News Releases

U.S. News & World Report ranks undergraduate nursing programs for the first-time ever. Baltimore, Md. – In the newly released 2022 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges,” the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program ranked No. 10 in the nation, out of 694 accredited nursing schools surveyed. Among public schools of nursing, UMSON ranked No. 4 in the nation. UMSON’s BSN program is the top-ranked such program in Maryland. UMSON’s BSN program, which encompasses an entry-into-nursing program in addition to an RN-to-BSN program for already licensed practicing nurses. The program prepares students to excel in nursing careers across a broad spectrum of acute, chronic, and community-based settings. National data indicates that employers increasingly prefer and, in some cases, require, a baccalaureate degree. Before beginning studies at UMSON, students must complete two years of undergraduate education at another accredited college or university, to fulfill the necessary prerequisites. In addition to serving practicing nurses seeking a BSN degree, UMSON’s RN-to-BSN program boasts dual-admission partnerships with all 15 community colleges in Maryland that offer an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, enabling a smooth transition for ADN students into UMSON’s BSN program.  “It is extremely gratifying to be recognized as one of the top baccalaureate programs in the nation,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “We are proud to play an important role in efforts within Maryland and throughout the country to increase the number of nurses educated at the baccalaureate level. With the increasing complexity of care and the variety of settings in which it is delivered, our graduates are extraordinarily well prepared to meet the current and future needs of our health care system and serve as a critical resource for individuals across the lifespan. The pandemic has brought new attention to the vital role that nurses play in every community and to increased interest in the nursing profession.” Rankings are based solely on the judgments of deans and senior faculty members of nursing schools and departments at institutions nationwide that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and that are regionally accredited and awarded at least 35 BSN degrees in 2018 - 19. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling more than 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics (SINI) offered its 30th annual conference virtually July 15-16 with the theme “Real-World Evidence and the Changing Landscape of Health Informatics.” With an undertone of celebrating its history, which is deeply entwined with the history of UMSON’s Nursing Informatics master’s program, SINI also focused on the future by reflecting on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barb Van de Castle, DNP ’14, ACNS, OCN, RN-BC, UMSON assistant professor and chair of this year’s institute, welcomed more than 200 participants from around the world and said she hoped SINI would serve “to nourish, to challenge, to stimulate, and stretch your thoughts.” Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, thanked the 17-member planning committee, comprising UMSON faculty and staff in addition to informatics academicians and clinicians from a variety of organizations, and welcomed all attendees. “The Summer Institute has a long and distinguished history of engaging both leaders in informatics and those who are new to the field,” she said. “The early days of nursing informatics were reflected in the shape of the earliest Summer Institutes.” She explained that UMSON was the first school in the world to offer a master’s specialty in nursing informatics, in 1988, followed by its groundbreaking offering of the world’s first PhD specialty in informatics, in 1991. “Today, as we think about the challenges facing nursing and health care systems, disparities are at the forefront,” she said, reinforcing a primary theme of the National Academy of Medicine’s recently released report, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. “Today’s informatics holds the promise of helping to address these disparities. It is an exciting and challenging time with tremendous opportunities and complex questions. This is nothing new for informatics.” Pictured, top: Jane Kirschling, Barbara Van de Castle, Patricia Brennan, Jianying Hu. Bottom: Eun-Shim Nahm, Polun Chang, Sayonara Barbosa. Read More

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has appointed Veronica Y. Amos, PhD, MS ’07, MS ’00, BSN ’99, CRNA, PHCNS-BC, assistant professor, as the director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program’s Nurse Anesthesia specialty. As specialty director, Amos is responsible for the overall curricular leadership of the DNP Nurse Anesthesia specialty, maintaining accreditation, and the academic success of the students in the specialty. The DNP Nurse Anesthesia specialty prepares students to provide anesthesia services to a diverse diagnostic and surgical population. Established more than 15 years ago, It was the first of its kind in Maryland and was top ranked for the entire period that U.S. News & World Report ranked such programs. In 2017, the program received special 10-year accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs for its 100% compliance with standards. Amos joined UMSON in 2011 as an assistant professor and the assistant director of the Nurse Anesthesia specialty. She is a certified registered nurse anesthetist who specializes in anesthesia for HIV-positive patients and has an anesthesia practice at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center (MSMHC), where she precepts students as they provide anesthesia for pediatric, cardiac, orthopedic, regional anesthesia, and pain management patients. She is also the DNP project advisor for students implementing their DNP project at MSMHC. “Having worked closely with Dr. Amos for many years, I am thrilled to have her leading the Nurse Anesthesia specialty at UMSON,” said Shannon K. Idzik, DNP ’10, MS ’03, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for the DNP program. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in curriculum leadership to the role.” Amos conducts research on patient safety and anesthesia for HIV-positive patients and was recently awarded a 2021 - 22 Dean’s Teaching Scholars Award, with UMSON colleagues, for the project “The Impact of High-Fidelity Simulation on Nurse Anesthesia Student’s Knowledge, Self-Confidence, and Psychomotor Skills: A Quasi-Experimental Design.” She is chair-elect of UMSON’s DNP Curriculum Committee. She’s been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including American Nurse Journal and Perianesthesia Nursing, and has spoken locally and nationally at nursing conferences for the National League of Nursing Conference, Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetist Conference, and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).  Amos has served on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists since 2014, including as president from 2018 - 19. During her presidency, she was instrumental in having two students join the board of directors to advocate for other students. She attends the AANA Mid-Year Conference on Capitol Hill and Maryland Lobby Days in Annapolis, Maryland, annually and encourages students to attend to see firsthand the impact advocacy has on the profession. On Aug. 14, she will be inducted as an inaugural Fellow of AANA during the organization’s Annual Congress, in Austin, Texas. As a Fellow, she will be recognized as one of the most accomplished leaders in the nurse anesthesia profession. Amos earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Albany in 1996. She then received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1999, her master’s degree in Community/Public Health Nursing in 2000, and her master’s degree in Nurse Anesthesia in 2007, all from UMSON. In addition, she earned her PhD in Health Policy from University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2002. Amos succeeds Joseph Pellegrini, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, the second director in the history of the Nurse Anesthesia specialty, who began serving in the role in 2011. “The program is the most selective specialty in the School and is also the most diverse, and Dr. Pellegrini should be proud of both of those accomplishments,” Idzik said. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Faculty awarded funds for completing or renewing their Certified Nurse Educator credential. Baltimore, Md. – Ten University of Maryland School of Nursing faculty members have received Academic Nurse Educator Certification (ANEC) Awards granted by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) through the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II. The faculty were each awarded the maximum amount of $5,000 for demonstrating excellence as an academic nurse educator through achieving the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential either through initial certification or recertification. The faculty are: Susan L. Bindon, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, CNE-cl, associate professor and associate dean for faculty development Tolvalyn Dennison, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, CNE, clinical Instructor Ann G. Hoffman, DNP, RN, CPN, CNE, assistant professor Maeve Howett, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program Maranda Jackson-Parkin, PhD, CRNP-BC, ACNP, CCNS, CCRN-K, CNE, assistant professor Tabitha Legambi, DNP, RN, CEN, CNE, assistant professor Sandra Lucci, PhD, RN, CNE, CMSRN, assistant professor Carol A. O'Neil, PhD, RN, CNE, associate professor Tonya Schneidereith, PhD, CRNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP-AC, CNE, CHSE-A, ANEF, FAAN, associate professor Rebecca Weston, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, assistant professor "We are truly grateful for the generous support provided to nurse faculty through the ANEC Awards and for the efforts of the Maryland Higher Education Commission to make this available to faculty," said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. "This year's cohort of 10 faculty recipients reflects four individuals who are newly credentialed as Certified Nurse Educators and six individuals who have successfully completed the requirements for recertification. The CNE credential is an important indicator of their shared commitment to excellence in teaching and I congratulate each of them on their accomplishment. Through their efforts they are ensuring that our students, the next generation of nurses, will be well-prepared to meet the needs of Maryland's residents."  The CNE credential establishes nursing education as a specialty area of practice and creates a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. It communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met. By becoming credentialed as a CNE, faculty serve as leaders and role models. Developed under the NSP II program, which is funded by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by MHEC at the request and with the guidance of the Maryland Council of Deans and Directors of Nursing Programs, the ANEC award program recognizes professionalism in support of ongoing faculty development requirements necessary to maintain the CNE credential. The awards are intended to assist Maryland nursing programs in recruiting and retaining nursing faculty to produce the additional nursing graduates required by Maryland’s hospitals and health systems. The award funds may be used to supplement the awardee’s salary; to pay for activities for professional development, including conference fees, travel, and expenses for speaking engagements; to pay professional dues, CNE examination fees, and continuing education expenses; or to assist with graduate education expenses, such as loan repayment.  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment. Top, l to r: Bindon, Dennison, Hoffman, Howett, and Jackson-Parkin. Bottom, l to r: Legambi, Lucci, O'Neil, Schneidereith, and Weston. 

Nearly 500 researchers from 24 countries joined an online conference to discuss these topics, as well as the impact of placebos on pain management and addiction, during the 3rd International Conference for the Society for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies (SIPS), hosted virtually by the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). SIPS was founded in June 2014 at the Brocher Foundation, a Swiss conference center on the shores of Lake Geneva. Researchers from around the world were attending a conference to discuss psychotherapy and the placebo effect. During an outdoor after-dinner wine reception one evening, the idea for the society arose among a group of 12 conference attendees, including Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, MS, professor, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, UMSON, and adjunct professor, Department of Anesthesiology, UMSOM, who would become a founding member. For several years, Colloca and UMB collaborators have studied the role of placebo mechanisms for optimal pain management and treatment of alcohol and drug use disorders. She and other researchers believe placebo effects are a way to reduce health care’s reliance on addictive opioids and that the brain’s own power may be a solution to the opioid crisis. In 2018, she offered a TEDx talk at UMB on the topic “Are Placebos the Solution? Tackling the Opioid Epidemic in the Decades Ahead. Read More

Resnick is the first non-physician to be recognized with the Dodd Award.  Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor, Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, and co-director of UMSON’s Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan Organized Research Center, has been named the recipient of the 2021 William Dodd Founder’s Award for Distinguished Service. The award was bestowed by AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (formerly known as the American Medical Directors Association) at the organization’s 2021 conference on March 11. Resnick is the first non-physician to be honored with the Dodd Award. “I was truly speechless after hearing I was selected as the 2021 Dodd Award recipient,” said Resnick. “The award, in honor and memory of Dr. Dodd who helped established AMDA back in 1978, recognizes individuals who have facilitated the work of the organization. AMDA has changed since 1978 in name, in the inclusion of non-physician providers, and has helped to defend, support, and help increase the number and quality of long-term care providers across all disciplines. As the first non-physician recipient of this award, I have to say I am so proud to be a long-standing member of the organization and to have had the opportunity to work on so many initiatives within AMDA that include and benefit all members of the team.”  The Dodd award recognizes significant contributions by those individuals who contribute to the organizational strength, image, and mission of the Society to promote medical direction and physician services in long-term care and advance the Society’s goals to improve the care delivered to patients throughout the long-term care spectrum. Resnick has worked as a member of AMDA’s Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) Steering Committee since 1998 and participated in the development and revision of many CPGs. She has been a Foundation board member since 2006 and served as its chair from 2017 - 19. Resnick has been practicing in long-term care for more than 40 years starting first as a nursing assistant, then as a nurse, and since the 1980s as a geriatric nurse practitioner. Both her ongoing clinical practice and her nationally and internationally recognized research has focused on the care of older adults, particularly with regard to optimizing health, function, and physical activity. Findings from her work have shown that by changing how care is provided to older adults, they can maintain or improve function and physical activity, decreasing falls and transfers to acute care settings, improving mood, and decreasing behavioral symptoms.   “We congratulate Dr. Resnick on this wonderful and well-deserved honor. Her body of work as a researcher has significantly influenced practice across care settings,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “As a clinician, teacher, and researcher, she continues to move the field of gerontology forward. It is a testament to her deep and longstanding commitment to advancing practice, shaping health policy, and improving the lives of countless individuals.” AMDA represents a community of medical directors, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other practitioners working in various post-acute and long-term care settings. The society’s 5,500 members work in skilled nursing facilities, long-term care and assisted living communities, home care, hospice, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and other settings. The Society’s Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine oversees awards, community outreach, education, and research with the mission to advance the quality of life for persons in post-acute and long-term care through inspiring, educating, and recognizing future and current health care professionals. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Elizabeth Galik, PhD ’07, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor, has been appointed the chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. She succeeds Kathleen Michael, PhD, RN, CRRN, associate professor, who retired in March, after five years as chair and almost 20 years of service to the School of Nursing and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.  In her role as chair, Galik is responsible for promoting the achievement of academic, research and scholarship, service, and practice initiatives throughout the department. This includes hiring and developing faculty and staff and mentoring, advocating, and fostering their ongoing success. “I have been fortunate to serve as a faculty member in the Department of Organization Systems and Adult Health throughout my academic career and have learned about leadership and management from Dr. Michael and other department chairs,” Galik says. “I look forward to providing mentorship, guidance, and support to the faculty and staff as they work to enact the strategic initiatives of the school and facilitating their professional growth.” Galik joined UMSON as a clinical instructor in 2006 and was promoted to assistant professor in 2007 and then to associate professor with tenure in 2013. She attained the rank of professor with tenure in 2018. She teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty and conducts research designed to optimize function and physical activity and to effectively manage behavioral symptoms among older adults with dementia. Galik has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP), the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), and the Gerontological Society of America (FGSA).   “We congratulate Dr. Galik on her appointment as chair of the department,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “She brings extensive experience as a faculty member, having taught undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, and having served as an advisor and dissertation chair for PhD students. Her externally funded research has resulted in more than 100 manuscripts and 30 book chapters, as well as over 175 refereed and invited presentations for nursing and interdisciplinary audiences. The breadth and depth of her teaching, scholarship, and practice has prepared her extremely well for this new role. I am confident that she will build on the legacy of Dr. Michael’s leadership, support the ongoing contributions of the department, and foster its continued growth and development.” Galik holds a PhD from UMSON, a Master of Science in Nursing from Villanova University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her role as professor and chair, Galik is a certified adult nurse practitioner specializing in the medical and neuropsychiatric care of older adults with dementia. Through a clinical practice with the Sheppard Pratt health system, she provides patient care to older adults and their caregivers in long-term care communities. Galik has also developed a house call practice for dementia symptom management. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

After Ibram X. Kendi, PhD, MA, talked to a University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) audience about his book “How to Be an Antiracist” in February, UMB leaders decided to continue the conversation by sponsoring discussions about the book and its topic. Four of the discussion facilitators took turns talking about their sessions and the feedback they received from participants during the June 17 edition of Virtual Face to Face with President Bruce Jarrell. Among the key takeaways was that UMB needs to continue its conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and anti-racism, while striving to be proactive in assessing and addressing these issues in the University’s policies and practices of the past, present, and future. (clockwise from top left) Tyrone Roper, Roger Ward, Diane Forbes Berthoud, Rosemary Ferreira, Cherita Adams, and Elisa Medina “We are an action-oriented institution, and we absolutely want to be more of an action-oriented institution on the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, interim provost, executive vice president, and dean of the University of Maryland Graduate School, who was the guest host in place of UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS. “We’ve been having great conversations around this topic, and those conversations should continue after today’s program, because we are on this journey together.” The book club discussions were organized by Nicole Palmore, MSW, director of diversity and inclusion at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, and included about 150 UMB students, staff, and employees including 19 facilitators (see list below). Each facilitator met with their group at least two times to discuss Kendi’s book and generate ideas for UMB to combat racism. Read More

Nurses play a key role in applying lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating the impacts caused by social determinants of health, according to two keynote speakers at the 2021 Maryland Action Coalition (MDAC) Virtual Leadership Summit, hosted by the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON). The theme of the annual conference: “Meeting Challenges Head On: Maryland Nurses Respond.” Keynote speakers Brian C. Castrucci and Susan Hassmiller. "We've all lived through a year and a half of COVID. And people always ask, why is COVID so much worse in the United States than it is elsewhere? I suggest that COVID was the match, and we provided a whole lot of kindling for it with our decisions,” offered Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA, president and chief executive officer of the de Beaumont Foundation in his keynote address, “Skills and Perspectives that Nurses Need to Lead a Post-Pandemic Public Health Renaissance.”  “There are policy decisions that we've made over the past at least two decades, if not past 400 years, that really impacted how COVID played out in the United States,” said Castrucci, whose parents were emergency room nurses. MDAC strives to improve health care by implementing recommendations set forth in the landmark report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, released in 2010 by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The report addressed the challenges facing the nursing profession, in particular the need to prepare the nursing workforce to provide excellent care to an increasingly diverse and aging population, within a rapidly changing health care system. MDAC was formed in 2011 in response to the report. Read More

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has named Susan L. Bindon, DNP ’11, MS ’96, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, CNE-cl, associate professor, as the associate dean for faculty development, a new role to UMSON. Filling Bindon’s previous role, Renee Franquiz, DNP ’16, MS ’90, BSN ’85, RN, CNE, assistant professor, has been named the director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Post-Master’s option. As associate dean for faculty development, Bindon will work collaboratively with department chairs, academic deans, and others to support faculty in further developing their teaching and scholarship and to help facilitate students’ learning across various modalities and settings. Bindon, who teaches in UMSON’s Institute for Educators, joined UMSON in 2011 as an assistant professor. In 2018, she became the director of the DNP Post-Master’s option, and in 2019 she was promoted to associate professor. She also maintains a faculty practice in nursing professional development at the University of Maryland Medical Center and manages a statewide Nurse Support Program II grant focused on developing clinical nursing faculty.  Bindon presents regularly and has authored articles and book chapters on professional development, leadership, and online learning. She was recognized with the 2016 Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Award from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the 2019 Emerging Leader in Nursing Education Award from the Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing. She was named president-elect of the Association for Nursing Professional Development in spring 2019 and assumed the role of president in May 2020. She earned a DNP, master’s degree, and post-graduate teaching certificate from UMSON and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh. “Dr. Bindon is ideally suited to serve as the inaugural associate dean for faculty development; she has distinguished herself through her dedication to teaching excellence and the development of innovative approaches,” said Jane M. Kirschling, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “She has a unique ability to guide and coach others towards a vision of enhanced student engagement and improved learning, providing expert guidance on evidence-based practices for transforming the classroom, clinical, and online learning experiences. Her many skills and abilities will serve her well in her new role.” As the director of the DNP Post-Master’s option, Franquiz will work in conjunction with the associate dean and senior director for the DNP program and to lead the administrative and academic aspects of the option, with an emphasis on curricular leadership and faculty guidance to ensure that all standards related to the program are maintained. Franquiz, who joined UMSON in 2016 as an assistant professor, has over 40 years of nursing experience, working clinically in pediatric acute care with advanced practice as a clinical nurse specialist. Over the past 17 years, she has held faculty positions in numerous Maryland nursing schools, leading and teaching in both graduate and undergraduate programs. She serves as an outside consultant to Ascend Learning, providing content-matter expertise for nursing educational software. She most recently contributed to the development of web-based nursing program accreditation management software to guide self-studies and demonstrate institutional effectiveness, as required by national accrediting agencies. “Franquiz is a vision-minded person who embraces innovation and brings a breadth of experience in nursing and leadership in academia,” said Shannon K. Idzik, DNP ’10, MS ’03, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for the DNP program. “In addition to her many positive qualities, her communication skills and problem-solving abilities give her the skills to lead the DNP Post-Master’s option into the future.” ###  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Jane Lipscomb served at UMSON for two decades Baltimore, Md. – Jane Lipscomb, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been appointed professor emerita by the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS. Lipscomb served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) for 20 years, after a distinguished career in occupational health. She retired in June 2017. Emeritus status may be awarded to a retired faculty member who has made significant and extraordinary contributions through excellent teaching, scholarship, or service; such designations must be approved by the President of the University. Lipscomb’s early academic career was at the UCLA School of Nursing, as an assistant professor and director of occupational health nursing and subsequently as an assistant professor and director of the Occupational Health program at the University of California San Francisco School of Nursing. Immediately prior to joining UMSON in 1997, she served as a senior scientist for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for three years. Lipscomb joined UMSON as an associate professor and was appointed professor in 2004; beginning in 2009, she also held a secondary appointment as professor in the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She served as the founding director of UMB’s Center for Community Based Engagement and Learning from 2013 until her retirement.  “We congratulate Dr. Lipscomb on the honor of being named professor emerita. Throughout her career, she was known for her research and exceptional teaching and mentoring of students,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “Dr. Lipscomb’s international standing as a researcher and scientist was further affirmed when she was named a Fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini, an international academy of experts in occupational and environmental health committed to linking scientific discovery and social policy. We look forward to her continued engagement with the School of Nursing in her retirement.” Lipscomb has been recognized nationally and internationally for her research on workplace violence and the prevention of occupational injuries and illness. She has served numerous organizations as a consultant on issues of environmental health and workplace violence, including the Veterans Health Administration, the Pan American Health Organization, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  Lipscomb taught countless students in nursing and public health courses across the University and mentored many who have gone on to become the next generation of researchers, scholars, and teachers. She authored more than 80 articles and book chapters and served as the principal investigator or co-investigator on more than 20 research grants, with funding exceeding $12.6 million. ###  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Institute designed for academic nursing leadership committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion  Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s Bimbola F. Akintade, PhD ’11, MS ’05, MBA, MHA, BSN ’03, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP, associate professor and associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing program, and Vanessa P. Fahie, PhD ’94, BSN ’76, assistant professor, have been selected to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s 2021 Diversity Leadership Institute. The Diversity Leadership Institute provides an overview of diversity and inclusion efforts and the role of diversity officers in academic nursing and nursing practice. It frames diversity within the context of higher education and academic nursing while presenting high-involvement diversity practices for teams and leaders. The institute’s program, offered virtually, started at the end of January and will conclude on June 17, 2021. Akintade, who was appointed to the DNPs of Color inaugural board of directors in 2020, has 19 years of clinical experience in trauma and critical care and is aware of how serving the health care needs of diverse patients requires a diverse nursing workforce. “This experience will help maximize my potential as I provide vision and leadership for academic excellence in a collegial atmosphere within the context of UMSON’s mission and strategic initiatives; mentor faculty members in their role as educators; and demonstrate sound decision-making, strong managerial and effective communication skills, and a commitment to diversity,” he said.  Fahie has 26 years of experience designing and managing pipeline programs to increase the number of nurses from backgrounds underrepresented in the nursing workforce. She has created partnerships with educational institutions at all levels as well as professional nursing organizations to prepare the next generation of nurse leaders and scholars. She has mentored numerous faculty and students who have earned graduate degrees and are nurse educators, advanced practice nurses, nursing and public health administrators, and researchers.    “As I continue my diversity, equity and inclusion journey, knowledge gained from the Diversity Leadership Institute affords me the opportunity to build skills and capacity to engage stakeholders in crucial conversations; share strategies for promoting equity for faculty, staff, and students; and make excellence inclusive at the UMSON,” she said  The institute aims to enhance professional knowledge and experience to stimulate strategic thinking and advance outcomes at participants’ home institutions. It focuses on increasing self-awareness while building skills and capacity to engage with discussions and issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. The program requires participants to develop a diversity plan specifically tailored to their organization. Upon completion of the program, participants will present their plan, describing how they will apply their work in their respective organizations. At UMSON, where diversity is a source of strength and innovation, 53% of UMSON students identify as members of minority ethnic/racial groups, while nationally, nurses from minority backgrounds represent just 19.2% of the registered nurse workforce.  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Smiles. Applause. Photos reflecting on the past year. All of these were part and parcel of a traditional commencement ceremony for the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) held in quite a non-traditional time. “Although each graduation ceremony is momentous, this is now the third virtual conferral of degrees in our 132-year history,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, as she welcomed graduates and their families to a May 20 virtual ceremony. “I am certain that we will always remember how we gathered to recognize the many accomplishments and achievements of our spring 2021 graduates. It goes without saying that nursing, at its very core, is a profession marked by a deep dedication and commitment to ensuring the health, the safety, and the well-being of our patients and our communities. However, the events of the past 14 months, our national and global struggle to combat COVID-19 give additional meaning to this dedication.” The last year, Kirschling said, is “a reminder that nursing does not have the opportunity to pick and choose its moments of service. But rather, it must always be on the ready to respond.” Despite the challenges of a global pandemic, 447 nursing degrees and certificates were conferred, including 212 bachelor’s degrees, 92 master's degrees, 12 certificates, and 131 Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. Kirschling thanked those who have worked on the front lines of the pandemic, and in particular the 442 students who chose the early exit option in 2020 and 2021 and those students who have volunteered to serve in other capacities. “And to all of our students, you have successfully persevered during a difficult time, completed your studies, and earned your degree. All while balancing multiple demands and stressors. You have my deepest respect and that of all of us for your efforts and your hard work,” she said. Read More

During their presentation, the fellows first provided background information on health literacy as a national issue. They explained that about 36 percent of U.S. adults have below-basic health literacy levels, which is the cause of between 7 and 17 percent of all national health expenditures. The fellows used several methods to research the most effective ways to implement change to improve health literacy including literature review, faculty interviews and questionnaires, student surveys, assessments of current practices in curricula and learning environments, and development of recommendations. From this research the fellows had several main takeaways. Although health literacy representation could be found in dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and social work, health literacy interventions were not common nor standardized across the professional fields.  “In many cases, we found the education in health literacy was standalone and didn't involve interaction across professions,” explained Sonia Galvan, a first-year student in the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “This is a missed opportunity for expanding health literacy education and demonstrating its place in professional collaborative relationships through interprofessional practice.” Participating Fellows: Alice Lu, Fourth-Year Student, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Dominique Gelmann, Third-Year Student, University of Maryland School of Medicine Elisabeth Fassas, Second-Year Student, University of Maryland School of Medicine Henry Inegbenosun, Fourth-Year Student, University of Maryland School of Nursing Jocelyn Wang, Second-Year Student, University of Maryland School of Law Karen Jung, Second-Year Student, University of Maryland School of Dentistry Kelsie Challenger, Student, University of Maryland, College Park Sakiera Malone, Second-Year Student, University of Maryland School of Social Work Sonia Galvan, First-Year Student, University of Maryland School of Nursing Read More

A good deal of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) energy is focused on building collaborations between education and practice, developing pathways for new and experienced nurses both to succeed as a member of the ever-growing nursing workforce and to contribute to improving patient outcomes when they step outside of the classroom (whether physical or virtual). Many of these efforts are undertaken with the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) and especially the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), UMSON’s practice partner just across Lombard Street. In 2016, Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD ’03, RN, FAAN, professor and director of UMSON’s Nursing Informatics Master of Science in Nursing and certificate programs, and Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, associate professor and then-associate dean for the baccalaureate program, received a more than $250,000, three-year Nurse Support Program (NSP) II planning grant, funded by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, that aimed to prepare RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates with advanced knowledge and skills in care coordination supported by health information technology (CC-HIT). Recognizing that care coordination is becoming an increasingly essential component of nursing education, Nahm and Trocky developed a CC-HIT focus area to supplement the existing RN-to-BSN curriculum, utilizing elective credits to allow students to graduate with an area of specialization without adding time or money to their BSN education. The focus area allows students to explore how health information technology can facilitate the organization of patient care activities and information sharing among all providers to achieve safer and more effective patient-centered care. “The U.S. health care system has become more complex, and the demand for health care services has skyrocketed,” Nahm says. “To meet this demand, nurses must be able to deliver well-coordinated care utilizing available resources effectively. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s new Essentials for nursing education highlighted this aspect and named care coordination as an essential component of nursing education.” In addition to educating nursing students about care coordination, the grant addressed the critical need to deliver continuing education about care coordination’s role in the rapidly changing health care landscape — such as value-based care and population health — to practicing nurses at UMSON’s partner health care institutions. The grant team then developed a draft care coordination toolkit for edX, a platform for open online courses. The toolkit included 10 short online learning modules on selected topics related to patient-centered care coordination and population health. At the same time, the team identified ways to support faculty members to grow their expertise in care coordination and population health. Then, last July, Nahm received a follow-up $1.3 million, five-year NSP II implementation grant, titled “Care Coordination Education to Practice Scale Up,” to promote care coordination and patient-centered care across Maryland hospitals while continuing to expand the RN-to-BSN CC-HIT focus area and courses. The goal is to create a collaboration model, the UMNursing Care Coordination Implementation Collaborative (CCIC), a joint effort between UMSON and UMMS hospitals. It builds off of the existing structure of UMNursing, a partnership that capitalizes on the shared strengths and resources of UMSON and UMMC to promote innovative opportunities for research, practice, and education to optimize health care outcomes. With co-directors Mary Etta Mills, ScD, MS ’73, BSN ’71, RN, FAAN, professor, and Greg Raymond, DNP ’18, MS ’10, MBA, BSN ’05, RN, NEA-BC, vice president of nursing and patient care services at UMMC, in addition to UMSON faculty and staff and UMMS nurse leaders, the grant team’s goals include: establishing a UMNursing CCIC infrastructure providing students and practicing nurses with knowledge and skills in care coordination facilitating quality improvement projects in care coordination and patient-centered care. “Having a vibrant academic-practice partnership is critical as we prepare the next generation of nurses, as well as the current nursing workforce, to meet our evolving health care needs,” says Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “This includes the need for exquisite care coordination. The efforts of Drs. Greg Raymond, Eun-Shim Nahm, and Mary Etta Mills to design and implement care coordination and patient-centered care across Maryland hospitals exemplifies how collaboration between nursing education and practice truly has a positive impact on patient outcomes.” The team plans to assess the impact of the project on selected patient, nursing practice, and nursing education outcomes by comparing baseline data with data at various follow-up points. Metrics include: Education Outcomes the number of students who complete the CC-HIT focus area (with a special emphasis on community college students who complete the RN-to-BSN program as part of UMSON’s Dual-Admission Partnerships with all 15 community colleges in Maryland that offer an Associate Degree in Nursing program) the number of graduates who complete the CC-HIT focus area and then serve as care coordinators and/or preceptors in the area of specialty new practicum opportunities in care coordination and population health Patient Outcomes UMMS patient experience with care coordination 30-day unplanned hospital readmission rates Nursing Practice Outcomes the number of nurses who take advantage of the edX modules a change in care coordination or case management certification rates nurses' care coordination competency and job satisfaction. “Despite the importance of quality of nursing care on patient outcomes, there have been few studies demonstrating the impact of nursing education on them,” Nahm says. “The UMNursing CCIC project is designed to fill this gap by focusing on building care coordination capacity in both nursing education and practice settings and capturing its impact on patient outcomes.” The grant team continues to plan, meet milestones, and move the needle in education-practice collaboration related to care coordination around four organizational cores: administration, education, evaluation/quality improvement, and dissemination. Key among the accomplishments is curriculum revision to and increased offerings in care coordination courses at UMSON and development and testing of data infrastructure and collection processes. The edX care coordination toolkit will be officially launched shortly as “Connecting and Coordinating Person-Centered Care,” now with a dozen short modules for clinical nurses.

Breaking ground for a new way forward. That was the theme of the 2021 State of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, encapsulating “our exceptional efforts as a School and as a team during this pandemic,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, during the pre-recorded address. “This is the first time we have held a virtual State of the School, but given the past 13 months, this is not the first virtual event for any of us,” Kirschling said. During the address, she focused on all that the School has accomplished and what its faculty, staff, and students have learned during the past year, then commented on how the School can harness this to shape its path forward. The 2020 State of the School address was canceled in spring 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Read More

Baltimore, Md. - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s request, and UMSON’s assessment of students’ readiness, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) for the third time has approved an early exit for entry-into-nursing students who are scheduled to graduate on May 20, 2021. In an effort to bolster the nursing workforce, students approved for an early exit can begin working as nursing graduates. All 172 graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students exited early on April 23, provided they had successfully completed spring courses. And 13 graduating entry-into-nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s students took the option to exit as early as April 23. To be eligible for the early-exit option, CNL students had to meet specific GPA and academic program requirements. According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey published in the Journal of Nursing, one in five registered nurse (RN) respondents plans to retire or leave nursing in the next five years. In addition, Nursing Solutions Inc.’s 2021 National Health Care Retention and RN Staffing Report found that in 2020, turnover rate for hospital staff RNs increased by 2.8% to 18.7%. “The U.S. health care system needs to be prepared for large numbers of nurses leaving the profession in the near future,” explained Becky Wiseman, PhD, RN, associate professor, chair of the School of Nursing at the Universities at Shady Grove, and director of the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center. “Health care agencies within the state are anticipating upcoming shortages and are taking steps to recruit and orient new nursing graduates. New nursing graduates will be an important strategy to meet the current and anticipated workforce needs.” The School of Nursing has collaborated with the chief nursing officers of local major hospital systems such as the University of Maryland Medical System, the Johns Hopkins Health System, MedStar Health, Anne Arundel Medical Center (Luminis Health), and Holy Cross Health, and ascertained their need for and interest in hiring nursing graduates. Students who are exiting early have been encouraged to pursue nursing graduate positions at these and other employers to support the state’s health care systems through the pandemic. “We are committed to continuing to partner with Maryland’s health care systems to support them in meeting the needs of our state,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “Now in its third iteration, our early-exit option has been a vital source of new nursing graduates for Maryland’s nursing workforce, which has served bravely on the frontlines of this pandemic for more than 13 months. I am extremely proud of our entry-into-practice students for their willingness join this effort, and I applaud all of our students for their resiliency and persevering in their studies during this tumultuous time. I also salute those who have served in volunteer capacities or continued as practicing nurses while pursuing further education. Maryland is well served by all of these truly dedicated individuals.”  UMSON will provide a letter to participating students that they can in turn provide to prospective employers stating that they have met all the program requirements and have qualified for and taken an early-exit option from UMSON. UMSON had a combined 200 BSN students and 57 CNL students exit early in spring and fall 2020. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Writing in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology, researchers from Rice University caution that the effects of grief, particularly long-term or “complicated grief,” may be as physically damaging as any disease. Among the list of grief-induced maladies are trouble sleeping, higher blood pressure, depression, even serious inflammation. So, what is to be done? We have experienced loss, but the experience is not over. How can we process our loss, make sense of it, or at least reconcile it so we can move forward and live the best lives we can? And what can we do for our patients, colleagues, and families to help them? On the April 22 edition of Virtual Face to Face with President Bruce Jarrell, substitute host and the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, explored these issues with two guest experts. Rev. Susan Carole Roy, DMin, BCC, is director of pastoral care services at the University of Maryland Medical Center.  READ MORE

Baltimore, Md. – This fall, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will become the first nursing school in the nation to offer a post-bachelor’s certificate in Substance Use and Addictions Nursing. The 12-credit graduate certificate, designed for registered and advanced practice registered nurses, will be offered online with a 90-hour clinical practicum in the student’s own location. Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a leading cause of death in the United States and in Maryland, which ranked No. 4 in the nation for drug overdose death rate in 2019. And the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue, according to the Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) and the Maryland Department of Health's (MDH) 2020 Annual Report. There was a 16.6% increase in unintentional intoxication deaths involving all types of drugs and alcohol in Maryland from 2019 - 20, with the pandemic contributing greatly to the increase. Across the country, COVID-19 has disrupted treatment and recovery support systems and has led to economic stress, despair, and uncertainty, especially among vulnerable populations, the OOCC and MDH stated. The Substance Use and Addictions Nursing certificate prepares nurses to care for individuals, families, and communities affected by addictions across all practice settings; take on leadership roles in addictions nursing; and develop professionally, by building a career portfolio. It also facilitates their certification as addictions nurses and offers nurses specialized, focused education to address the complexities related to substance use and addictions. “My vision for this program started when I worked in the ER, early in the opioid epidemic, and later in behavioral health, where I experienced firsthand the need for nurses to know how to address addictions,” said Victoria L. Selby, PhD ’17, MS ’09, BSN ’06, CRNP-PMH, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, assistant professor and director, Substance Use and Addictions Nursing Certificate program. “These patients were someone’s child, parent, their best friend – people with lives, dreams, and families. So, with a team of like-minded faculty, this program was not only built on facts and evidence, but also on the idea that nurses touch lives and can make a difference.”  Certificate students will receive evidence-based education to increase their understanding of addictions and prevention, screening and treatment, and provision of quality care. “I am extremely pleased that we are able to offer this new certificate for nurses; it is the first of its kind in the nation. We all know the central role nurses play in caring for individuals, families, and communities; increasingly, a solid understanding of addictions nursing is needed in order to deliver truly comprehensive care across settings,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “UMSON has a more than 65-year history of excellence in psychiatric mental health nursing and has always been on the cutting edge of meeting the needs of our society. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their work in leading nursing’s response to substance use disorders and addictions. This certificate will be a tremendous contribution to the field.” The Substance Use and Addictions Nursing Certificate was developed with assistance from a Nurse Support Program (NSP) II grant, funded through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Students in the program are eligible to apply for federal financial aid. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

On Wednesday, April 7, Caprese Wilson was working her regular job as a construction worker in the Poppleton neighborhood of West Baltimore. Just as she was taking off her hard hat for a break, a group of women wearing colorful scrubs and carrying clipboards rounded the corner and asked if she would like to get signed up for the COVID-19 vaccine. After weeks of trying to get an appointment at one of the mass vaccination clinics, Wilson was overjoyed to talk to a live person and get an appointment for the vaccine. “This is so great!” she said after confirming her vaccine appointment. “It has been so difficult finding a time slot and they came right up to me on my lunch break and just handed one to me. This is something that everybody needs.” Maddie Boyes, RN (right), and Hayley Carper, RN (center), two students at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, help William Lipmann, a West Baltimore community member, get registered for a vaccine appointment. Wilson has seen firsthand how essential the vaccine is to fighting the pandemic. Early this year, her father nearly died after being diagnosed with COVID-19. “This vaccine is so important for everyone to protect not only themselves, but everybody else around,” she said. “Not just essential workers or older people, but everybody. People need to stay safe because it is not a joke.” The group of women who signed up Wilson are students at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON). Led by Kelly Doran, PhD, RN, an associate professor at UMSON, this group has been working with members of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Community Engagement Center (CEC) to canvass the surrounding neighborhoods and get every Baltimore community member they meet an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. “We’re finding that it’s not that people in West Baltimore don’t want to get vaccinated, it’s that the process of getting signed up is confusing,” says Doran, who also is the director of health and wellness at UMB’s CEC. “There are multiple websites you can sign up on, some people don’t have internet access, they don’t know what number to call, or they just need somebody to sit with them and answer their question. I think it’s really important to make that human connection to help people get vaccinated so we can keep everybody safe.” Read More

By Mary Therese Phelan While many would describe the past year with words such as challenging, difficult, lonely, and fearful, that only paints a partial picture for University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty, staff, and students, who, in the midst of the chaos of a pandemic year, found adaptive, flexible, resourceful, and innovative ways to continue working and learning. Stay-at-home orders in March 2020 left everyone suspended in freeze-frame fashion, emptying offices and classrooms on extremely short notice. Remote learning and telework, first thought to be needed only for the short term, soon became a way of life for the UMSON community. Yet, even as the world stood still in one sense, to maintain the rigorous standards required for educating the state’s nursing workforce, UMSON discovered new paths forward. After all, 2020 was not only the year of a global pandemic, as designated by the World Health Organization, it was also the International Year of the Nurse. A look back at a year like no other: New Ways of Learning The need to maintain safety protocols meant quick-thinking faculty and staff had to determine new ways to adapt to a changing educational landscape nearly overnight. How do students participate in remote instruction and stay engaged with their peers and teachers? How do educators keep content fresh and teach critical nursing skills that are typically taught in person? COVID-19 put a halt to clinical placements, environments where students typically learn essential skills through interactions with patients under the supervision of a faculty member. University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) guidelines put in place on March 21 informed students that all in-person experiential learning activities with patients and clients were to be halted and converted to virtual activities such as distance simulation. UMSON purchased high-fidelity software that simulates patient care in 3-D modeling, providing students at all levels with learning experiences similar to virtual reality alternatives, but with no special glasses needed. Similar software programs are used for military, surgical, and submarine training. The software, on three different platforms, vSim for Nursing, I-Human Patients, and DocuCare, simulates nursing scenarios using virtual patient encounters. Herculean efforts by faculty, staff, and partner institutions resulted in reopening the doors to experiential learning by the start of UMSON’s 2020 summer semester. With a host of safety protocols in place, students were participating in face-to-face simulation and in clinical experiences at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). While participating in clinicals, students did not have contact with any COVID-19 positive patients. In addition, the school worked to ensure that students had appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), supplied by UMSON and participating partner health care institutions. Students were required to be “fit tested” to make sure their PPE fit properly. They also learned “donning and doffing” techniques to make sure they knew how to safely put on and take off the equipment. “Nursing education has to be hands on. You can’t do it from a distance, at least at these levels,” Larry Fillian, MEd, associate dean for student and academic services, had said. Because UMSON already places a strong emphasis on the value of experiential learning in simulated environments as critical to preparing a skilled nursing workforce and to improving health care outcomes, with 28 state-of-the-art simulation labs between its Baltimore and Universities at Shady Grove locations, “we are in a better position than a lot of other schools of nursing,” Maeve Howett, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, professor and associate dean for baccalaureate education, said at the time. By early June, students had returned to in-person instruction in UMSON’s Clinical Simulation Labs, which reopened with adherence to strict safety protocols under the direction of Amy L. Daniels, PhD ’18, MS ’12, BSN ’89, RN, CHSE, assistant professor and director of the Clinical Simulation Labs. UMSON coordinated extensively with UMB’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety regarding protocols for cleaning the simulation labs between each session and with the Office of Facilities and Operations to map out the number of people permitted in an area at a time and to determine the proper PPE for that specific space. Students also returned to experiential learning through virtual standardized patient simulation, allowing them to gain clinical experience through a variety of communication-based and physical exam simulations at a time when such instruction at partner health care institutions was on hold due to the pandemic. In December 2020, as the pandemic continued to impact nursing education­ and in response to Hogan’s request that nursing programs encourage student engagement in caring for hospitalized COVID-19 patients and in assisting with COVID-19 screenings and vaccines, UMSON strongly encouraged its entry-into-practice students scheduled to graduate in spring 2021 to begin participating in clinical experiences and community/public health rotations as soon as possible, before the Jan. 28 start of the spring 2021 semester. This voluntary option was offered to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s option students, as the second large surge of COVID-19 patients affected nurse staffing at UMSON’s partner agencies and institutions. “I thank the University of Maryland School of Nursing leadership and its students for stepping up and demonstrating their continued active commitment to service in the midst of this pandemic,” said James D. Fielder Jr., PhD, secretary of higher education, Maryland Higher Education Commission. “The opportunities for students to accelerate their academic schedule in order to actively contribute during the current COVID-19 surge is deeply appreciated. The state of Maryland thanks you.” In all, 65 BSN and 13 CNL students participated in the early clinical experiences. Early Exit In April 2020, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan requested the state’s nursing school graduates be offered an “early exit” option in an effort to bolster the nursing workforce during the pandemic. The governor’s request, combined with UMSON’s assessment of students’ readiness, resulted in an early-exit option being made available to select students in the entry-into-practice BSN program and CNL master’s option who were scheduled to graduate in May 2020. As a result, 62 BSN and 45 CNL students took advantage of the early-exit option to begin their professional nursing careers. The School of Nursing collaborated with the chief nursing officers of major hospital systems and ascertained their need for and interest in hiring nursing graduates and designed a protocol for linking UMSON’s early-exit students to these institutions, which in addition to the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) and Johns Hopkins Medicine included MedStar Health, Holy Cross Health, and Shady Grove Adventist. “The UMSON students opting into our early-exit option are well prepared and fully equipped to make a major contribution through their service as nursing graduates. I salute those students eligible and willing to serve under this unique initiative,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. In November 2020, based on the success of the first offer of the early-exit option and in response to the pandemic’s widespread community transmission across the state, Hogan again requested qualified entry-into-nursing students ready to graduate in December be offered an early-exit option to enter the workforce. All 138 graduating BSN students exited early on Nov. 30, provided successful completion of fall courses. Graduating CNL students were also given the option to exit upon meeting specific GPA and academic program requirements. In all, 150 students exited early. A Shot of Hope: Vaccines In January 2021, a dozen CNL students began administering Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines at the UMB Southern Management Corporation (SMC) Campus Center, where officials from UMMC, UMMS, and UMB established a fully operational clinic for health care workers and other front-line personnel. The students, who were participating early in their spring 2021 community/public health clinical rotation, were required to do 14 hours over several shifts at the clinic, but once they met their commitment, they were welcome to work as many shifts as they wanted or were able to in a voluntary capacity. Under faculty supervision, the experience allowed students to gain hands-on training while assisting in curbing the spread of the pandemic. “The School of Nursing gave us this option, given the need for skilled staff on the front lines and uncertainty around the availability of clinical sites in the spring 2021 semester,” said CNL student Kelly Doss, BA. “At the same time, the School began reaching out to us about the possibility of helping with COVID-19 vaccination efforts. I was excited to potentially contribute to this effort.” In March 2021, UMB took over management of the SMC vaccination clinic, now overseen by Kirschling and staffed by volunteers made up of UMB faculty and staff, UMB’s Office of Emergency Management, and students University-wide. “We know that we need to get as many people vaccinated as possible in order to get to the other side of this pandemic,” Kirschling said. “To have our students be able to play such an essential role in this process means a great deal. Especially because we’re also giving back to the community in the process, which is so important.” The clinic is open for appointment only to Baltimore City residents who have been referred by the Baltimore City Health Department (BHCD) as well as eligible faculty, staff, and students from UMB and UMMC. The central position of the SMC Campus Center provides a convenient location for West Baltimore residents to get vaccinated and an opportunity for students to get clinical experience. Organizers of the clinic are working to collaborate with several local organizations to reach specific, at-risk populations in the Baltimore area. These organizations include the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Esperanza Center to reach Spanish-speaking individuals, and the Indian Health Service to reach individuals of Native American descent. In addition, UMB’s Community Engagement Center has started a canvassing effort to help West Baltimore residents get signed up for the vaccine through the BCHD website. Pomp Under Unusual Circumstances On May 14, 2020, UMSON held its first virtual degree conferral ceremony in its 131-year history, allowing graduates, their guests, faculty, and staff to mark the occasion in a celebratory but safe way. The unique ceremony included a photo montage of May graduates, an address by Kirschling, the conferral of degrees by UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, and a recitation of the professional nursing pledge. In what has become a familiar scene to anyone working or learning from home during the pandemic, UMSON faculty and administrators also took part in the ceremony, visible in each of their own screens, dressed in full graduation regalia. Associate deans offered congratulatory remarks and expressed hopes for celebrating the students’ accomplishments at an in-person ceremony one day. The virtual program was watched by more than 1,100 graduates, guests, faculty, staff, and alumni. Nurses Week in early May 2020 also was transformed into a fully digital experience. The week typically incorporates the tradition of uniform stringing and scrub-top decorating, and those activities, too, went digital. Graduates submitted photos of decorated scrub tops worn during their experiential learning activities or virtual versions using a digital scrub top template. The community voted for most creative, funniest, and best overall categories. UMSON announced the winners in a virtual stringing video on its Facebook page.  Jarrell again conferred degrees on Dec. 17, 2020, to UMSON’s July and December graduates in the School’s first winter virtual conferral of degrees in UMSON’s history. The virtual event was attended by more than 700 people. Mask Makers When cloth face masks were in short supply for front-line workers at UMMC in the early stages of the pandemic, the UMSON community quickly went to work organizing a campaign that led to the donation of more than 12,000 masks to the hospital. The effort was launched by Susan G. Dorsey, PhD ’01, MS ’98, RN, FAAN, professor and chair of UMSON’s Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, along with volunteer Deb Greenspan, a retired seamstress for the Baltimore Ravens. An email sent to UMSON’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni was passed on to friends, family, neighborhood associations, church groups, quilting clubs, and sewing circles. Some UMSON students, such as Maria Segovia, BSN ’20, had no previous sewing experience but after a few YouTube tutorials were delighted to participate in the project. The masks, created in all manner of colors and designs, were provided to patients, visitors, and staff working in non-direct patient care, allowing the hospital to preserve medical-grade masks for those providing direct patient care. Kirschling described the response from the School’s alumni, faculty, staff, and students as overwhelming. “This is an opportunity for us to give back to the clinicians who every day are providing care in the medical center,” she said at the time. “While they’re trying to juggle the dynamics of COVID-19, we wanted to do something that we could do easily from our homes, and the ability to sew cloth masks and make those available to the individuals who are working inside the medical center has meant a great deal to us.” Lisa Rowen, DNSc, MS ’86, RN, CENP, FAAN, UMMS chief nurse executive and an adjunct professor at UMSON, assisted in distributing the masks inside the hospital. “The masks are very much needed because we are keeping our medical-grade masks for our staff,” she said. “And this way, all of us who are not taking care of patients directly are able to have a barrier and protection and it keeps our environment safer.” This is but a brief glimpse of the many ways UMSON has overcome challenges and created solutions while the pandemic continues. Read more stories related to UMSON’s response to COVID-19.  

Baltimore, Md. – Elizabeth Galik, PhD ’07, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and chair, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been named the Maryland nurse practitioner (NP) recipient of the 2021 American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) State Award for Excellence. “I am honored to be recognized by AANP for my clinical practice with older adults,” Galik said. “I am grateful to the wonderful patients, families, and colleagues that I have had the pleasure to work with in my career. My clinical practice continues to serve as the foundation and inspiration for my role as an educator and nurse scientist.”  Established in 1991, the State Awards for Excellence annually recognize outstanding achievements by one NP and one NP advocate in each state. The State Award for Excellence for NPs is given to those who demonstrate excellence in clinical practice. Recipients will be honored during the AANP National Conference, taking place virtually on June 15. In addition to her role as professor, Galik serves as a nurse practitioner who specializes in the medical and neuropsychiatric care of older adults with dementia. She teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty and conducts research designed to optimize function and physical activity and to effectively manage behavioral symptoms among older adults with dementia. Through a clinical practice with the Sheppard Pratt health system, she provides patient care to older adults and their caregivers in long-term care communities. In addition, she has developed a house call practice for dementia symptom management.  “We congratulate Dr. Galik on this important honor; it is a true testament to the caliber of the care she provides as a nurse practitioner,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “Dr. Galik’s clinical excellence is guided by her research and that of others, illustrating the important connection between nursing research and implementation of evidence-based practices that can improve the quality of care.  The AANP is the largest professional membership organization for NPs of all specialties. It provides legislative leadership at the local, state, and national levels; promotes excellence in practice, education, and research; and establishes standards that best serve NPs’ patients and other health care consumers.  # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

As health care workers around the world race to get the COVID-19 vaccine distributed, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has joined the effort by opening a vaccination clinic in the Southern Management Corporation (SMC) Campus Center. The clinic is staffed by volunteers made up of UMB faculty and staff, UMB’s Office of Emergency Management, as well as student volunteers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), and University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP). “We know that we need to get as many people vaccinated as possible in order to get to the other side of this pandemic,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean, UMSON. “To have our students be able to play such an essential role in this process means a great deal. Especially because we’re also giving back to the community in the process, which is so important.” Read More

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner specialties ranked among top 10 in the nation. Baltimore, Md. – In the newly released 2022 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has remained ranked among the best schools in the nation for its overall Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, out of 597 accredited nursing schools surveyed.   The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner DNP specialty ranked No. 6 in the nation (No. 2 among public schools of nursing). The focus on gerontology, established at UMSON more than 45 years ago, continues to meet critical provider needs given today’s enormous strain on the physician-based primary care workforce in the United States, the lack of sufficient numbers of geriatricians, and a growing aging population. In 2019 and 2020, graduates earned a 100% pass rate on the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board exam.  And the Family Nurse Practitioner DNP specialty ranked No. 8 in the nation (No. 2 among public schools of nursing). The specialty is offered both in Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland, where the first cohort of students will graduate this May after the specialty was introduced at that location in 2017 in an effort to expand FNP education to better meet the needs of underserved areas in the western, more rural portion of the state.   “It is gratifying to continue to be recognized nationally for our Doctor of Nursing Practice program,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “We continue to play a vital role in efforts within Maryland and nationally to increase the number of nurses with advanced education at the doctoral level. We believe this is essential to ensuring that our graduates are fully prepared to meet the needs of patients and their families in a health care system that is increasingly complex and which must respond to a growing percentage of older adults and a far more diverse population overall.” Among public schools of nursing, UMSON’s DNP program ranked No. 15 (No. 33 overall), and its MSN program ranked No. 16 (No. 37 overall) in the nation. U.S. News is no longer ranking a number of categories in which UMSON’s programs have historically ranked among the best in the nation, including the MSN Clinical Nurse Leader option, which was ranked No. 1 or No. 2 for the entire period U.S. News ranked such programs; the Nursing Informatics master’s specialty, which was ranked No. 1 for the entire period U.S. News ranked such programs; and the previously top-ranked Nurse Anesthesia DNP specialty. Rankings are based on a variety of indicators, including student selectivity and program size, faculty resources, and research activity, and on survey data from deans of schools of nursing that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Nineteen University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been named Maryland state New Nurse Faculty Fellows (NNF), two faculty members have been awarded a Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant (NEDG) for Practice and Dissertation Research, and one faculty member has received an inaugural Nurse Faculty Annual Recognition Award. All awards are part of the Nurse Support Program II, a statewide initiative funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The NNF fellowship is available to new nursing faculty members and supports the expenses of graduate education. It is designed to assist Maryland nursing programs in recruiting and retaining new nursing faculty to produce the additional nursing graduates required by Maryland’s hospitals and health systems. The following faculty members received the maximum award amount of $50,000 for fiscal years 2021 - 25, assuming continuous employment as faculty in good standing and the availability of funding: Oluremi Adejumo, DNP ’19, RN, assistant professor Marisa Astiz-Martinez, MS ’13, RN, clinical instructor DeNiece Bennett, DNP, RN, assistant professor Nancy Bolan, PhD, MPH, FNP, CNM, assistant professor and director, Office of Global Health Andrea Brassard, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor Lynn Marie Bullock, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, assistant professor and director, Office of Professional Education Kristin Bussell, PhD ’19, MS ’98, BSN ’84, CRNP-PMH, assistant professor Joan Carpenter, PhD, CRNP, ACHPN, FPCN, assistant professor Patricia Christensen, DNP ’14, RN, NEA-BC, assistant professor Hershaw Davis Jr., MS, BSN ’09, RN, clinical instructor Tolvalyn Dennison, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, CNE, clinical instructor Jennifer Fitzgerald, DNP ’15, MS ’00, NNP-BC, assistant professor Maeve Howett, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program Sandra Lucci, PhD, MS ’95, RN, CNE, CMSRN, assistant professor Patricia Schaefer, MSN, RN, CNE-cl, clinical instructor Vivian Schutz, PhD, MBA, RN, assistant professor Tara Stoudt, MS ’08, RNC-NIC, clinical instructor­­ Rebecca Weston, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, assistant professor Rhea Williams, MSN, CNM, clinical instructor The NEDG for Practice and Dissertation Research provides up to $60,000 to nurse faculty who are currently enrolled in or who have recently completed a doctoral degree, helping to cover costs associated with graduate education. Awards are contingent upon degree completion and employment as a faculty member for one year for each year of the award. The following faculty members received NEDG awards: Amanda Henson, MS, RN, CNE, CHSE, clinical instructor Weston And Amy L. Daniels, PhD ’18, MS ’12, BSN ’89, RN, CHSE, assistant professor and director of the Clinical Simulation Labs, has been named an inaugural recipient of the Nurse Faculty Annual Recognition Award. Deans and directors of all Maryland nursing programs may nominate one nurse faculty for recognition each year who demonstrates excellence, innovation, and leadership. Daniels was recognized for demonstrating excellence in teaching, engaging in the life of the School, and contributing to the profession as a nurse educator. This award, available for experienced nursing faculty members, provides $10,000.  The Nurse Support Program II is a statewide initiative funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. It helps increase Maryland’s nursing capacity by supporting initiatives that advance the recommendations outlined in the Institute of Medicine’s report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Pictured above: (top row, l to r) Adejumo, Astiz-Martinez, Bennett, Bolan, Brassard, Bullock, (second row, l to r) Bussell, Carpenter, Christensen, Daniels, Davis Jr., Dennison, (third row, l to r) Fitzgerald, Henson, Howett, Lucci, Schaefer, Schutz, (bottom row, l to r) Stoudt, Weston, and Williams. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

The Global Learning for Health Equity Network will examine ways to learn from other countries to address health care inequities — a process called “global learning.” The United States continues to lag behind high-resource countries on significant health indicators, including infant mortality, chronic disease, and overall mortality, largely due to health and health care inequities. Interventions designed to eliminate health equity in other countries may also work in local communities in the United States. The grant award comes at a time when the COVID-19 epidemic has illuminated grave racial and social inequities in the U.S., especially in under-resourced communities.  UMB was selected to serve as the organizational home to the Global Learning for Health Equity Network based on the University’s long-standing commitment to health equity, community-engaged research, global health, and global learning. Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, FNAP, FAAN, (left) associate professor and chair of the Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, and Virginia Rowthorn, JD, LLM, associate professor, University of Maryland Graduate School, and assistant vice president for global engagement, UMB, are co-principal investigators on the grant. READ MORE

Fellows to lead changes to enhance health outcomes for Maryland residents. Baltimore, Md. – The Nurse Leadership Institute (NLI) at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (USMON) is pleased to announce its 2020 - 21 cohort of NLI Fellows, the institute’s sixth cohort and the first admitted under its renewed $1.7 million, five-year grant. The 46 nurse educators and clinicians from throughout Maryland were selected through a competitive application process and are participating in a yearlong program designed to prepare nurse faculty and practitioners to assume leadership positions and participate as full partners in developing health care delivery models that improve health outcomes for Maryland residents. Nurses selected for this program demonstrate the leadership potential needed for this challenge. The NLI was established in 2015 by a $2.5 million, five-year grant from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission, administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission through the Nurse Support Program II. In July, the institute’s grant funding was renewed, allowing NLI to continue serving as a statewide resource for developing academic and practice nurse leaders. Grant funding covers program expenses and fees for fellows, allowing UMSON to offer the program at no cost to participants.  “In 2020, the pandemic illuminated the value of having nurse leaders in academia and practice who are well prepared to lead through times of quiet or times of crisis,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, CRNP-Neonatal, FNAP, FAAN, associate professor and chair, Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice. “Two thousand twenty, the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, was also a tipping point. Observing nurses in action catalyzed many to see the prestige of nursing and its integrity, grit, innovation, competency, and compassion for human life. The Nurse Leadership Institute builds on these enormous strengths, insights, skills, and expertise by providing nurses with the essential leadership skills and knowledge that are needed to become change agents in the shifting landscape of nursing academia and practice.” During their participation in the NLI, fellows identify and strengthen their leadership competencies, expand their skills using a strength-based approach, and create a plan for continued development. They also collaborate with other fellows to develop a leadership collaboration activity that translates knowledge to practice. Fellows also select a mentor who serves as a professional guide throughout the program. In addition, the program offers a free, one-year membership in the Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders and continuing nursing education units for all activities. “Participating in the NLI gave me the confidence to accept the role as chair of the Transition to Nurse Residency taskforce under the Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders’ Maryland Nurse Residency Collaborative,” said Eursula L. David-Sherman, MSN, BSN ’92, RN, NPD-BC, nurse residency coordinator, Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, and a 2019 - 20 NLI Fellow. “The taskforce develops onboarding strategies to support new nurse graduates as they successfully transition into nurse residency programs during these unprecedented times. Leading this taskforce allows me the opportunity to collaborate with academic partners and practitioners across the state of Maryland, to support the future nursing workforce, and to ensure these new nurses are equipped to provide care for Maryland residents.”  To date, 127 fellows have completed the NLI with coaching provided by 121 mentors. The 2020 - 21 NLI cohort of Fellows began the program on Sept. 3 and will finish on July 29. These nurses represent 24 health care organizations and higher education institutions statewide; the 2020 - 21 Fellows are: Carol Adams, MBA, MS, RN, Frederick County Health Department Tracy Baca, MS, RN, CCRN-K, University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC)  Trena Brown, BSN, UMMC Midtown Campus Catherine Case, MSN, RN-BC, CPAN, CDES, Sinai Hospital Jamie Clendenin, BSN, RN-BC, Anne Arundel Medical Center Crystal DeVance-Wilson, PhD, MBA, PHCNS-BC, UMSON Brandi Elzie, BSN, RN-BC, Anne Arundel Medical Center Ore-Ofe Ezeigbo, MSN, RN, CWCN, University of Maryland (UM) Baltimore Washington Medical Center Claire Floyd, MSN, RN-BC, Frederick Health Hospital Melita Forrester, MS, RN, VA-BC, Anne Arundel Medical Center Kunjamma George, DNP, RN-BC, CMSRN, Montgomery College Shahde Graham-Coker, MSN, RN-BC, UM Capital Region Health Stephanie Harmon, MSN, RNC-NIC, Anne Arundel Medical Center Ashley Hernandez, MS, RN, CNE, Anne Arundel Community College Nicole Hodski, MSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC, UMMC Carol Holness, DNP, RN, Montgomery College Sarah Inman, MSN, MBA, RN, CM-DN, Northwest Hospital Ashley James, BSN, RN, UM Upper Chesapeake Health Dahlia Joseph, MS, CRNP, ACNP-BC, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center Devika Kandhai, MSN, RN, CMSRN, UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center Charmaine McKie, PhD, MPH, RN, OCN, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute Marceletta Mendoza, MSN, RN, CNOR, CPHQ, UM Capital Region Health Candice Michael, MSN, RN, CPHQ, LSSGB, RNC-BC, Frederick Health Hospital      Hannah Miller, MSN, RN, CNL, CPN, Sharecare Sharon Mooney, BSN, RNC-NIC, Anne Arundel Medical Center Catherine Music, MSN, RN, Anne Arundel Medical Center Charlotte Nwogwugwu, DrPH, BSN, CPH-BC, HIV PCP, UMSON Stella Oloruntoyin, BSN, RN, CAPA, UMMC Kimberly Peterson, MSN, APRN-CNS, ACCNS-AG, OCN, UMMC Donna Pusey, MS, RN-ACM, Peninsula Regional Medical Center Giovanna Robbins, MSN, RN, ONC, The Johns Hopkins Hospital Dana Rose, BSN, RN, CalvertHealth Medical Center Heather Sauerwald, MSN, RN, ACM-RN, The Johns Hopkins Hospital Meghan Schott, BSN, RN, UM St. Joseph Medical Center Nicole Sedaka, MS, RN, CNL, UMMC Rebecca Shumaker, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Meritus Medical Center Ericka Simms-Hannah, DNP, CM-DRN, RN, Loch Raven VA Medical Center Eileen Skaarer, MSN, RN, UM St. Joseph Medical Center Dyshekia Strawberry, MSN, RN-BC, UM Shore Regional Health Lynn Thomas, MSN, RN, NRP, CCRN, CCEMTP, Anne Arundel Medical Center Erin Tobat, MSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, Peninsula Regional Medical Center Sarah Trandel, DNP, FNP-BC, Johns Hopkins Health System Mark Walker, PhD, RN, CCRN, Notre Dame of Maryland University Heather Watson, PhD, RN, Johns Hopkins Health System Kelly Wilson, MSM, RN, PCCN, CNML, Peninsula Regional Medical Center Jennifer Zeller, MS, CRNP, UM St. Joseph Medical Center # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Partnerships with Hagerstown Community College and Allegany College of Maryland mean any Maryland student enrolled in an ADN program can begin earning credits toward their BSN at UMSON. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has launched agreements of dual admission with Hagerstown Community College (HCC) and Allegany College of Maryland (ACM), thus completing formal partnerships with every community college in Maryland that offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Agreements enable a smooth transition from ADN programs to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.  As part of UMSON’s continued effort to increase the number of collaborative pathways to earning a BSN in Maryland, HCC and ACM become the 14th and 15th community colleges in the state, respectively, where students can apply to, be admitted to, and begin taking classes in UMSON’s BSN program while still working toward their ADN, saving them time in completing both degrees. HCC and ACM students will receive credit from UMSON for completed coursework at the community colleges. In addition, UMSON is currently covering the cost of its BSN courses for students participating in the dual-admission partnership while they are still enrolled in the ADN program, an opportunity made possible with funds from a gift from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation.  “UMSON is excited to begin the dual-admission partnerships with HCC and ACM,” said Linda Aveni Murray, DNP ’16, MS ’84, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director, RN-to-BSN program, UMSON. “The partnerships will afford nurses in Western Maryland an opportunity to begin pursuing their BSN online while still enrolled at their local community colleges. Once they graduate from their community college program, they will be able to seamlessly complete the BSN program online.” Connecting UMSON with Maryland’s western counties, where there are health professions shortages, the new dual-admission agreements encourage and support ADN students to obtain their BSN by streamlining prerequisites, creating a seamless process for the transfer of credits, and allowing them to begin taking courses in UMSON’s BSN program while still enrolled at their community college. For Western Maryland’s rural and medically underserved areas, these partnerships will help meet a critical need for health care providers by educating students who frequently provide care in their local communities. “We are thrilled to launch these dual-admission agreements with Hagerstown Community College and Allegany College and look forward to our collaboration,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “Our agreements with the 15 community colleges across Maryland that offer the Associate Degree in Nursing ensures that in every part of our state – from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore – nurses have the opportunity to more easily earn their BSN degree and to do so at a lower cost. With over 67% of Maryland nurses now holding a BSN degree or higher, our state is a national leader in the effort to reach the recommended 80% level. This is good news for health care in Maryland given the link between higher levels of nursing education and better patient outcomes. It means that throughout Maryland, nurses are well equipped to provide excellent care in our increasingly complex health care environment.” The present Dual-Admission Partnership program, initiated in 2015, is helping to further the mission of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to transform health care through nursing. The campaign, based on the recommendations set forth in the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report, aims to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree or higher nationwide to 80%. To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. To date, more than 160 students have matriculated and nearly 50 students have graduated after having completed both their ADN and UMSON’s BSN program through the Dual-Admission Partnership program. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Deanship named The Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of Nursing. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has received a $13.83 million commitment from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Fund to create an additional 345 Conway Scholarships across all degree programs, which cover in-state tuition, fees, and (at the undergraduate level) books. The gift also includes $1 million to support renovation of the nursing building at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, Maryland.  This transformational gift, the largest in UMSON’s history, is the fourth donation to UMSON from the Conways, who have pledged nearly $30 million over the past six years. At the conclusion of this pledge, which will support students from fall 2022 - fall 2027, the Conways will have funded more than 830 Conway Scholarships. In addition to supporting the continuation of UMSON’s Conway Scholars program, the gift provides $1 million to facilitate UMSON’s expansion at USG. The School offers its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and its Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner specialty at USG; to provide space for these programs’ growth, USG’s Building I has been designated solely for the School of Nursing. The renovation of this space will allow for significant expansion of the simulation labs, create a student success suite, and provide an administrative suite. As a sign of gratitude for the Conways’ ongoing generosity, as of December 2020, the UMSON deanship will carry the Conway name, becoming “The Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing.” “Right now, as we face the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for nurses is especially acute,” said University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS. “The Conways’ extraordinary generosity continues to help meet that need and propel the University of Maryland School of Nursing forward. Countless lives will be positively impacted because of their support. I’m especially pleased that the deanship will now be associated with these incredible and generous people.” In April 2015, the Conways made their first pledge, of $5.24 million over five years, to UMSON to expand enrollment in the entry-into-nursing BSN program and to increase opportunities for registered nurses to obtain their BSN degrees. Less than two years later, they pledged another $2 million to provide scholarships for master’s and doctoral students and to support the launch of the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty at USG. And in April 2018, they pledged an additional $8.2 million to continue the Conway Scholars program. “This enormously generous gift from Bill and Joanne Conway is just the latest in a series of gifts from them that have transformed education access for nursing students,” said University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman, MD, who served as president of UMB through December 2019. “That access is vital to population health at all times, of course, but during a deadly pandemic — when you see every day the life-saving impact of a robust and well-educated nursing workforce — gifts like the Conways’ are especially meaningful. Bill and Joanne have been among the most generous donors in UMSON’s history, and their philanthropy will reshape health care in Maryland, benefiting all citizens for generations to come. Their extraordinary legacy is assured.” The demographics of Conway Scholars represent the diversity of UMSON’s student body, with 59% of Conway Scholars from minority and underrepresented populations (32% Black/African American, 12% Asian, 10% Hispanic, 5% other/more than one race); 11% of scholars are male. The scholars range in age from 18 - 52. In addition to full scholarships, Conway Scholars receive valuable coaching and mentoring services from faculty mentors through UMSON’s Student Success Center. “We are incredibly grateful for this latest gift from Bill and Joanne Conway. It allows us to continue meeting the critical need, in Maryland and nationally, for improving access to care and patient outcomes by increasing the number of nurses educated at the baccalaureate degree level or higher. Maryland has grown the percentage of BSN-prepared nurses in our hospitals and health care organizations to 60%, but we are still short of the national goal of 80%,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “In addition, the increasing need for primary care throughout our state means that education of advanced practice nurses is essential. Through the Conways’ ongoing scholarship support, we are continuing to expand access to nursing education at all levels and with it, our nursing workforce. These Conway Scholars are critical to providing the caliber of nursing care our patients, their families, and our communities require and deserve; they will help ensure that we can meet health care needs in all parts of our state, now and in the years to come. The Conways’ extraordinary support for nursing is truly a game-changer.” The Conways’ gifts have provided unprecedented opportunities to UMSON students while enabling the Conways to achieve their philanthropic goal of providing scholarships for 10,000 nursing students. Pictured: (top) Conway Scholars following a luncheon held March 2, 2020, at UMSON; (bottom) Bill Conway with a group of Conway Scholars following a luncheon held Feb. 18, 2020, at USG.   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment. 

Baltimore, Md. – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s widespread community transmission across the state and surging metrics across the country, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s request, and UMSON’s assessment of students’ readiness, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) for the second time approved an early exit, for entry-into-practice students scheduled to graduate on Dec. 17, 2020. In an effort to bolster the nursing workforce, students approved for the early exit could begin working as nursing graduates. All graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students participated in an early exit on Nov. 30, provided successful completion of fall courses. Graduating entry-into-practice Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s students were given the option to exit as early as Dec. 2. To be eligible for the early-exit option, CNL students had to meet specific GPA and academic program requirements. UMSON had 138 BSN and 13 CNL students participate in the late-November early exit. In April 2020, UMSON had 62 BSN and 45 CNL students who took an optional early exit prior to the May 14 graduation date. To further aid in the COVID-19 pandemic response, and at Hogan’s request that nursing programs encourage student engagement in caring for hospitalized COVID-19 patients and in assisting with screenings and vaccines, UMSON strongly encouraged its entry-into-practice students scheduled to graduate in spring 2021 to begin participating in clinical experiences and community/public health rotations as early as mid-December, before the Jan. 28 start of the spring 2021 semester. This voluntary option was offered to BSN and CNL master’s option students, as the second large surge of COVID-19 patients in late 2020 affected nurse staffing at UMSON’s partner agencies and institutions. With the surge expected to continue into spring, causing uncertainty regarding availability of clinical sites, UMSON provided this option to students to ensure they can participate in and complete their spring 2021 requirements. UMSON had 65 BSN and 13 CNL students participate in the early clinical experiences. “I thank the University of Maryland School of Nursing leadership and its students for stepping up and demonstrating their continued active commitment to service in the midst of this pandemic,” said James D. Fielder Jr., PhD, secretary of higher education, Maryland Higher Education Commission. “The opportunities for students to accelerate their academic schedule in order to actively contribute during the current COVID-19 surge is deeply appreciated. The state of Maryland thanks you.” EARLY EXIT FOR DECEMBER 2020 GRADUATES EARLY START TO CLINICAL EXPERIENCES FOR SPRING 2021 GRADUATES

UMSON ranked among the Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs for Veterans nationwide Baltimore, Md. – In U.S. News & World Report’s newly released “2021 Best Online Programs” rankings, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) ranked among the Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs for Veterans nationwide, at No. 18. UMSON’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Health Services Leadership and Management specialty ranked No. 7 in the nation in the Nursing Administration Programs category, and its post-baccalaureate Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions Certificate ranked No. 8 in the nation in the Nursing Education Programs category. The U.S. News rankings represent the most respected and in-depth evaluation of U.S. graduate programs that are designed to be administered online. UMSON is among the 173 schools ranked, out of 571 surveyed. The 2021 rankings do not evaluate schools or programs that are temporarily virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic. “It is gratifying to be recognized nationally for our online programs, particularly for providing excellent nursing education to veterans,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The School of Nursing has a long history of preparing nurses for military service, and many graduates have served with great distinction in both the Army and Navy Nurse Corps. Our faculty includes veterans and reservists who bring the unique expertise gained through military experience to their teaching of our students.”  The School’s first superintendent, Louisa Parsons, was a decorated nursing veteran of the British Army, both before and after her time at the School of Nursing; she was awarded the Royal Red Cross, the highest honor bestowed on nurses in Britain. Since its founding, UMSON nurses have served in every major military engagement since the Spanish-American War in 1898, including WWII and the Korean War. From 1964 - 78, under an arrangement with the U.S. Department of the Army, UMSON graduated over 1,100 men and women through the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing who became commissioned officers in the Army Nurse Corps. Today, 12.5% of students have served, currently serve, or are a dependent of a military veteran, and 8.5% of faculty and staff have served or are currently serving in the military. As veterans and active-duty service members benefit substantially from online education that is affordable, accessible, and reputable, U.S. News’ rankings measure these factors and also take into account participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the G.I. Bill that provides assistance with education expenses. Through the Yellow Ribbon Program, UMSON offers up to $1,200 to 10 qualified students each year, and the VA matches those funds. UMSON’s MSN Health Services Leadership and Management specialty, also ranked among the nation’s top programs in U.S. News & World Report’s “2021 Best Graduate Schools,” offers leading-edge courses, personalized mentorship, and individual placements in practicums that support students’ career goals to refine advanced nursing leadership and nursing administration skills. Practicum placements are with leaders at hospitals and health care systems, universities and community colleges, national and state agencies, and more. UMSON’s Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions Certificate program, offered through the School’s Institute for Educators, the first such entity of its kind in the nation, was designed to prepare nurses and other health professionals as teachers. The program provides the essential knowledge and teaching skills to work effectively with students, patients, or consumers in academic, clinical, or professional settings. The certificate focuses on innovative teaching strategies to enhance learning experiences across a range of settings, including online and clinical learning environments. U.S. News’ rankings are based on indicators such as student and faculty engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, student excellence, and expert opinion, using data collected directly from each institution. Only degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions were considered, and the programs that score the highest are those applying educational best practices specific for distance learners. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment. Pictured above: Col. Jacqueline C. Mitchell, MS ’07, CRNA, director of Clinical Education, from the spring 2018 issue of Nursing For/um.   

Kelly Doss, a student in UMSON’s Clinical Nurse Leader program, also welcomed the chance to be part of the clinic. “I’m excited to be part of this and very, very happy to have this opportunity,” she said. “They were hinting at it for a while with emails from the School of Nursing, and when I learned this is actually happening, I was very happy.” As excited as Doss was to be part of the vaccination process, Kirschling was appreciative for the hands-on learning students are receiving. “I’m extremely grateful for the partnership between the medical center, the medical system, and UMB in terms of making this a reality. Not only for our employees, but for students, it is extremely important,” Kirschling said. “We have 2,000 nursing students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and our undergraduate and graduate students and their ability to pull together and to participate in the vaccination process is important, and will help us get it done sooner.” Kirschling said she was eager to get the vaccine and is completing the approval process for becoming a vaccine administrator. “We all need to do our part in terms of fighting the pandemic, and we have a number of tools that we can use — hand washing, social distancing, masking. Vaccines are another tool to help us get through this pandemic sooner than later,” she said. “It’s important that we all pull together right now and meet this unbelievable need to have people who can provide vaccinations to those who are willing to take the vaccine.” Read More

Baltimore, Md. - Three University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been appointed to Maryland state and Baltimore County health care oversight organizations. Bimbola F. Akintade, PhD ’11, MS ’05, MBA, MHA, BSN ’03, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP, (left) associate professor and associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing program, has been appointed to the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC); Kristen Rawlett, PhD ’14, FNP-BC, FAANP, (middle) assistant professor, has been appointed to the State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council; and Katie McElroy, PhD ’16, MS ’10, BSN ’98, RN, (right) assistant professor, has been appointed to the Baltimore County Board of Health. As a commissioner, Akintade will work with a team of health care professionals and leaders to focus upon collaborative initiatives related to broadening Marylanders’ access to high-quality and cost-effective health care services. The commission focuses in particular on aspects such as access to health care, quality and patient safety, innovative health care delivery, health information technology, and information for policy development. The MHCC is an independent state regulatory agency that plans for health system needs, promotes informed decision-making, increases accountability, and improves access to care in a rapidly changing health care environment. Appointed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Akintade will serve the remainder of a four-year term, ending Sept. 30, 2022, vacated by a former UMSON faculty member who moved out of state. Rawlett assumed her role in May with the State Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) and Protection Advisory Council, she will review state regulations that potentially impact CEH, educating regarding relevant issues, and advising the governor and the state Legislature on environmental issues that may pose a threat to children. The council identifies environmental health issues for children and seeks to protect children in Maryland from exposure to environmental hazards. It also advises the General Assembly on legislation and recommends uniform guidelines for state agencies to help reduce and eliminate children’s exposure to environmental hazards. Appointed by Hogan, Rawlett will serve a four-year term. In her role with the Baltimore County Board of Health, McElroy will work to support the county’s government and make recommendations that will promote better health and quality of life for county residents. The board establishes policies for health services within the county, including the system of public health clinics. The board also investigates and studies the causes of disease, epidemics, nuisances affecting public health, and the prevention of contagious diseases. Appointed by Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski Jr., McElroy is completing the first term of a previously vacant seat and will continue to serve into the future. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – During the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) virtual December 2020 degree conferral ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 17, which recognized summer and fall 2020 UMSON graduates, DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nursing Students were presented to Katherine Couch, (left) a graduate of the Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader option, and Lisa Eng, (middle) a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Universities at Shady Grove location. And the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty was presented to Amanda Roesch, (right) DNP, MPH, FNP-C, assistant professor, marking only the second time that UMSON has bestowed the award. The DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nursing Students are presented at each UMSON Convocation in May and each UMSON Graduation in December to two graduating entry-into-practice students who demonstrate empathic care and service to patients and their families. The award was created by The DAISY Foundation to remind students, even during their hardest days in nursing school, why they chose to become a nurse. By recognizing nursing students for their care and compassion for patients and their families, The DAISY Foundation acknowledges and celebrates what it means to be a nurse. Eligible nursing students can be nominated by a fellow student or a faculty or staff member from the UMSON community. During the degree conferral, Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, said Couch was nominated for treating everyone she encounters with the same level of deep respect and for not being afraid to speak up or to question something that does not seem quite right. Kirschling said Eng was nominated for always going above and beyond her assigned duties to learn about her patients and for her commitment to connecting with them and caring for them as individuals.   “Thank you, Katherine and Lisa, for demonstrating your commitment to providing outstanding and compassionate care. I know that you will continue to do so over the course of your nursing careers,” Kirschling said. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty was created by The DAISY Foundation to recognize and celebrate the contributions that faculty members make to the future of nursing. The award honors those who inspire their students to remember that nursing is much more than tasks and technology. These faculty members help ensure that the art as well as the science of nursing are brought to every patient experience. Nominations are accepted from students, fellow faculty members, and community leaders. Roesch, the 2020 faculty award recipient, was nominated by Veronica Quattrini, DNP, FNP-BC, assistant professor and senior director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and is described as passionate about educating the next generation of UMSON advanced practice nurses to provide compassionate care to diverse populations. She weaves her experiences caring for underserved populations both locally and internationally into her teaching strategies. She challenges students to broaden their perspectives with her curricular design. As an ally for the LGBTQ+ community, she is committed to ensuring her students have the knowledge and skills to provide affirming, inclusive care to this population, and she incorporates this in the courses she teaches. Roesch has also collaborated with a community/public health nursing initiative to provide physical exams to children enrolled in Head Start programs. This affords her the opportunity not only to teach Family Nurse Practitioner students to care for the pediatric population, but also to provide culturally sensitive care to a diverse population. Students describe her as knowledgeable, dedicated, hardworking, and passionate and characterize her teaching style as creative, unique, interactive, and fun. As one student stated, “Dr. Roesch is a true asset to the entire school.” As a colleague, Roesch elevates the bar as a team player. She is always willing to assist at any level to improve curriculum and has developed many case studies, objective structured clinical examination encounters, redesign of rubrics and exams, and, perhaps her most significant contribution, the episodic tool designed for Advanced Health Assessment. “I am delighted to present Dr. Roesch with this award,” Kirschling said during the degree conferral. “We are very grateful to have her as a member of our faculty.” An acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem, The DAISY Foundation was founded in November 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. The nursing care Patrick received when hospitalized profoundly touched his family. The foundation expresses gratitude to nurses with programs that recognize them for the extraordinary skillful, compassionate care they provide patients and families. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Where do individual rights fit in when public health is threatened? What roles do psychology, faith, and reasoning play in decision-making about whether to trust or reject science? How do different health professions contribute to vaccine development, research, vaccine distribution, and public health education? Such are the questions that need to be addressed as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, according to speakers at University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Seventh Annual Interprofessional Forum on Ethics and Religion in Health Care. The event explored the topic of vaccines through the lens of bioethics and religion, with perspectives from various health disciplines. (The event took place prior to the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization of the Pfizer/BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, which University of Maryland Medical System health care workers have started to receive.) This year’s forum, “Unraveling Vaccine Science, Faith, and Public Discourse,” was held virtually for the first time, in keeping with COVID-19 safety precautions. The program featured religious leaders including Rabbi Shmuel Silber of Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim in Pikesville and Bowyer G. Freeman, DMin, senior pastor of New St. Mark Baptist Church in Baltimore, as well as medical, legal, and pharmaceutical experts. Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and director of UMB’s Center for Interprofessional Education, offered welcoming remarks to kick off the event. “Certainly, virtual events such as this one have become standard operating procedure but even though we are growing used to them, they are still a potent reminder of the ongoing dislocations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. Read More

On Thursday, Dec. 17, the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, welcomed UMSON’s July and December 2020 graduates, their families and friends, and faculty and staff to UMSON’s first winter virtual conferral of degrees in the School’s 131-year history. The virtual event was attended by more than 700 people. “It goes without saying that nursing, at its very core, is a profession marked by a deep dedication and commitment to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our patients and our communities,” Kirschling told graduates attending the Zoom ceremony. “However, the events of this year – our national and global struggle to combat COVID-19 – give additional meaning to this dedication. It is a reminder that nursing does not have the opportunity to pick and choose its moments of service, but rather, it must always be at the ready to respond.” During the ceremony, University of Maryland, Baltimore President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, conferred 179 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees, 79 master’s degrees, one certificate, two Doctor of Nursing practice degrees, and four PhD degrees. University System of Maryland Regent William T. Wood offered remarks during the ceremony, and Kirschling recognized the entry-into-practice students who took advantage of UMSON’s early-exit option, an effort to bolster the nursing workforce in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in November and those who have volunteered to serve in other capacities during this time. “To all of our students: You have successfully persevered during this semester, completed your studies, and earned your degrees, all while balancing multiple demands and stresses. You have my deepest respect and that of all of us for your efforts and hard work,” Kirschling said. Student speaker Lauren Russell, BSN ’20, a Conway Scholar, shared her experiences as a nursing student during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We did not expect a virtual learning environment, let alone a virtual graduation,” Russell said. “And yet, here we are, standing tall, prepared to be impactful in our designated specialties of choice. Utilizing the knowledge we have garnered and the skill sets that we have sharpened as we have matriculated through this nursing program.” During the ceremony, DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nursing Students were awarded to Lisa Eng, a graduate of the BSN program at the Universities at Shady Grove location, and Katherine Couch, a graduate of the Clinical Nurse Leader master’s option. The DAISY awards are given each fall and spring to two graduating entry-into-practice students who demonstrate empathic care and service to patients and their families. And the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty was presented to Amanda Roesch, DNP, MPH, FNP-C, assistant professor, recognizing her commitment to education and her inspirational influence on students. Preceptor Awards, given to preceptors who have facilitated a transformational experience for students with whom they have worked in the clinical setting, were presented to Tania Randell, MS, RN, ACCNS-AC, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Progressive Cardiac Care Unit, at the graduate level and Rhianna Moyer, BSN, RN, CPN, University of Maryland Medical Center, Pediatric Progressive Care Unit, at the undergraduate level. Dean Kirschling concluded the ceremony with congratulatory remarks for the graduates. “On behalf of the entire University of Maryland School of Nursing, all of us join in celebrating your achievements and we send you forward to serve, knowing that each one of you will contribute to improving the health and well-being of our state, our nation, and our world,” she said.

Students have been strongly encouraged to begin clinical experiences as early as Dec. 14. Baltimore, Md. – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact nursing education­ and in response to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s request that nursing programs encourage student engagement in caring for hospitalized COVID-19 patients and in assisting with COVID-19 screenings and vaccines, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been strongly encouraging its entry-into-practice students scheduled to graduate in spring 2021 to begin participating in clinical experiences and community/public health rotations as soon as possible, before the Jan. 28 start of the spring 2021 semester. This voluntary option is being offered to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s option students, as the second large surge of ill COVID-19 patients affects nurse staffing at UMSON’s partner agencies and institutions. With the surge expected to increase over the coming months and continue into spring, causing uncertainty regarding availability of clinical sites, UMSON has provided this option to students to ensure they can participate in and complete their spring 2021 requirements. “The University of Maryland Medical System hospitals warmly welcome the University of Maryland School of Nursing entry-into-practice students to begin their final semester practicums this month. The experience and insight they’ll gain working alongside our expert and knowledgeable registered nurses during the COVID-19 surge will serve them well over the course of their nursing careers,” said Lisa Rowen, DNSc, RN, CENP, FAAN, chief nurse executive, University of Maryland Medical System, and senior vice president and chief nursing officer, University of Maryland Medical Center.  Priority for the December/January clinical experience option is dependent on clinical site availability, and students will be placed on a first-come, first-served basis in a medical/surgical or acute care unit or with community/public health nursing partners as clinical sites are identified. “I thank the University of Maryland School of Nursing leadership and its students for stepping up and demonstrating their continued active commitment to service in the midst of this pandemic,” said James D. Fielder Jr., PhD, secretary of higher education, Maryland Higher Education Commission. “The opportunities for students to accelerate their academic schedule in order to actively contribute during the current COVID-19 surge is deeply appreciated. The state of Maryland thanks you.” UMSON has 65 BSN and 13 CNL students scheduled to patriciate in the early clinical experiences. Participating students will begin their clinical experience no later than Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

When the staff of the Baltimore Business Journal decided last summer to create the publication’s first Leaders in Health Care Awards to honor Baltimore’s health care community, they could not have foreseen the challenges and pressures health care professionals would experience in times of a pandemic. Last year, “we could not have had the appreciation that we have today for what it takes to be a true leader in health care,” said Rhonda Pringle, market president and publisher of the Baltimore Business Journal. “What we found when we read the nominations are leaders willing to embrace new ideas, new technologies and unafraid to shake up the status quo.” Originally the publication had intended to select seven honorees, but given the number of outstanding nominations, “it became clear that seven was not enough,” Pringle said. Instead, 17 leaders in health care were chosen, with three from the University of Maryland, Baltimore community among them: Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON); Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FCP, FAAPS, dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP); and UMSOP’s Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS. Leaders in Health Care honorees were recognized in a Dec. 3 virtual ceremony during which the awards were announced by Kevin Carnell, health care practice leader, RCM&D. Kirschling, dean of UMSON since 2013, was recognized in the category of health education. Eddington, dean of UMSOP since 2007, and Sera, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, were recognized in the medical cannabis category. “When we look back at 2020 in the history books, we will never forget the adversity and hardships,” Carnell said. “However, we will also remember the countless examples of strength, courage, and perseverance displayed by those in the health care community. All who we recognize today are to be commended for the work they do every day, and especially in today's world. You all make a tremendous positive impact on our community, and we are grateful for your efforts.” Under Kirschling’s leadership, UMSON has continued educating a new generation of nurses and helps meet staffing needs for the state's medical system by allowing qualified, trained nursing students to work in hospitals to help address a surge in COVID-19 patients, Carnell said. In addition, UMSON for the second time approved an early exit for entry-into-nursing students who were scheduled to graduate Dec. 17, 2020. In an effort to bolster the nursing workforce, students approved for an early exit could begin working as nursing graduates. “Thank you for this award as a leader in health care,” Kirschling said in accepting the award. “The University of Maryland School of Nursing faculty, staff, and students have shown amazing resilience during COVID-19, and we continue to produce excellent nurses for the workforce. We are forever grateful for this recognition.” Read More

All graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing students to exit as early as Nov. 30. Baltimore, Md. - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s widespread community transmission across the state and surging metrics across the country, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s request, and UMSON’s assessment of students’ readiness, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) for the second time has approved an early exit for entry-into-nursing students who are scheduled to graduate on Dec. 17, 2020. In an effort to bolster the nursing workforce, students approved for an early exit can begin working as nursing graduates. All graduating Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students will exit early, Nov. 30, provided successful completion of fall courses. Graduating entry-into-nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s students will be given the option to exit as early as Dec. 2. To be eligible for the early-exit option, CNL students must meet specific GPA and academic program requirements. Hogan’s public health surge plan has called for allowing hospitals that are either full or nearing capacity limits to transfer patients to hospitals that are equipped to provide them with the care they need, helping to alleviate overcrowding in hospitals. The School of Nursing has collaborated with the chief nursing officers of major hospital systems and ascertained their need for and interest in hiring nursing graduates and designed a protocol for linking UMSON’s early-exit students to these institutions: the University of Maryland Medical System, the Johns Hopkins Health System, MedStar Health, Anne Arundel Medical Center (Luminis Health), and Holy Cross Health.  “We are committed to once again partnering with Maryland’s health care systems to support them as they navigate the increasing demands for personnel during this latest phase of the pandemic,” said Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “School of Nursing students eligible for this early-exit option are fully prepared and equipped to help meet the state’s needs by serving our health care institutions as nursing graduates. I applaud those students selecting the early exit option for their willingness to contribute their skills during this time of increasing urgency and sincerely thank all of our students – whether continuing their studies or preparing to graduate – for persevering in their education and preparation for nursing careers despite challenging and sometimes difficult circumstances.” UMSON will provide a letter to participating students that they can in turn provide to prospective employers stating that they have met all the program requirements and have qualified for and taken an early-exit option from UMSON. UMSON has 138 BSN and 44 CNL students who are qualified to participate in the early exit. In April 2020, UMSON had 62 BSN and 45 CNL students who took an optional early exit prior to the May 14 graduation date.  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

“In the patient population that I see, I frequently come across people who just don’t have any cooking skills,” said Lauren Hynicka, PharmD, BCPS, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP). “They might not even have a stove or the proper utensils and cookware to prep the meals.” Health professionals can face similar challenges in providing the proper nutrition education to their patients. To overcome that, 24 University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) students from the schools of pharmacy, dentistry, law, and medicine enrolled in a 1-credit culinary health and medicine elective in the spring hosted at The Institute for Integrative Health in Harbor East. The elective provides an opportunity for students outside of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, which includes culinary medicine as part of its core curriculum, to add to the breadth of patient care. Christopher D’Adamo, PhD, director of research and associate director, Center for Integrative Medicine, also was part of the course team. Hynicka’s presentation was one from four teams that presented results of their 13-month interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional care projects funded through UMB’s Center for Interprofessional Education (CIPE) at a Nov. 18 faculty symposium via Webex. The grants ranged from $10,200 to $15,000. “For me as a prior transplant surgeon, interprofessional care of the patients was the only way you took care of them,” UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, said. “Having that as part of our learning objective is really important to me.” CIPE, directed by Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, is a national leader in providing interprofessional education for health, law, and human services professionals that is grounded in best practices for educational innovation and assessment. Here are the IPE 2019-2020 seed grant projects and team members:  “Using Gamification to Enhance the Learning of Interprofessional Antimicrobial Management” Kimberly Claeys, PharmD, BCPS — School of Pharmacy Emily Heil, PharmD, CPS AQ-ID, AAHIVP — School of Pharmacy Neha Sheth Pandit, AAIVP, BCPS — School of Pharmacy Roseann Velez, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, FAANP — School of Nursing Jacqueline Bork, MD — School of Medicine Kerri Thom, MD — School of Medicine “Interprofessional Care for Head and Neck Radiation Patients” Dima Ghunaim, DDS, MS, FACP — School of Dentistry/UMMC Tiffani Tyer, CRNP-AC, AOCNP — University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Cynthia Idzik-Starr, DDS — School of Dentistry Donita Dyalram, MD, DDS, FACP — School of Medicine/UMMC Bridgitte Gourley, DNP, FNP-BC — School of Nursing “An Interprofessional Training to Improve Advance Care Planning Skills of Students and Healthcare Professionals by Collaborating with Oncology and Palliative Care Champions” Leah S. Millstein, MD — School of Medicine Paula Rosenblatt, MD — School of Medicine John Cagle, PhD, MSW — School of Social Work John Allen, MD — School of Medicine Mel Bellin, PhD, LCSW — School of Social Work Steven R. Eveland, MBA, RN, CHPN — School of Social Work Mei Ching Lee, RN, PhD, CHPN — School of Nursing Barbara Perez Marquez, MFA — School of Medicine  “Interprofessional Education Awareness (IDEA) for Maternal Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)” Doris Titus-Glover, PhD, MSN — School of Nursing Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN — School of Nursing Fadia T. Shaya, PhD, MPH — School of Pharmacy Kathleen Hoke, JD — School of Law Christopher Welsh, MD — School of Medicine Jamie E. Swietlikowski, MS — School of Medicine Rebecca Vivrette, PhD — School of Medicine Katherine Fornili, DNP, MPH, RN, CARN, FIANN — School of Nursing  “Development of an Interprofessional Culinary Health and Medicine Elective” Christopher D’Adamo, PhD — School of Medicine Lauren M. Hynicka, PharmD, BCPS — School of Pharmacy   Read More  

Alumna and victimology/forensic nursing pioneer to present Shattering Silence: Clinical Perspectives on Sexual Violence 1970 - 2020 Baltimore, Md. – On Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m., Ann Wolbert Burgess, DNSc, MS ’59, APRN, FAAN, professor of psychiatric nursing, Boston College Connell School of Nursing, will kick off the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) 2020 - 21 Dean’s Lecture series as the featured guest lecturer of The Ann Ottney Cain Lecture in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, presenting “Shattering Silence: Clinical Perspectives on Sexual Violence 1970 - 2020.” The lecture will also commemorate the 65th anniversary of UMSON’s psychiatric nursing program, now the Doctor of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Family specialty, of which Burgess is an alumna. Burgess’ online lecture will trace the changing historical context for sexual violence over the past 50 years and explore the implications of this for current clinical practice, as well the understanding of both victims and perpetrators. It will provide evidence-based guidance on the presenting characteristics and behaviors of sexual predators and outline best practices for using trauma-informed approaches in the assessment and treatment of victims of abuse. And it will probe the progress made or not made with regard to nurses’ legal and clinical responses to sexual violence and the impact of this on victims, offenders, and society at large. Although the issues of sexual assault and sexual violence have vaulted into the headlines, the slow, hard scientific work to understand victims and perpetrators has been the focus of Burgess’ research, publication, and teaching for close to 50 years. A pioneer in the field of victimology and forensic nursing, Burgess is recognized for her contributions to understanding sexual violence. In an era during which rape was not discussed, Burgess and her colleague Lynda Lytle Holstrom began one of the first hospital-based programs for rape victims. Their resulting publication in 1973 in the American Journal of Nursing of findings drawn from their interviews of 146 rape victims aged 3 - 73, “The Rape Victim in the Emergency Ward,” called into question victims’ treatment by police, health care institutions, and the criminal justice system; raised the notion that rape was about power and control; and advocated crisis counseling for victims. Burgess and Holstrom’s subsequent 1974 publication in the American Journal of Psychiatry, “Rape Trauma Syndrome,” introduced the term into the scientific literature, delineated the syndrome’s symptomatology, and noted that one of the variations, the silent rape reaction, required clinicians to be “alert to indications of the possibility of rape … even when the patient never mentions the attack.” She recently published the third edition of her seminal text, Victimology: Theories and Applications, and provided the afterword to The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime.  Burgess entered popular culture as the role model for the television character Dr. Wendy Carr in the Netflix series Mindhunter. It is based on Burgess’ work with the FBI interviewing victims and systematically cataloging information from these interviews, as well as subsequent efforts to understand the minds of serial killers, which contributed to a criminal profiling system and was the first to establish connections between a killer’s past trauma and subsequent crimes. In keeping with her commitment to the advanced education and practice of nurses, Burgess, a board-certified psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, only regrets that her fictional self was portrayed as a psychologist rather than a nurse. At this lecture, UMSON will pay tribute to Ann Ottney Cain (1934 - 2020), PhD, RN, CSP, FAAN, professor emerita, who was a leader in psychiatric mental health nursing, specifically in family systems therapy. Her tenure at UMSON spanned more than three decades, and upon her retirement in 1994, her colleagues, students, and friends created the Ann Ottney Cain Endowed Lecture in Psychiatric Nursing. Cain passed away in February.  "Dr. Cain reframed understanding and treatment assessment to include the significant relationships in every unique family system. This system thinking broadened individual perspectives and enhanced student practitioners’ abilities to become nonjudgmental, empathic witnesses,” said Charon Burda, DNP ’19, MS ’03, PMHCNS, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, associate professor and director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty. “The systems thinking process remains a cornerstone of our curriculum today. The Psychiatric Mental Health specialty stands on the shoulders of transformational leaders who represent a long, rich history; innovation; integration of evidence; and healers of great influence. Dr. Ann Burgess, this year’s esteemed presenter and a colleague of Dr. Cain, worked in the forensic system, broadening understanding and new assessment considerations to therapeutically respond to victims and perpetrators involved in violent reactions. These educators represent the highest level of scholarship, leadership, dedication, and service. Our students, faculty, and alumni are honored to be a part of this rich, distinguished lineage."  The 2020 - 21 Dean’s Lecture Series will include three additional lectures scheduled for later this winter and next spring. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

“That is one language that is commonly spoken across Nigeria, in the cities, suburbs, and in the villages. Everyone understands Pidgin English,” said one of the President’s Fellows, Henry E. Inegbenosun, BSN ’15, who was raised in Lagos, Nigeria. “I think that’s something that can be explored when communicating with patients of different parts of a country.”    Inegbenosun is a Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner student at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON). Read More

Office of Diversity and Inclusion kicks off Perspectives on Diversity and Inclusion speaker series. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of nursing (UMSON) has received the 2020 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. This is the third year in a row that UMSON has been named a HEED Award recipient. The HEED Award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. UMSON will be featured, along with 44 other recipients, in the December 2020 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “The School of Nursing is deeply honored to receive the HEED Award for a third time,” said Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The annual process provides an opportunity for us to again reflect on and assess our program. We remain committed to the development of a diverse health care workforce – not only racially and ethnically, but also with respect to sexual orientation and gender identification, and a host of economic, cultural, and social factors. Such a diverse workforce is essential to ensuring an effective and equitable system of health care for all. This year, in particular, the events of recent months – from the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impact on vast sectors of our population to the stark reminders of our unfinished business in responding to structural racism – are a renewed call to action. We still have much work to do, in order to truly live the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion."  Health Professions HEED Award application is open to all accredited U.S. and Canadian health profession schools, including medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, veterinary, and osteopathic medical schools. The award is the only national initiative that honors individual institutions for being outstanding examples of colleges, universities, or health profession schools that are committed to making diversity and inclusion a top priority across their campuses. The HEED Award’s rigorous application includes questions related to recruitment and retention of students and employees, continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. The program looks for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into their everyday work  In its 2020 application, UMSON highlighted three areas of innovation: incorporating diversity and inclusion into faculty and staff performance reviews through the addition of annual learning objectives focused on cultural competence and/or education and training integrating Restorative Justice practices into the UMSON community as a way of offering faculty, staff, and students tools to better communicate, solve problems, and nurture authentic relationships the Booked for Lunch Club affinity group, which offers a platform for dialogue, cultural and racial awareness, and meaningful conversation through shared review of a broad array of diverse reading and media materials. Continuing its leadership role within UMSON, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion kicked off “Perspectives on Diversity and Inclusion,” a three-part series of half-day presentations and discussions for faculty and staff, on Wednesday, Nov. 4.  The series, presented by Steven K. Ragsdale, MSL, will explore the role that Baltimore has played in shaping the world’s concepts on race, gender, and health care politics. Presentations will include “The Unknown, Untold Truth: The Roots of Inequity and Racism in Health Care” and “Nursing and Deconstruction of Systems and Historical Group Think.  Ragsdale is a senior consultant and former administrator with more than 25 years of experience building and managing hospital operations, developing health care innovations, and advancing pathways to better and safer care. His work in diversity, equity, and inclusion is guided by his deep understanding of and desire to appreciate concepts that drive difference as a normal part of society and how it animates behavior and performance over time. Ragsdale now provides expertise on standards of diversity, equity, and inclusion across medicine, education, environmental justice, and the law. As a lecturer, he provides guidance to students and professionals seeking to understand the value of socio-ecological modeling in developing culturally competent systems. “With our mission of developing leaders in education, research, and practice we cannot consider our ourselves highly effective without thoroughly embedding diversity and inclusion as core foundational principles,” said Jeffrey Ash, EdD, assistant professor and associate dean for diversity and inclusion. “As evidenced by our third HEED Award, our faculty, staff and students are becoming more aware and embracing our rich and vibrant working and learning environment where knowledge is created and shared. Through our teaching and learning, we will be relentless and unapologetic in our pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. We will be intentional, leaving no stone unturned, in our attention to diversity details, our passion, and our profound commitment to pursuing and addressing diversity and inclusion in health and the health care of individuals, communities, and those underrepresented and marginalized.” ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has named Veronica Quattrini, DNP, MS ’99, BSN ’85, FNP-BC, assistant professor, as the senior director for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Quattrini is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the DNP program. She also serves as the academic leader overseeing operational aspects of the program, such as admissions, clinical placement and tracking, and simulation. Quattrini has over 35 years of nursing experience and more than 20 years of experience as a nurse practitioner. She has held several leadership roles throughout her career, including serving as vice president of clinical support and training at ChoiceOne Urgent Care. During her role at ChoiceOne, she was instrumental in developing a clinical partnership between UMSON and ChoiceOne. In 2016, she joined UMSON as an adjunct faculty member, and in 2017, she became an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Health. Before joining UMSON, she taught at Thomas Jefferson University and Salisbury University. Quattrini is active on many committees at UMSON, including the DNP Curriculum Committee, the Advancing Implementation Science Education Leadership workgroup, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education workgroup, and the Interprofessional Education Student Activity subgroup. She is also a member of multiple professional organizations, including the Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland, where she recently completed a term on the financial board of directors and the executive board as treasurer; the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties; the American Association of Nurse Practitioners; and the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners. “Dr. Quattrini’s breadth of experience in advanced practice nursing and academia give her the skills to lead the DNP program into the future,” said Shannon K. Idzik, DNP ’10, MS ’03, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for the DNP Program. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore community extends its congratulations to Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FCP, FAAPS, dean of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), and UMSOP’s Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS. All three are recipients of the Baltimore Business Journal’s first-ever Leaders in Health Care Awards. Read More  

Assistant professor awarded funds for completing Certified Nurse Educator credential. Baltimore, Md. – Michelle Moulton, DNP ’19, MS ’09, RN, PCCN-K, CHSE, CNE, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, was named a recipient of the Academic Nurse Educator Certification (ANEC) Award granted by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) through the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II. She was awarded the maximum amount of $5,000 for demonstrating excellence as an academic nurse educator through achieving the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential. The CNE credential establishes nursing education as a specialty area of practice and creates a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. It communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met. By becoming credentialed as a CNE, she serves as a leader and role model. Developed by NSP II, which is funded by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by MHEC, at the request and with the guidance of the Maryland Council of Deans and Directors of Nursing Programs, the ANEC award program recognizes professionalism in support of ongoing faculty development requirements necessary to maintain the CNE credential. The awards are intended to assist Maryland nursing programs in recruiting and retaining nursing faculty to produce the additional nursing graduates required by Maryland’s hospitals and health systems. The award funds may be used to supplement the awardee’s salary; to pay for activities for professional development, including conference fees and travel and expenses for speaking engagements; to pay professional dues, CNE examination fees, and continuing education expenses; or to assist with graduate education expenses, such as loan repayment. To prepare for their own CNE certifications, Michelle R. Spencer, DNP ’19, MS ’06, BSN ’84, RN, assistant professor, and Patricia Zimberg, JD, MS, RN, assistant professor, completed a MHEC prep course,  Certified Nurse Educator Workshop, on Feb. 21, 2020.   “We are grateful to the Maryland Higher Education Commission for creating the Academic Nurse Educator Certificate Award program; it underscores the importance of the Certified Nurse Educator credential. We deeply appreciate MHEC’s support of our nursing faculty in preparing for and achieving this designation of expertise in nursing education,” said Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We congratulate Dr. Moulton on this achievement and look forward to her joining with other CNE-credentialed faculty to continually advance teaching excellence at UMSON.”   ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Eight alumnae join associate professor in cohort of AAN distinguished nurse leaders. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) proudly announces that Tonya Schneidereith, PhD, CRNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP-AC, CNE, CHSE-A, associate professor, and eight UMSON alumnae were selected as Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). They will be recognized for their contributions to health and health care at the academy’s annual Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference, taking place virtually Oct. 29 - 31, 2020. The following alumnae were also among the 230 distinguished nurse leaders who compose this year's cohort of AAN fellows: Kristen M. (Stanich) Brown, DNP, MS ’06, CRNP, CPNP-AC, CHSE-A Mary DiBartolo, PhD ’01, RN-BC, CNE, FGSA Jun-Yu Fan, PhD, MS ’93 Mary Fey, PhD ’14, MS ’01, RN, CHSE-A, ANEF Kathleen Griffith, PhD ’06, MPH, FNP-BC Catherine Haut, DNP ’10, MS ’93, CPNP-AC/PC, CCRN, FAANP Belinda Mandrell, PhD, MS ’91, BSN ’89, RN PNP Azizeh Sowan, PhD ’06, RN Criteria for selection as an AAN Fellow includes evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health care and sponsorship by two current AAN Fellows. Applicants are reviewed by a panel 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. The academy’s approximately 2,700 fellows, with the addition of this newest class, represent all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; the U.S. Virgin Islands; and 38 countries. Schneidereith is recognized throughout the nursing education community for spearheading state, national, and international service initiatives that advance simulation-based learning in prelicensure and nurse practitioner education. Her work has included the development of an unfolding case for the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Advancing Care Excellence-Pediatrics series, which combines storytelling with the experiential nature of simulation. She also co-created the NLN A VISION FOR Integration of the Social Determinants of Health into Nursing Education Curricula. She was recently appointed by leaders of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties to co-author the first nurse practitioner Simulation Guidelines and Best Practices, for which she is an associate editor. Schneidereith has also been named a Fellow of the National League for Nursing (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education. She was inducted at the 2020 NLN Education Summit, which took place virtually Sept. 23 - 25, 2020. She is one of only 15 distinguished nurse educators to be selected for the 14th class of fellows.  In a competitive application process, an Academy of Nursing Education Review Panel recommends fellowship candidates to the NLN Board of Governors. Evaluations take into account applicants’ contributions to innovative teaching and/or learning strategies; nursing education research; faculty development activities; academic leadership; promotion of public policy initiatives that advance nursing education; and/or collaborative educational, practice, or community partnerships. Fellows are expected to provide visionary leadership in nursing education and in the academy and to support the NLN’s vision. NLN academy membership now totals 317.  “We congratulate Dr. Schneidereith on the distinct honor of being named a Fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing and the National League for Nursing,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It speaks volumes about her dedication and commitment to innovations in teaching, to nursing education research, and to advancing the nursing profession. We are proud of her achievement and look forward to her continued contributions to the teaching, research, and practice missions of the School of Nursing as we work to improve the delivery of health care to our patients, their families, and our diverse communities.” ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

UMSON’s Pi Chapter becomes Pi at-Large Chapter during chartering ceremony. Baltimore, Md. – On Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s Pi Chapter of Sigma international nursing honor society officially recognized Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) as a member organization during a chartering ceremony, thus changing the chapter’s name to Pi at-Large Chapter. Sigma’s at-large chapters are organized groups of nursing students and nurse leaders from two or more schools of nursing or practice settings. The change to Pi at-Large reflects the chapter’s growth and will allow for greater collaboration between UMSON and AAMC. The union increases visibility of Pi at-Large in the workplace and promotes engagement, satisfaction, and retention of clinical nurses through opportunities to network and learn together  The chartering also formalized an existing partnership between Sigma’s Pi Chapter and AAMC. While leading the chapter’s Leadership Succession Committee in 2016, Cynthia Sweeney, DNP, BSN ’76, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN, vice president for nursing, The DAISY Foundation, now president of Pi at-Large Chapter, had an idea to engage and honor outstanding nurse leaders at local hospitals with Sigma membership. Sweeney worked with Barbara Jacobs, MSN, RN-BC, NEA-BC, AAMC vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer, to create a partnership to recognize outstanding nurse leaders at AAMC with an opportunity to join Sigma. To date, 32 nurse leaders from AAMC have been inducted into Pi at-Large Chapter.  “This opportunity brings together academic and practice settings, allowing us to acknowledge the strong leadership of nurses,” Sweeney explains. “I am very happy to see the links of practice and academia come together to further the mission of Sigma: ‘Developing nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere.’ The possibilities multiply when academia and practice come together with a common goal such as this one.” The chartering ceremony took place in conjunction with a virtual presentation from Ric Ricciardi, PhD, MS ’91, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, president of Sigma, on “The State of Nursing in the World: The Value of Infusing Joy.” During Ricciardi’s presentation, he shared the first report ever to collate the global state of nursing and midwifery, and he examined the impact of COVID-19 on the profession. Ricciardi also served as the chartering officer who ceremoniously designated Pi as an at-Large Chapter on behalf of Sigma.  “We can’t thank our University of Maryland School of Nursing colleagues enough for allowing us to partner,” Jacobs said. “Many of us have been members of Sigma since our undergraduate years, but this will allow us to participate in Sigma’s global work to enhance nursing practice.” Pi Chapter, which was established at UMSON in 1959, was founded as the 15th chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society (now known as Sigma), which today boasts over 540 chapters worldwide and more than 135,000 active members. “I want to extend a very warm welcome to Dr. Barbara Jacobs and our many nursing colleagues from the Anne Arundel Medical Center,” said Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, at the opening of the program. “We come together to enthusiastically embrace this new and innovative incorporation of a practice setting into Sigma.” ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. - The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) announces that Allison D. Davis, PhD ’06, MS ’03, BSN ’02, RN, assistant professor, has been appointed director of the Master of Science in Nursing program’s Community/Public Health Nursing specialty.  As specialty director, Davis is responsible for leadership of the master’s specialty and of community/public health nursing coursework in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and RN-to-BSN programs and in the entry-into-nursing Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) option. All community/public health nursing coursework has a strong focus on population health, social justice, and evidence-based programs. The Community/Public Health Nursing master’s specialty prepares graduates to assume leadership roles in addressing large-scale health challenges that impact entire communities. In her new role since May 1, Davis also oversees the academic trajectory of students in the master’s specialty and in the Environmental Health and Care Coordination certificates. Davis, a faculty member since 2004, teaches community/public health nursing to CNL students, Health Promotion and Population Health to master’s-level and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students, and Theory for Evidence Based Practice to DNP and Doctor of Philosophy students. She provides mentorship for other faculty members through the Nurse Leadership Institute for Nursing Practice and Education. She serves on the CNL and Post-Master’s DNP admission committees and conducts interviews for students applying to both of these programs. She is also a member of the American Public Health Association and the Association of Community Health Nurse Educators. “Dr. Davis brings a tremendous amount of experience to the role,” said Bimbola F. Akintade, PhD ’11, MS ’05, MBA, MHA, BSN ’03, CCRN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, associate professor and associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing program. “She is an astute teacher and leader, a mentor to faculty and students, and an asset to the University. We look forward to her dynamic and innovative contributions to the Community/Public Health Nursing specialty.” Davis succeeds Patricia McLaine, DrPH, MPH, RN, who served as the Community/Public Health Nursing specialty director from 2012 until her retirement in June 2020. Under McLaine’s leadership, the specialty expanded its program options to include an RN-to-MSN pathway and the Care Coordination Certificate. McLaine established and led the Community and Public Health Environmental Initiative to provide health oversight for children and families served by Baltimore City Early Head Start and Head Start centers, and she expanded connections and placements with local, state, and national community and public health organizations. Under her leadership, in 2016, the specialty received two American Association of Colleges of Nursing awards: the Innovation in Professional Nursing Education and the Innovations in Baccalaureate Population Health Award. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The board convened Thursday, Sept. 18, to honor the nine recipients of the 2020 USM Regents Staff Awards. The UMB recipients are: Judith Edelman, MA, administrator, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Mary Beth Gallico, CRA, administrator, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UMSOM Mishawn Smith, MBA, executive administrative assistant, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) “Our staff members along with our outstanding faculty and campus leadership are at the heart of USM's status as a nationally recognized system of academic excellence, dynamic research, meaningful impact and community service,” board chair Linda R. Gooden, MBA, said. Read More

Esther E. McCready, DPS (Hon.), DIN ’53, the first African American to gain admittance to the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), died at Peak Health Patapsco Nursing Home on September 2, 2020, after a lengthy illness.   In 1950, at only 19 years old, McCready pursued a Maryland Court of Appeals decision after UMSON originally denied her admission. Earlier, the School’s offer to pay McCready to attend a Tennessee nursing school had been upheld as legal by a Baltimore court. With the help of her attorney Thurgood Marshall, who had already gained prominence for his work with the NAACP, McCready sued for admission to UMSON, and the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in her favor. The case helped lay the groundwork for the 1954 landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. The ruling, however, marked only the beginning of McCready’s struggle for justice and equality. During her years at UMSON, she faced students who were hostile to her, professors who ignored her, and supervisors who attempted to sabotage her work. Yet, through it all, she maintained a quiet dignity and determination that could not be defeated. Her courage helped open the doors for generations of African-American nursing students, for whom she has served as a mentor and role model. Today, 49% of UMSON’s student body represents ethnic and racial diversity. Upon graduation in 1953, McCready passed the state nursing boards on her first attempt and began a career that included nursing, teaching, and public speaking. She worked in hospitals in Baltimore, Boston, and New York for 35 years. She pursued her passion for music, completing undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Manhattan School of Music. She credited her older brother as a significant influence on her musical appreciation; he taught piano lessons at home, and she was permitted to sit quietly in a corner and listen. Later, her brother would ask her to evaluate the lesson and the student’s performance. This early exposure left a lasting impression on McCready and stirred in her a desire for music education. She served for 20 years as an educator in the New York City public school system, sang with the Metropolitan Opera production of Porgy and Bess, and toured with opera singer Grace Bumbry. She also taught Raven Symone, the child actress who played Olivia on The Cosby Show. McCready returned to Baltimore in the mid-1990s and was active at the School as well as in the Baltimore community. She served on UMSON’s Board of Visitors from 1996 - 2004 and on the Alumni Council and as a docent for its Living History Museum from 2002 - 12. In 2004, McCready was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame for her unique and lasting contributions to the economic, political, cultural, and social life of the state. Always deeply interested in the challenges faced by nursing students, McCready took every opportunity to connect with and encourage students, including speaking with students as an invited guest to their classrooms, interacting with students as a volunteer docent at UMSON’s Living History Museum, and reaching out to students whenever she was on campus for alumni- or School-related events. In 2011, she was asked by UMSON Master of Science Clinical Nurse Leader option graduate Nicole Parson to serve as her pinner at the graduation ceremony. In 2014, on the occasion of the School’s 125th anniversary, she was inducted as one of the UMSON’s 25 inaugural Visionary Pioneers, selected for having made a significant impact on and contributions to the nursing profession based on their leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship. In 2015, McCready received a Doctor of Public Service honorary degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore – the same institution that in 1949 denied her entry to the School of Nursing because of her race. “There is a famous poem by African-American writer Langston Hughes that asks the question of what happens to a dream deferred,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, during the ceremony conferring the degree. “To Esther McCready, the answer is that it isn’t [deferred]. She applied to nursing school in the hopes of earning her diploma in nursing, and her application was denied. Never one to back down from a challenge, she agreed to let the NAACP argue her case in the Maryland courts. Not only were Esther’s dreams not deferred, but thanks to her courage and bravery, the dreams of so many others did not have to be, either. Esther, you are a civil rights icon, a transformational figure in education. You are a treasure.” Esther lived at home as long as she was able, and enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and the family of cats that kept her company and endlessly entertained her. Even in the final chapter of her life, when her voice was a whisper and movement required significant effort, she remained an independent, strong-minded woman. She spoke her mind, maintained her sense of humor, and shared her unique and profound experiences with anyone who would take the time to listen to this Visionary Pioneer for our time, for all time.   Read tributes to Esther McCready from those who knew her. In honor of Esther’s memory and legacy, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends may contribute to a scholarship established in her name at the School of Nursing. All gifts to the scholarship will be matched. You may contribute here.  

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but a lifelong attempt to acquire it.” The quote made famous by Albert Einstein reflects the beliefs behind the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) new Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL). ALL’s mission is to create and present health and human services academic content to inspire, engage, and educate learners from middle school through retirement. It is built to engage UMB alumni and the broader community in an online forum where more than two dozen subject matter experts answer questions submitted by the general public. The hot topic right now? The novel coronavirus, of course. Content recently added to the ALL website includes a video in which Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, describes what the school and its graduates and researchers are doing to fight the pandemic. Read More

Associate dean to serve on board as an advocate for minority nurses. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Bimbola F. Akintade, PhD ’11, MS ’05, MBA, MHA, BSN ’03, CCRN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, associate professor and associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing program, has been appointed to the Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNPs) of Color inaugural Board of Directors. DNPs of Color is a nonprofit nursing organization with a mission to serve DNPs of color through networking, mentorship, and advocacy to increase diversity in doctoral studies, clinical practice, and leadership. The nonprofit, which launched in May, works to create opportunities for engagement in academia, research, and clinical practice. It also advocates for educational support for DNPs of color. DNPs of Color, which began in the mid-Atlantic region, has expanded its reach nationally. “As a faculty member and leader at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, this appointment provides me with the opportunity to continue to inspire and highlight the many efforts of promoting diversity in the student body, staff, faculty, and leadership of the University,” Akintade said. “Being a founding board member of this unique and impactful association puts me in a position to advocate for minority nurses, especially those in doctoral programs. This is an important initiative to increase diversity in the nursing workforce while reducing health disparities for patients.” With 19 years of clinical experience (four years as a nurse and 15 years as an acute care nurse practitioner) in trauma and critical care, Akintade is aware of how serving the health care needs of diverse patients requires a diverse nursing workforce. As a DNPs of Color board member, he will support the organization’s mission, serve as an ambassador for the organization, and lend advice and expertise to the organization’s leadership. He will also help provide operational and fiscal oversight, attend and assist with development of fundraising events, solicit and evaluate prospective members, and participate in board meetings. Serving in this role allows Akindate to advocate for minority nurses nationwide, especially those in doctoral programs. It also helps him effectively identify opportunities to mentor and support minority students at UMSON through their academic journeys and beyond. At UMSON, where diversity is a source of strength and innovation, 46% of DNP students identify as members of minority ethnic/racial groups, compared to just 36% of DNP students nationally. Overall, 49% of UMSON students identify as members of minority ethnic/racial groups, while nationally, nurses from minority backgrounds represent just 19.2% of the registered nurse workforce. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Baltimore, Md. - The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) announces that Nancy Bolan, PhD, MPH, FNP, CNM, (left) assistant professor, has been named director of the Office of Global Health (OGH) and Lynn Marie Bullock, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, assistant professor, has been named director of the Office of Professional Education (OPE).  Bolan came to UMSON, joining the Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice (PPEP), in December. In her new role as director of OGH, which she assumed in March, Bolan is responsible for expanding established relationships, programs, and partnerships and ensuring that OGH’s activities are aligned with UMSON’s strategic goals. OGH works to build nursing capacity, strengthen health systems, and improve global health by supporting the UMSON community and international collaborators as they conduct education, research, and practice. Bolan came to UMSON from Geneva, Switzerland, where she worked with the World Health Organization as a policy and research consultant on newborn health and human resources for health. Over the past five years, she has been researching continuing education using mobile phones with health workers in sub-Saharan Africa and on strengthening health systems for improved maternal and newborn care. Bullock joined UMSON, also as a member of PPEP, in March. As director of OPE, she will oversee the School’s professional education and continuing education offerings, including symposia, conferences, institutes, lectures, and online continuing education courses through edX. The office also offers interprofessional continuing education programs in collaboration with other University of Maryland, Baltimore schools and manages the Nurse Leadership Institute, a yearlong leadership development program for nurse educators and clinicians. UMSON is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.  Bullock joined UMSON from Greater Baltimore Medical Center, where she was director of the Center for Nursing Excellence. Her expertise is in leading departmental and organizational initiatives in the areas of clinical practice, staff development, education, research, and quality measurement processes. “We welcome with excitement Dr. Bolan and Dr. Bullock to the Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, FAAN, associate professor and chair, PPEP. “We look forward to their strategic and visionary contributions to the School of Nursing.” ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.      

In Shira Devorah’s first semester in the Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader option at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) last spring, disappointment was not a planned part of the curriculum. That was before March 21, when clinical placement guidelines were put into place at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Under the guidelines, all in-person experiential learning activities with patients and clients were halted and converted to virtual activities, and distance simulation was encouraged. While understanding the need for such policies, Devorah said she felt like she was missing out on one of the most valuable aspects of her education: learning in a clinical setting. Thankfully, the disappointment was short-lived. Herculean efforts by UMSON faculty, staff, and partner institutions have resulted in reopening the doors to experiential learning. By the start of UMSON’s summer semester, with a host of safety protocols in place, Devorah and her classmates were participating in face-to-face simulation and in clinical experiences at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Additional students will participate in hands-on learning as of the fall semester. Read More

UMSON faculty member leads public health mission to prevent the spread of COVID-19. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Marik Moen, PhD ’18, MPH, RN, assistant professor, who teaches and has a clinical practice in community/public health nursing, sought to help the populations she serves to be safe, collecting face masks for patients living with HIV. But she sensed the need for deeper involvement in the COVID-19 response. A few weeks later, Charles “Chuck” Callahan, DO, vice president of population health, University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), invited Moen to serve as the director of nursing at the Lord Baltimore Hotel Triage, Respite, and Isolation (TRI) Center in downtown Baltimore. The center is one of the only isolation hotels of its type in the state and one of a few dozen isolation sites nationally. In March, the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) identified the need for isolation space for people with known or suspected COVID-19 to prevent outbreaks in congregate living settings. These patients were initially placed in a hotel setting where they received support from outreach workers, but BCHD quickly realized the need for more support to ensure clinical stability, triage to higher levels of clinical care when needed, and determine a timeline for isolation completion. In early May, the Mayor’s Office and BCHD negotiated a partnership with the Lord Baltimore Hotel and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) to establish the TRI Center to support residents with known or suspected COVID-19 who do not require hospitalization and are unable to self-isolate. The center opened to residents on May 12 with a public health mission to prevent the spread of disease. Residents at the TRI Center can be self-referred or are referred from emergency rooms, health care facilities, or congregate living facilities (shelters or substance use recovery settings). The center strives to serve all, regardless of circumstance. Moen has championed measures developed in collaboration with BCHD to implement appropriate accommodations for the safety and well-being of those who may use opioids, alcohol, or nicotine. Residents have twice daily checks by clinical staff, and if their health becomes compromised in any way, they are immediately transitioned to a hospital setting. The center accommodates individuals, couples, or families who are isolating together. Some floors are used for patients under investigation who have not yet tested positive for COVID-19; once their test results are returned, they are either moved to a positive patient floor or released following CDC guidelines. “Residential support staff work with hotel staff who go above and beyond to accommodate resident needs. This holistic approach is part of what makes this isolation site uniquely successful,” Moen says. “We strive to keep people comfortable and safe while they are here, and this is because we cannot emphasize enough the public health responsibility that we have. As of Aug. 11, we have served 400 people. Every person served equates numerous infections prevented in Baltimore and beyond.” According to findings published in The Lancet, swift isolation of COVID-19 positive people may play the largest role in controlling COVID-19 outbreaks. The registered nurses and clinical support (allied health) team are the bedrock of TRI Center and provide 24-hour, on-site care and support, working hand in hand with nurse practitioners and physicians. In addition to Moen, 13 clinical staff members at the center are UMSON alumni. Until mid-August, when Moen's role became part-time, she served as co-lead of the center in partnership with Kevin Burns, MD, MPH, DTMH, former TRI Center medical director for UMMS. “Five months ago, there was no facility like this in the United States, and we started quickly due to the immediate crisis that COVID created in Baltimore,” Burns says. “Looking at how our clinical team has come together, I can’t imagine a better person to lead this project with than Marik. Her background as a teacher and her experience with vulnerable populations in both hospital and community settings has been essential to our success. Our facility combines hospital and community nursing and medicine to care for the people we are helping isolate safely. Our nursing staff has become the backbone of our service.” Also, overseeing operations at the center are Vanessa Augustin, MS '20, RN, nurse manager at the TRI Center; Elise Gillespie, assistant deputy chief of staff, Office of the Mayor, who is leading overall operations at the TRI Center; Robert “Bobby” Harris, CRNP, Baltimore City Health Department, who is serving as the TRI center site director; and Amanda Rosecrans,  MD, MHS, Baltimore City Health Department, who is serving as TRI Center clinical director. To keep employees safe, every patient floor is located within one floor of a personal protective equipment (PPE) donning and doffing station, where providers put on and take off their PPE. A system of plastic-walled antechambers was installed to seal off areas where residents reside. Elevators operate solely within “hot” areas (access to COVID-19 positive residents) or “cold” areas (access to public spaces) so as not to cross-contaminate. A specialty environmental services company provides daily trash removal and disinfection during room turnovers between residents. “What I am doing is not like anything that I’ve ever done before, apart from supporting the populations I am familiar with, including persons who are experiencing homelessness and those who are vulnerable to ill health because of conditions of poverty or racial injustice,” Moen says. “In sailing the ship as we built it, we created an incredible institution within a matter of days. There was no template, everything was new, from the way isolation zones were created; management of personal protective equipment; how clinical procedures were to occur; coordinating with, at least, three different partners; and meeting residents’ unique needs during the challenge of COVID times.” The nurses at the TRI Center are involved in vetting referrals, performing intake assessments, conducting daily in-person resident checks-ins, and making follow-up phone calls when they assist with medical or mental health care needs. They coordinate care for residents such as facilitation of appointments with specialty or primary care providers; coordinate prescription medications for delivery, including opioid medication assisted treatment; and communicate and coordinate with outside health care providers, family members, and support programs. Nurses also provide education about COVID-19 and other health conditions and serve as a supportive and reassuring therapeutic presence. The nurses and clinical support staff are also responsible for assuring infection prevention training for all site staff, procuring and delivering over-the-counter medications and clinical supplies for residents, conducting inventory and materials management, and more. The collaboration is anticipated to continue as long as the need exists. View more photos:

Three University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) employees have been recognized with University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Staff Awards for 2020, and a professor from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) was honored with a USM Board of Regents Faculty Award earlier this year.  Mishawn Smith, MPA, executive administrative assistant, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, was honored for her commitment to diversity and passion for making UMB a better, safer, and more inclusive place for people to work. In her UMSON role, she supports associate dean for diversity and inclusion Jeffrey Ash, EdD, and founded the Booked for Lunch Book Club, where faculty, staff, and students can have honest discussions and review books, literature, and media on diversity, social justice, and professional development. The book club was named one of Insight Into Diversity magazine’s 2020 Inspiring Affinity Group Award winners and will be featured in its August 2020 issue. Read More

Eight faculty members receive funding to increase nursing capacity in Maryland.  Baltimore, Md. – University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been awarded six Nurse Support Program (NSP) II grants totaling more than $9.6 million. NSP II grants aid in increasing nursing capacity in Maryland by implementing statewide initiatives to grow the number of nurses prepared to serve effectively in faculty roles and by strengthening nursing education programs at Maryland institutions. Grants are funded through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. “We are thrilled that UMSON has received NSP II grant support for six significant projects, each of which will help address Maryland’s need for a well-educated and well-prepared nursing workforce,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are grateful to the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission for its generous support of nursing initiatives and to the Maryland Higher Education Commission for its leadership with regard to the NSP II program. Together, we are working to ensure that Maryland’s residents have access to excellent health care now and in the future.”  The NSP II grants awarded to UMSON faculty beginning in Fiscal Year 2021 include: Jana Goodwin, PhD, RN, CNE, assistant professor and director of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, and Maeve Howett, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, IBCLC, CNE, professor and associate dean for the BSN program - Entry‐Level BSN Expansion: UMSON at Shady Grove ($1,081,606 over five years) Using a phased approach, UMSON will increase admission for entry-into-practice BSN students at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland, from 64 to 100 each semester (fall and spring), growing the UMSON student body at USG by 72 students, which will require additional faculty, staff, classrooms, and simulation facilities. Funding will also be used to add a clinical coordinator position to assist in identifying and credentialing students. Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP, FNAP, FAAN, associate professor and chair of the Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice - Nurse Leadership Institute ($1,718,866 over five years) The Nurse Leadership Institute (NLI) recruits nurse faculty and clinicians to a yearlong program that prepares them to assume leadership positions, facilitate collaborative partnerships between academia and practice, and improve health outcomes for Maryland’s citizens. Over the past five years, the NLI has involved a total of 249 nurse leaders (127 fellows and 122 mentors). With this funding, NLI will continue to serve as a statewide resource for developing academic and practice nurse leaders.  Carol A. O’Neil, PhD, RN, CNE, associate professor - Advancing Nurse Educator Skills to Meet the Needs of Tomorrow ($3,987,694 over five years) With this funding, UMSON’s NSP II Cohen Scholars initiative will build on the success of UMSON’s Institute for Educator’s mission to prepare nurse educators and provide ongoing professional development. This grant will enhance the expertise and resources within the Institute for Educators and improve preparation of nurse educators, nurse faculty, or clinical educators and the quality of nurse education throughout Maryland. This Cohen Scholars initiative will also expand the current scholarship program and formalize a process to mentor and support cohorts of future nurse educators. Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD ’03, RN, FAAN, professor and director, Nursing Informatics master’s specialty - Care Coordination Education to Practice Scale Up ($1,343,858 over five years) With a prior NSP II planning grant, Nahm developed and piloted a Care Coordination/Health Information Technology (CC/HIT) focus area within UMSON’s RN-to-BSN program. Responding to high demand, her team then transformed the CC/HIT courses into separate online modules for nurses. With this funding, Nahm’s team will now implement CC/HIT’s innovative collaboration model, UMNursing Care Coordination Implementation Collaborative, to assess CC/HIT’s direct impact on patient outcomes, a joint effort between UMSON and the University of Maryland Medical System hospitals through the institutions’ academic-practice partnership, building upon a longstanding relationship between UMSON and the University of Maryland Medical Center. Amanda Roesch, DNP, MPH, FNP-C, assistant professor; and Ann Felauer, DNP ’18, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, assistant professor and director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care and Primary Care specialties - Head Start Partnership to Expand Pediatric Clinical Opportunities ($918,069 over four years) Felauer and Roesch will use the grant to expand UMSON’s capacity to provide pediatric clinical experiences to its entry-level and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)/advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) students through an innovative existing partnership with Maryland Family Network Early Head Starts and Head Starts in Maryland. This grant will help fill a critical gap in pediatric primary care clinical sites for DNP/APRN students and will offset the reduced size of hospital-based pediatric clinical sites while also providing required examinations and screenings for children enrolled in Early Head Start and Head Start. Victoria L. Selby, PhD ’17, MS ’09, BSN ’06, CRNP-PMH, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, assistant professor - Substance Use and Addictions Nursing Education Implementation ($584,484 over two years) Substance use disorders are a leading cause of death in Maryland and throughout the United States, having reached crisis proportions. This funding will expand nursing education in substance use and addictions by implementing a focus area for RN-to-BSN students and expanding graduate education in substance use and addictions nursing. This work builds upon UMSON’s successful planning grant, supported by a survey of 522 enrolled nursing students that found strong interest in education about substance use and addictions. Additionally, Crystal DeVance-Wilson, PhD ’19, MS ’06, MBA, BSN ’00, PHCNS-BC, assistant professor, is serving as a consultant on a $146,722 NSP II grant awarded to Morgan State University to support Maryland nursing schools to develop and implement mentoring programs. As part of the grant, DeVance-Wilson is coordinating an online workshop, Mentoring: A Strategy for Enhancing Student Engagement and Success, supported by UMSON’s Maryland Nursing Workforce Center. The workshop is the first step in preparing nursing schools across the state to develop and implement mentoring programs designed specifically for their students.  “This diverse array of projects will provide continued progress in a number of important areas,” Kirschling said, “including increasing the number of baccalaureate-educated nurses, increasing nursing knowledge regarding substance use and addictions, continuing to foster important collaboration between clinical nurses and academic faculty to improve patient care, expansion of care coordination and the delivery of patient-centered care, providing new opportunities for pediatric clinical nursing education, and facilitating the preparation of future nurse educators through the Cohen Scholarship program.” (left to right: Goodwin, Howett, Ogbolu, O'Neil, Roesch, Nahm, Selby, DeVance-Wilson. Not pictured: Felauer.) ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Researchers explore predictors of chronic pain and test function-focused care for Alzheimer's patients. Baltimore, Md. -  The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Susan G. Dorsey, PhD ’01, MS ’98, RN, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science; Cynthia Renn, PhD, MS ’97, RN, FAAN, associate professor; and Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, professor, Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, and co-director of UMSON’s Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan Organized Research Center, have been awarded more than $5.4 million by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund their research projects. Dorsey and Renn, with co-principal investigator Angela Renee Starkweather, PhD, have been awarded more than $3.1 million over five years to fund the research project Neurophysiological and Transcriptomic Predictors of Chronic Low Back Pain: Towards Precision Pain Management (NEAT Study). Resnick has been awarded more than $2.3 million over five years to fund the research project Testing the Efficacy of Function-Focused Care for Acute Care (FFC-AC-EIT) in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. One of the most common and costly chronic pain conditions is lower back pain, with as many as 39% of patients who experience an acute lower-back pain episode reporting chronic lower-back pain lasting more than three months and long-term disability lasting two or more years. The NEAT Study seeks to understand the transition from acute to chronic lower-back pain, which will enable researchers to identify biomarkers early in the transition period and to provide new therapeutic targets (e.g., newly identified signaling receptors that could be blocked in the central nervous system) at critical windows of opportunity to prevent and/or better manage chronic lower-back pain. The study will explore if differences in patients’ neurophysiology and gene expressions can be used to build a predictive model that will use lower-back pain to identify which patients might transition from acute to chronic pain.  “Chronic low-back pain affects millions of Americans each year and, unfortunately, it is difficult to prevent and manage,” Renn said. “Through this new grant, we hope to identify new therapeutic targets that will lead to new treatment strategies to prevent this often devastating condition.” Resnick’s research recognizes that older adults in assisted living settings are particularly at risk for a decline in function and physical health as are older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who are hospitalized. These individuals, along with nursing home residents, are at increased risk for delirium, falls, behavioral symptoms, and longer lengths of stay when hospitalized. Physical activity (e.g., mobility, bathing, dressing) has a positive impact on older adults, including prevention of functional decline, less pain, less delirium, fewer behavioral symptoms, fewer falls, shorter lengths of stay, and decreased unplanned hospital readmissions. Despite known benefits, physical activity is not routinely encouraged, and older patients in all care settings spend the majority of time sedentary.  To address this issue, Resnick developed the Function Focused Care (FFC) approach to care and an implementation approach using the social-ecological model, social cognitive theory, and the Evidence Integration Triangle (EIT) to manage behavioral symptoms associated with dementia across all care settings. FFC-AC-EIT involves a four-step approach in which nurses teach, cue, and help ensure that older adults engage in physical activity and that staff motivate them to do so during all care. With this recent NIH funding, Resnick will test the efficacy of FFC-AC-EIT at the patient level. She will also evaluate FFC-AC-EIT’s impact on policies and environments that facilitate function and physical activity by comparing hospital units exposed to FFC-AC- EIT versus those exposed to FFC education only. She will also evaluate the feasibility of using FFC-AC- EIT, based on treatment fidelity (e.g., delivery of the intervention, receipt of the intervention by staff and patients, enactment or performance of the new behaviors in real-world settings), relative costs, and cost savings. “I am so grateful to NIH to have the opportunity to test implementation approaches to change behavior among staff and older individuals to help optimize health and quality of life,” Resnick said. “Engaging in physical activity is critically important for older adults today, and I look forward to continued research in this area in the post-COVID-19 era.”  (left to right: Dorsey, Renn, and Resnick) ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Fellows are dedicated to the global advancement of nurse practitioners and high-quality health care.  Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) proudly announces that three of its faculty have been named 2020 Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP):   Bimbola F. Akintade, PhD ’11, MS ’05, MBA, MHA, BSN ’03, CCRN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP, assistant professor and associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing program  Kristen Rawlett, PhD ’14, FNP-BC, FAANP, assistant professor  Jan Wilson, DNP ’09, MS ’94, BSN ’74, CRNP, NNP-BC, FAANP, assistant professor and director of UMSON’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Neonatal Nurse Practitioner specialty.   UMSON alumnae Kathleen Cox, DNP ’14, MS ’07, and Stefanie Glenn, MS ’02, BSN ’00, have also been selected as Fellows.   The AANP is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties, representing the interests of the more than 290,000 licensed NPs in the United States. The association’s Fellows are NP leaders who have made outstanding contributions to education, policy, clinical practice, or research. AANP Fellows work toward furthering the profession, developing nurse leaders, and enhancing AANP’s mission of empowering NPs to promote and advance high-quality health care. The five UMSON faculty and alumni will be inducted as of June 28; as members of AANP’s 20th cohort of fellows, they will join more than 800 other fellows nationally.   “We are extremely proud of our newly elected fellows and congratulate them on this tremendous honor,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It is gratifying that they have been recognized by their peers for their contributions to health care as nurse leaders. It is a testament to their ongoing efforts to further the role of nurse practitioners and advance excellence in nursing.”  NPs assess, diagnose, and treat acute and chronic diseases as well as counsel, coordinate care, and educate patients regarding their illnesses, bringing a comprehensive perspective to health care. Americans make more than 1.06 billion visits to NPs annually. NPs are poised to deliver increasingly more of the nation’s primary care services, supplementing the current physician-based primary care workforce, which is under enormous strain. Nearly 20 million Americans gained health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010, which included provisions to bolster primary care provided by nurse practitioners.  The AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state, and national levels; promotes excellence in practice, education, and research; and establishes standards that best serve NPs’ patients and other health care consumers.   (left to right: Akintade, Rawlett, and Wilson) ###  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.   

In what Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, described as a ceremony that won’t soon be forgotten, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) recognized its Class of 2020 with an unprecedented virtual conferral of degrees watched by more than 1,100 graduates, faculty, staff, and alumni. “Although each graduation ceremony is momentous, this one in particular — the first virtual conferral of degrees in our 131-year history — is something that I am sure we will always remember,” Kirschling told graduates via Webex in the May 14 ceremony. The Class of 2020 consisted of 209 Bachelor of Science, 106 Master of Science, three PhD, 104 Doctor of Nursing Practice, and eight certificate graduates. “Of course, we truly hope that it will be possible to join together at a future date and celebrate in person, but for now, it is important that we go ahead and recognize the achievements of our graduates — especially under such unique and difficult circumstances,” Kirschling added. Nursing, at its very core, is a profession marked by a deep dedication and commitment to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of patients and communities. “However, the events of this spring — our national and global struggle to combat COVID-19 — give additional meaning to this dedication,” Kirschling continued. “It is a reminder that nursing does not have the opportunity to pick and choose its moments of service, but rather, it must always be at the ready to respond.” She paid special tribute to audience members who have been serving on the front lines of the pandemic, including 107 students, who, after meeting certain criteria, were able to join the workforce prior to graduation. She also thanked graduates who had volunteered to serve in other capacities during the pandemic. “To all of our students, you have successfully persevered during this semester, completed your studies, and earned your degrees, all while balancing multiple demands and stresses. You have my deepest respect and that of all of us for your efforts and hard work,” Kirschling said. May 2020 graduates were celebrated during a week marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, recognized as the founder of modern nursing. Her protégé Louisa Parsons, a graduate of Nightingale’s legendary nursing school, became the first superintendent of UMSON, in 1889. Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, interim president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, also participated in the ceremony, conferring the degrees. As Kirschling pointed out, Jarrell, a skilled metal worker and artist, crafted UMSON’s ceremonial mace, with assistance from his daughter, Gwynneth, BSN ’06. The mace, usually on stage during the school’s Convocation ceremony at Royal Farms Arena, remains on display year-round in the UMSON lobby. In what has become a familiar scene to anyone working or learning from home during the pandemic, UMSON faculty and administrators also took part in the ceremony, visible in each of their own screens, dressed in full regalia. Associate deans offered congratulatory remarks and expressed hopes for celebrating the students’ accomplishments at an in-person ceremony one day. “Today, it is quite obvious that we are in the midst of an exceptional time, but although COVID-19 brings a particular set of challenges, there will always be challenges of some type during your nursing careers — just as there have been for those who have preceded you,” Kirschling said. “I urge you to meet them with the same commitment to patient care and to making a difference in the lives of families and communities that inspired your decision to become a nurse and fuels your passion for nursing.” The ceremony closed with a virtual recitation of the Professional Nursing Pledge by graduates, nurses on the faculty, and nurses in the viewing audience. “On behalf of the entire University of Maryland School of Nursing, all of us join in celebrating your achievements and we send you forward to serve, knowing that each one of you will contribute to improving the health and well-being of our state, our nation, and our world,” Kirschling concluded. “Congratulations, graduates! The world is in your hands!” View photos from the Virtual Degree Conferral, here. View the May 2020 Graduate Photo Montage, here. 

For instance, School of Nursing (SON) professor Kirsten Corazzini, PhD, FGSA, has had to make adjustments to her project, “Developing Capacity for Long-Term Care of Older Adults Living with Dementia in Brazil,” because the study’s population includes nursing home caregivers and residents, a group at the highest risk of COVID-19-related deaths. “Just as we see nursing homes in the United States struggling to keep residents and staff safe, so, too, are our geriatric medicine clinician-researcher partners in Brazil struggling to provide safe and compassionate care,” says Corazzini, whose project partners are SON assistant professor Vivian Schutz, PhD, MBA, RN, and School of Pharmacy assistant professor Ester Villalonga Olives, PhD, MSc. “How to collect data and co-develop new models of care in this context, therefore, requires integrating COVID-19-related measures and questions, ensuring that the knowledge gained addresses our shared and emergent needs.” Read More

Brian Zelip, MSLIS, MA, emerging technologies librarian at the University of Maryland Health Sciences and Human Services Library’s (HS/HSL) Innovation Space, answered the call to arms for 3D printers to help with personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturing during the COVID-19 outbreak. “This is Baltimore, where making is a tradition,” Zelip said. Zelip lugged the 138-pound Raise3D N2 printer from HS/HSL to his Baltimore home during the lockdown as institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and others released files to print PPE components. His wife’s handbag-making studio is now a miniature PPE plant. When the University Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) asked for help from the community with PPE components, Zelip got to work making ear savers for surgical masks. The first batch of 100 was an S-shaped tool. Read More

In response to COVID-19, early exit offered to select entry-into-practice students. Baltimore, Md. - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s request, and UMSON’s assessment of students’ readiness, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has approved an early-exit option for students who want to begin working as nursing graduates in an effort to bolster the nursing workforce. The early-exit option is available to select students in the entry-into-practice Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s option who are scheduled to graduate on May 14, 2020, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Hogan’s public health surge plan has called for the addition of up to 6,000 hospital beds across the state, including the reopening of Laurel Hospital as well as a field hospital and alternate care site at the Baltimore Convention Center. The School of Nursing has collaborated with the chief nursing officers of major hospital systems and ascertained their need for and interest in hiring nursing graduates and designed a protocol for linking UMSON’s early-exit students to these institutions, which in addition to the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine includes MedStar Health, Holy Cross Health, and Shady Grove Adventist. UMSON has 98 BSN and 53 CNL students who are qualified to request an early exit.  “We are very pleased to partner with key Maryland health care systems to support them in meeting their needs for nursing personnel during this incredibly critical time,” said Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The UMSON students opting into our early-exit option are well prepared and fully equipped to make a major contribution through their service as nursing graduates. I salute those students eligible and willing to serve under this unique initiative. And, I applaud all of our students for their dedication and resiliency during this tumultuous time, whether they are persevering in continuing their educational studies under difficult circumstances or are preparing to graduate and serve our larger community.”    To be eligible for the early-exit option, students need to meet specific GPA and academic program requirements. Once interested students notify the School of their desire to participate, UMSON will provide a letter to these students that they can provide to prospective employers stating that they have met all the program requirements and have qualified for and taken an early-exit option from UMSON. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

When student Maria Segovia received an email from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), inviting students, alumni, faculty, and staff to sew cloth masks to be donated to University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) to assist employees on the front lines of the COVID-19 epidemic, she knew she wanted to get involved. In the last few weeks, UMSON has collected more than 3,000 cloth face masks from across the country. Packages of homemade face masks show up daily at the home of Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor and chair of UMSON’s Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, who along with volunteer Deb Greenspan, a retired seamstress for the Baltimore Ravens, launched the campaign. On April 8, a batch of 600 was dropped off at UMMC.  Read More

At the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), even before the UMB guidelines went into effect, students were already being asked by partner placement sites to stop reporting to their clinical rotations, said Maeve Howett, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, IBCLC, CNE, professor and associate dean for baccalaureate education. “We started with eight students [being turned away from their clinical rotations] and then all of a sudden, it was everyone,” she said. Before long, all nursing students were out of their clinical settings. UMSON leadership purchased high-fidelity software that simulates patient care in 3-D modeling, providing students with learning experiences similar to virtual reality alternatives, but with no special glasses needed. Similar software programs are used for military, surgical, and submarine training, Howett said. The software, on three different platforms, vSim for Nursing, I-Human Patients, and DocuCare, simulates nurse scenarios using virtual patient encounters. These programs will be used by all students in lieu of clinical instruction until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, Howett said. “They will be able to meet all the learning objectives,” she said. “It is almost the same amount of hours and the intensity level is high. You are not taking the time to get a towel or bring someone grape juice. We can give a lot of experience in a short amount of time.” Because UMSON already places a strong emphasis on simulation, with state-of-the-art simulation labs at its Baltimore and Universities at Shady Grove locations, “we are in a better position than a lot of other schools of nursing,” Howett said. “We are ready to roll and we are confident that simulation is a great substitute [for clinical settings]. The data is there that this is a good substitute. We have to do it in very unusual circumstances but it’s OK. We are going to be all right.” Read More

Research examines the impact of a Cancer Survivorship Patient Engagement Toolkit. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD ’03, RN, FAAN, professor and director, Nursing Informatics master’s specialty, has received a one-year, $15,000 UMNursing grant, a joint venture between UMSON and the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), for the project “The Impact of a Digital Cancer Survivorship Patient Engagement Toolkit (CaS-PET Silver) on Older Cancer Survivors’ Health Outcomes: A Pilot Study.” Nahm has partnered with Mary McQuaige, BSN, RN, OCN, at the UMMC Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center to conduct the research.  As of Jan. 1, 2019, there were more than 16.9 million cancer survivors living in the United States, and the number is expected to reach more than 22.1 million by 2030, according to the American Cancer Society. This is a testament to advanced research and health technologies that are allowing survivors to live longer. Nahm and McQuaige’s research is focused on providing older cancer survivors with the support they need through digital technologies, offering them resources and support in community settings, and connecting them to their peers in an online environment where they are already spending time. Through the grant, Nahm and McQuaige will work to assess the preliminary impact of CaS-PET Silver Plus, an online portal that uses resource modules, informed by clinicians, on topics relevant to cancer survivors, such as diet and managing difficult emotions. Appropriate amounts of information are delivered in a user-friendly format at the right time. “Upon completion of the cancer treatment, we send e-messages every other week through the patient portal to ask how they’re doing, and in the messages we embed links to support modules and video lectures,” Nahm said, adding that cancer survivorship has become a population health issue. “Survivors’ numbers will increase because of the advanced treatment, but it doesn’t mean that their quality of life is guaranteed. It’s important that we provide continuous support to enhance quality of life for the rest of their lives.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader option remains No. 2.    Baltimore, Md. — In the newly released 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has remained ranked among the best schools in the nation for its overall Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, out of 603 accredited nursing schools surveyed.   The MSN Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) option, the only such program in Maryland, remains ranked No. 2 in the nation for the second year in a row. The program has been ranked among the top five in the nation for more than five years. Launched in 2005, UMSON’s innovative CNL program has prepared more than 1,000 students with degrees in other fields to enter the nursing workforce.  The School’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) DNP specialty rose in the nationwide rankings to No. 4 among all schools of nursing and No. 1 among public schools of nursing. The specialty is offered both in Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland, an effort to expand FNP education to better meet the needs of nurses and to prepare them to practice in underserved areas in the western, more rural portion of the state. The program boasts a 100% pass rate on the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board exam for its 2019 graduates.   Among public schools of nursing, UMSON also ranked No. 1 in the nation in the DNP Administrative/Management category (No. 7 among all public and private schools) and the DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (No. 8 among all schools). In the MSN Nursing Administration category, UMSON ranked No. 4 among public schools of nursing and No. 11 among all schools.  With the 2021 rankings, U.S. News is no longer ranking a number of specialty areas and has chosen to rank many nurse practitioner programs only at the master’s level. Such previously top-ranked UMSON programs include the Nursing Informatics master’s specialty, which was ranked No. 1 for the entire period the organization ranked such programs; the Nurse Anesthesia DNP specialty; the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner DNP specialty; and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Family DNP specialty.   UMSON launched its DNP program in 2006, as one of only 20 such programs in the nation at that time. Subsequently, in response to national recommendations from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and others to provide nurse practitioner education at the doctoral level, UMSON transitioned its advanced practice nursing programs from the master’s to the doctoral level.   “It is gratifying to continue to be recognized nationally for our master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The School of Nursing continues to play a vital role in state and national efforts to increase the number of nurses with advanced degrees, which we believe is essential to ensuring that nurses are well prepared to meet the needs of our communities as our health care system becomes increasingly complex, provides care across a broad array of sites, and responds to the growing diversity of our population and the increasing number of older individuals in need of care.”  Rankings are based on a variety of indicators, including student selectivity and program size, faculty resources, and research activity, and on survey data from deans of schools of nursing that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.    # # #   The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Students attending IPE Day enhanced their knowledge of using a team-based approach to health care, law, and social work as they assisted actors playing the role of patients addicted to prescription opioids. The 220 students came from UMB as well as the University of Maryland, College Park, which was represented by participants who study audiology or speech language pathology. The day began with a welcome from UMB Interim President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, and UMB Center for Interprofessional Education (CIPE) director Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON). Read More

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has named Bimbola F. Akintade, PhD ’11, MS ’05, MBA, MHA, BSN ’03, CCRN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, assistant professor, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, as the associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. He succeeds Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD ’96, RN, PMHCNS, BC, CNL. Akintade is responsible for providing vision and leadership for the master’s program, including innovative program development and integration of technology. He is also responsible for administration and program coordination, curriculum planning, student recruitment, advisement, and retention. In addition, he will continue the School’s development of partnerships with other academic institutions and health care organizations to facilitate entry of nurses into the master’s programs. In 2011, Akintade joined UMSON as an assistant professor in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist specialty (AGACNP); he became AGACNP co-specialty director in 2012 and served as specialty director from 2013-16. He helped lead the AGACNP program’s conversion from a master’s-level specialty to the DNP and he served as a member of the Master’s to DNP Transition Task Force. He also participated in the specialty’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation process in 2014. Akintade teaches in the Master of Science in Nursing Health Services Leadership and Management specialty. His teaching areas have included diagnosis and management, health care finance, nursing leadership, and biostatistics. He has more than 17 years of nursing experience, including more than 13 years of clinical experience as an acute care nurse practitioner in trauma and critical care nursing. He currently practices at the University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center, part of University of Maryland Capital Region Health, in the Trauma/Surgery Intensive Care Unit; his prior experience includes the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s Surgical Critical Care Department. Akintade’s research and scholarship include his current role as co-principal investigator for the Nurse Support Program II grant “Development and Implementation of a Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Clinical Training Program.” He has been an author on 11 peer-reviewed articles and eight book chapters. He has served as a member of Doctor of Philosophy dissertation committees and as chair or member of DNP scholarly project committees. "I am delighted that Dr. Akintade has assumed the role of associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing program; he is well prepared to build upon the legacy of Dr. Lemaire, who has played such a significant leadership role in master’s education at UMSON since 2005," said Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. "Dr. Akintade brings considerable teaching, practice, and research experience to his new role, as well as a solid understanding of the School of Nursing and its highly diverse student population. I am certain that he will do an outstanding job in his new role and foster the continued innovation of our master’s-level offerings." Akintade holds a PhD from UMSON, where he also earned his master’s and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. He also holds a Master of Science in Business Administration, International Healthcare Business, and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, Healthcare Organizational Leadership, from the University of Maryland, University College (now University of Maryland Global Campus). He has been recognized as a Scholar by Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy. Lemaire, PhD ’96, RN, PMHCNS, BC, CNL, who served as associate dean for the master’s program from 2015, is continuing as a faculty member serving in a part-time role. Lemaire, a psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist and psychotherapist, has been a faculty member at UMSON since 2000. She previously served as the director of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s option, an entry-into-practice pathway for individuals who hold a degree in a different field, from 2008 - 15 and was the option’s co-director from 2005 - 08. Her leadership of the CNL option from its inception was instrumental in garnering its national reputation for excellence; it is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation. The School of Nursing’s master’s program enrolls more than 500 students, including more than 230 in the CNL option. UMSON also offers master’s-level specialty areas in Nursing Informatics, Community/Public Health Nursing, and Health Services Leadership and Management. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Student completing Bachelor of Science in Nursing with full scholarship funded by Bill and Joanne Conway. Baltimore, Md. – Lauren Russell, BS, RN, became the first student from the University of Maryland (UM) Prince George’s Hospital Center to take advantage of a full scholarship and enroll in the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) through its Conway Scholarship Hospital Partnership Program. Funds for the Conway Scholarship Hospital Partnership Program, which seeks  to facilitate baccalaureate-level education for registered nurses at the UM Prince George’s Hospital Center, part of UM Capital Region Health, and at the UM Medical Center Midtown Campus, come from a transformational $10 million gift from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation. The Conway Scholarship covers in-state tuition, fees, books, and the cost of community college prerequisites required for admission to UMSON’s RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The gift will fund Conway Scholarships for 42 registered nurses to earn their BSN degrees through the Hospital Partnership Program.  Russell, a clinical nurse I on the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at UM Prince George’s Hospital Center, has recently begun her second semester in UMSON’s RN-to-BSN program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in community health from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2013 and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Baltimore City Community College in 2016. She becomes the second RN-to-BSN student to enroll at UMSON through the program, following a student from the UM Medical Center Midtown Campus who began the program in spring 2019. Russell said she is excited to be continuing her education at another University of Maryland institution and hopes eventually to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist. “Receiving the Conway Scholarship has opened so many doors for me,” Russell said. “My plan was always to go back to school, even though I knew it would be difficult to do so while working full time, and I didn’t know how I would afford it without taking out more loans. Now everything is coming together as it was meant to, and that’s an amazing feeling.” “We are excited to welcome Lauren Russell as the first Conway Scholar from UM Prince George’s Hospital Center under our Hospital Partnership Program,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “As a clinical nurse, Ms. Russell has already demonstrated her dedication and commitment to excellent patient care. This program gives us the opportunity to support her further education, so that as a BSN-prepared nurse, she can continue to expand her role in serving our community. Ensuring a well-prepared nursing workforce is in keeping with our longstanding academic-practice partnership with the University of Maryland Medical System and the truly visionary philanthropy of the Conways.” The Conway Scholarship Hospital Partnership Program is helping to respond to one of the central recommendations of the Institute of Medicine’s landmark 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, which seeks to increase the percentage of nurses educated at the baccalaureate level. The Conways have pledged more than $15 million to UMSON since 2015. Their most recent gift was the largest outright scholarship gift in UMSON’s history. In addition to funding the Hospital Partnership Program, the Conways’ latest gift will fund 341 scholarships, bringing the total number of students benefiting from Conway Scholarships to more than 470. The Conways decided several years ago that their philanthropy should help people who have demonstrated financial need to receive the education necessary to obtain jobs. Bill Conway is a founder, co-chief executive chairman, and director of the Carlyle Group in Washington, D.C. The Conways are trustees of the couple’s Bedford Falls Foundation, which has bestowed significant nursing scholarships in the Mid-Atlantic region. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Baltimore, Md. - The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has named Maeve Howett, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, IBCLC, CNE, as associate dean for the baccalaureate program and professor in the Department of Family and Community Health. UMSON’s baccalaureate program offers two Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) options: traditional BSN or RN-to-BSN for licensed RNs. As associate dean, Howett is responsible for facilitating innovative program development and the integration of technology to shape the educational experiences of entry-level students. She is also developing partnerships with other academic institutions and health care organizations to assist with the transition of transfer students and students who are graduates of associate degree nursing programs. She joins UMSON from the University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Nursing, where she served as a clinical professor and assistant dean of undergraduate education. While at her former institution, Howett served on the Chancellor’s Campus Resiliency Taskforce, the Undergraduate Deans Council, and the Academic Matters Council; as the College of Nursing’s representative to the Western Massachusetts Nursing Collaborative; and as a member of the Technology Committee of the American Association of Nurses, Massachusetts Chapter. She received her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, master’s degree in nursing, and PhD in Nursing from Emory University in Atlanta, where she has also served in a variety of capacities, including clinical professor. Howett’s research efforts include serving as the lead for the Community Outreach and Translation Core on “Center for Children’s Health, the Exposome, the Microbiome, and Metabolomics (C-CHEM2),” funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She was co-principal investigator for “Analysis of Neonatal Admissions at CHOA: A Pilot Proposal for the Birth and Neonatal Outcomes CORPH from the Clinical Outcomes Research and Public Health Pilot Grants Program,” funded by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She has also produced more than 50 scholarly journal articles; book chapters; and international, national, and regional presentations. Howett has received numerous honors and awards, including being selected as a Higher Education Resource Services Leadership Institute fellow, an American Association of Colleges of Nursing Leadership for Academic Nursing Program fellow, and a National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Health Policy Advocacy scholar. She currently serves on the EPA’s Children’s Health Protection Advisory Council. She succeeds Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, associate professor, who served in the associate dean role from 2016 and was the interim associate dean from 2015 - 16. Trocky has returned to full-time teaching as an associate professor, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. She worked diligently to apply her skills and abilities to the complex task of managing the ongoing growth of UMSON’s baccalaureate programs. Under her leadership, UMSON continued to lead the way in addressing Maryland’s statewide nursing shortage. She created collaborations with educational partners throughout Maryland, including UMSON’s successful Dual-Admission Partnerships program that now reaches into every corner of the state; she supported the launch of the Conway Scholars program; and she developed relationships with UMSON’s hospital partners.                                                                         ###  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

The two hour expo designed to highlight the combined power of the two institutions to grow the state economy, advance research, and demonstrate service to Maryland citizens, featured some of the best collaborations between the state’s largest research engines. University of Maryland School of Nursing student Lexi Saunders credits The University of Maryland Scholars Summer Research Program (UM Scholars) funded by MPower, with helping her to clarify her career path. Saunders spent 10 weeks in the summer of 2019 working with NIH-funded researcher Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, MS, associate professor, School of Nursing, assisting Colloca in her groundbreaking exploration of pain treatment. “I had an interest in research as well as in nursing, but I wasn’t really sure how the two came together,” said Long. “This program really allowed me to figure out that research does play an important role in nursing and vice versa.” Read More

Students complete traditional four-year undergraduate experience before entering competitive master’s program. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) have launched a Guaranteed Seat Partnership for UMSON’s Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Option, which prepares students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than nursing for careers as the nation’s most trusted professionals, according to Gallup.  The CNL Guaranteed Seat Partnership, the first of its kind, is for students who wish to have a four-year undergraduate experience, plan to become a nurse, and want to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Through the partnership, UMSON provides UMBC students who meet criteria with guaranteed admission to its competitive CNL program, ranked No. 2 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. The CNL role was developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in 2003 to address the critical need to improve the quality of patient care outcomes. A CNL helps solve complex health care challenges via an advanced degree and collaborates with health care providers from other disciplines to ensure the most effective and efficient care possible. The partnership positions students for career progression and for doctoral education and allows students to leverage their first degree in a strategic and supported way. “This partnership deepens the strong relationship we have with our colleagues in Catonsville as we provide pathways for exceptionally talented students at UMBC who wish to complete their undergraduate education and then embark upon their nursing journey with us,” said Larry Fillian, associate dean for Student and Academic Services, UMSON. “The UMBC undergraduate educational experience is exceptional and produces students who think critically, communicate effectively, and appreciate an approach to learning which is both grounded in theory and in practice. These skills will serve students very well in nursing school, and we look forward to ensuring their educational dreams become a reality.” Any undergraduate major is applicable. Interested UMBC students should speak to their advisors; UMSON expects the first partnership students to matriculate into its CNL program in fall 2021. “We are proud to be working with our colleagues at UMSON to offer UMBC students a unique opportunity to pursue a career as a medical professional after completing a traditional four-year degree in any major,” said William R. LaCourse, dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at UMBC. “A strong liberal arts education teaches students to effectively communicate, solve problems, and have cultural competence. This multidisciplinary approach will better serve patient and societal needs in the field of nursing.”   Selected students will know early in their undergraduate career if they’ve been accepted to the partnership program and can then plan for the CNL pathway and trajectory accordingly. To be eligible to apply to UMSON, students must have completed at least 45 undergraduate credits at UMBC, have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 science GPA, and interview at UMSON. For those in the partnership program, the UMSON application fee will be waived. Hands-on advising at UMBC and UMSON will ensure students take the correct prerequisites courses during their undergraduate studies. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

“The thing with interdisciplinary learning is each discipline comes from a different perspective, and the point of this, in these teams, they’re already divided into different disciplines,” said Jackie Bateman, DNP, RN, CHPN, CNEcl, from UMSON. “We have dental, medicine, nursing, physical therapy, and pharmacy. So they’re learning how to communicate in a basic activity now, putting together dominoes in a set design versus being over top of a patient in a critical situation.” READ MORE  

“We celebrate you today and we anxiously anticipate the contributions you will make as the next chapter of your career unfolds. Our nation and our global society look to you to create the future of human health,” said Rear Adm. Carol A. Romano, PhD ’93, MS ’85, BSN ’77, RN, NEA-BC, FACMI, FAAN, dean and professor, Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, who served as the keynote speaker at the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s Dec. 12 Graduation ceremony.At Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre, 220 degrees were conferred by Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACS, University of Maryland, Baltimore executive vice president, provost, and dean of the Graduate School who will soon begin his tenure as UMB interim president. This included 117 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 92 Master of Science, four Doctor of Nursing Practice, and three Doctor of Philosophy degrees and four certificates. At a sister ceremony at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland, the following day, Jarrell conferred 70 BSN degrees.“Nurses are on the frontline of protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of our nation. Nurses are the heroes of health who dare to care,” Romano told the audience during her address. “Our nation needs its nurses, every one of them. Nurses promote health, nurture the human response to illness, direct the social reintegration of people’s lives, and advance the quality and safety of care.”Student speaker Rose Catherine Vielandi, MS ’19, a graduate of the Clinical Nurse Leader master’s option, encouraged her classmates to remember where their journeys began.“We all come from such different stages and places in our lives and yet we all have one thing in common: A few years ago, we decided to take a leap of faith. We wanted to be a part of a profession driven by compassion, selflessness, and love,” Vielandi said. “We all knew what we wanted from our professions and we were willing to fight for it.”Romano concluded her remarks with this reminder: “This calling to serve others is demanding, it is tiring, it is stressful. And your most important contributions in making a difference in people’s lives will not always be celebrated like today, but they will be no less significant. You will touch and change lives. You will bring hope to the hopeless, and you will be called to greatness.” top: Romano addresses the audience; bottom: graduates stand with their pinners on stage

Research to explore using video clips and virtual reality for acute pain management. Baltimore, Md. – Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, MS, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded more than $3.6 million by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund the research project Neural Correlates of Hypoalgesia Driven by Observation. The nation’s opioid epidemic has highlighted the increasing need for scientific knowledge about inhibiting neural pain as the foundation for low-risk, non-opioid-based pain interventions. Understanding humans’ propensity for social learning, Colloca and her team are the first to demonstrate that social observation can generate expectations about the effectiveness of treatment, which in turn can alter clinical responses. Discovering the underlying mechanisms of pain relief due to social observation can be a basis for interventions from cognitive behavioral therapy to virtual reality that can then be applied to acute and chronic pain management. Colloca’s research is focused on understanding how social learning affects neural systems to enhance internal analgesic responses in the brain, release internal opioids in the brain (also called endorphins), potentially reducing reliance on opioids. The newly awarded NIH Research Project Grant seeks to generate research on the underlying mechanisms that can be used to develop easily implementable therapeutic strategies, such as video clips and virtual reality tools, for acute pain management. This is relevant in acute pain settings as an alternative to opioid therapy. The grant will provide $3,659,838 in funding over five years. “Research in non-pharmacological pain management seeks to offer alternatives to pain treatments that carry severe side effects. This endeavor is of increasing importance as opioid addiction and deaths in the United States rise and as governmental agencies recommend health care practitioners and patients move away from opioid-based pain management,” Colloca said. “An approach to pain management that combines pain reduction related to social observation and virtual reality tools presents novel opportunities for reducing patient suffering and contributing to clinically relevant knowledge for future therapeutic approaches. The proposed research can be directly applied to developing easily implementable therapeutic strategies for acute pain management.” Building upon years of experience in placebo research with University of Maryland, Baltimore collaborators experienced in brain mapping and pain research, Colloca and her team aim to discover how social observation can inhibit pain and serve as an alternative therapeutic treatment for pain. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

A team from the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Schools of Social Work, Nursing , and Medicine  has received a three-year $1.35 million workforce development grant from the Health Services Resources Administration (HSRA) to address the opioid crisis. The long-term goal is to build a behavioral health workforce focused specifically on this population in high-need locations and to model the effectiveness of using interprofessional core competencies to change future practice and improve health outcomes. Paul Sacco, PhD, MSW, associate professor and associate dean of research will coordinate the project at SSW. Charon Burda, DNP ’16, PMHCNS, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health, and director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner–Family specialty, will lead the project at UMSON, assisted by her school colleague Katherine Fornili, DNP ’16, MPH, RN, CARN, FIAAN, assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health at UMSON. Burda will serve as co-director of the grant and Fornili will be program trainer. Devang Gandi, MBBS, MD, adjunct associate professor, and Eric Weintraub, MD, associate professor, Department of Psychiatry, will organize and implement the program at UMSOM. Read More

For the second year in a row, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has won the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The HEED Award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. UMSON was among 43 institutions recognized with the HEED Award, and all are featured in the December 2019 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education.   Read More

Professor and chair honored for breakthrough research and influencing the next generation of nurses. Baltimore, Md. – Susan G. Dorsey, PhD ’01, MS ’98, RN, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), and co-director of the Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, has received the 2019 Welch/Woerner Path-Paver Award from the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR). Dorsey was honored at FNINR’s 2019 NightinGala in Washington, D.C., held Oct. 23, where she was presented with the award in recognition of her contributions to developing strategies for the use of multiomics (e.g., genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, metabolomic) methods to identify the biological mechanisms underlying symptoms and self-management of symptoms. This work has led to new discoveries regarding genomic factors of neuromuscular weakness in muscular dystrophy and in the transition from acute to chronic pain across numerous conditions. The translational potential of her work — the interface between bench research and clinical care — has led to nearly $27 million in National Institutes of Health research funding and numerous publications, honors, and awards. She has also worked to inspire researchers as they pursue their own multiomics research, innovation, and discovery. The Welch/Woerner Path-Paver award recognizes a mid-to-late career nurse scientist who has achieved one or more breakthroughs in theory development, research methods, instruments, or subject matter that has paved the way for other scientists and who has influenced and mentored the next generation of nurse researchers. “I am honored to receive this prestigious award, which is named in honor of Dr. Colleen Conway-Welch, the former dean of the Vanderbilt School of Nursing and Ms. Louise Woerner, a founding member of FNINR,” Dorsey said. “It has been my great privilege to work with nurse scientists and trainees from around the country to advance the use of multiomics methods to more fully understand the symptoms associated with chronic disease and disease treatment, to improve the quality of life for those who suffer.”  Dorsey’s research examines the molecular, cellular, and genetic factors associated with the development and persistence of chronic pain. More people suffer from chronic pain than from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. Although people who suffer from chronic pain cost the United States more than $600 billion annually, there are few effective treatments that can reduce or eliminate chronic pain without significantly disrupting quality of life. Dorsey’s research seeks to remedy this problem. “We congratulate Dr. Dorsey on her receipt of this very prestigious honor from FNINR,” said Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “Dr. Dorsey’s expertise and excellence in research encompasses the scientific skills and spirit of inquiry, which allow her to address difficult and significant problems as a nurse researcher in her own right, and she also possesses an exceptional ability to engage a wide range of interdisciplinary colleagues at both national and international levels to advance and accelerate high-impact science through multi-investigator grants and funded centers. Dr. Dorsey has worked tirelessly to assemble and lead teams to tackle clinical problems that have a high impact on quality of life and functional status. She is a gifted scientist able to translate science to the bedside and back to the bench, and we are thrilled that her work has been recognized by FNINR.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Assistant professor and director named IntNSA’s 2019 Education Award recipient. Baltimore, Md. – Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members brought the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA) 43rd Annual Education Conference to Baltimore at a time when the Baltimore metropolitan area’s rate of opioid-involved overdose deaths per 100,000 residents is nearly 70% of the entire state of Maryland’s rate, and the state’s rate of opioid-related overdose deaths is twice the national rate. Katherine Fornili, DNP ’16, MPH, RN, CARN, FIAAN, (left) assistant professor and president of IntNSA, and Charon Burda, DNP ’16, PMHCNS, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, (right) assistant professor and director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Family specialty and director at large of IntNSA, helped bring more than 230 nurses from more than 10 countries to the conference, Oct. 9-12. The event focused on the knowledge, skills, and abilities of nurses who care for people with substance use and addictive disorders and provided a platform for attendees to increase their skills and knowledge for collaborative practice with other health care colleagues to further patient-centered care for those with substance use disorders (SUDs). IntNSA recently achieved affiliate status with the International Council of Nurses. “Addiction seems to be a major issue here in Baltimore City, and bringing experts from all over the world together to help find solutions is really important to us, to the School of Nursing, and to the work that we do,” Burda said. In 2017, Maryland ranked among the top five states for opioid-related overdose deaths, with 1,985 deaths, or about 32 deaths for every 100,000 Maryland residents. That same year, more than 70,200 Americans died of drug overdoses, making overdose deaths a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. With 275 million people worldwide using drugs at least once a year, IntNSA’s mission is to advance excellence in nursing care for the prevention and treatment of addictions for diverse populations across all practice settings through advocacy, collaboration, education, research, and policy development. At the conference, Burda received IntNSA’s 2019 Education Award, which honors exemplary teacher who bring attention to addictions issues and stimulate knowledge development or research in addictions nursing through teaching. Burda was recognized for her continued work to educate students on the addiction process, to strive for excellence in interdisciplinary events, and to develop an addictions certificate for advanced practice nurses. In 2010, Burda and Fornili co-developed the course Addictions, Society, and the Role of the Nurse, which has become one of the most popular undergraduate electives offered at UMSON. Students who have taken the course describe gaining an increased awareness of how our society creates a culture of judgment that allows addiction to continue and have reported that working with patients with SUDs is less challenging once they have an increased understanding of the addictions process and are aware of resources and interventions. “People with substance use disorders recover better when the clinician and the patient can form a therapeutic alliance,” Fornili said. “What is really important is the ability of the nurse to instill the expectancy of hope in the patient. People do recover from substance use disorders, but they are more likely to do it when we can help them see that there is a way out of their predicament.” Burda and Fornili have partnered with Victoria L. Selby, PhD ’17, MS ’09, BSN ’06, CRNP-PMH, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, assistant professor, and Alison Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, RN, FAAN, professor, on a $140,000 Nurse Support Program (NSP) II grant-funded project Substance Use and Addictions Nursing Education Initiatives, which plans for the expansion of nursing education in substance use and addiction. Selby and Trinkoff conducted an assessment of students’ perceived learning needs regarding the care of patients with substance use and addiction; preliminary survey results were presented at the IntNSA conference. They will use the results to inform a SUD focus area for undergraduate nursing students, particularly registered nurses returning to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and the development of a graduate certificate program in addictions nursing, primarily for nurse practitioners. The NSP II is funded by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Presentations focus on Scope, Impact, and Consequences Baltimore, Md.–The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) 2019-20 Dean’s Lecture Series will feature five diverse presentations focused on “Violence: Scope, Impact, and Consequences.” The annual lecture series kicks off this fall with the Virginia Lee Franklin Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 16, and the Millicent Geare Edmunds Lecture on Thursday, Nov. 21. The series continues in spring 2020 with the Inaugural Dr. Barbara R. Heller Lecture in Health Policy, the Anne Ottney Cain Lecture on Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, and the Commander Lura Jane Emery Lecture. Although the scope and genesis of violence continues to be studied, violence is increasingly recognized as a significant public health issue. Research indicates that targets and perpetrators of violence, along with their communities, experience short- and long-term adverse health effects. These lectures approach this topic through varying lenses, including youth and community violence, workplace violence, violence in the context psychiatric mental health, violence related to military service, and the implications of violence for the healthcare delivery system and health policy. The Virginia Lee Franklin Lecture, “S.E.L.F. Community Conversations: A Resilience Framework for Youth and Young Adults in Communities Vulnerable to Violence,” will explore the intersection of trauma, violence, and community resilience. Speakers will discuss how youth voices, when integrated into leading conversations through a trauma-informed methodology, address the effects of toxic stress and complex trauma and will describe S.E.L.F. Community Conversations, a strength-based, trauma-informed, resilience approach that supports agency and emotional regulation in youth and young adults. Speakers: Stacey Jefferson, MBAAssociate Director, Policy and Community EngagementBehavioral Health Systems Baltimore Richard L. Norman, LCSW-CChief Executive OfficeThe Martin Pollak Project Michael M. Sinclair, PhD, MSSWAssociate Professor and Chair, Urban Children, Youth and Families SpecializationMorgan State University School of Social Work The Millicent Geare Edmunds Lecture, “Civility Matters! Best Practices to Foster Healthy Work Environments,” will examine the harm resulting from incivility in health care, which has been identified as the next frontier in patient safety efforts, especially since uncivil acts may lead to life-threatening mistakes, preventable complications, or injury to a patient. This engaging and thought-provoking session provides a deepened and empirical understanding of workplace incivility and its impact on individuals, teams, organizations, and patient care — emphasizing the need to cultivate and sustain healthy workplaces. Speaker: Cynthia Clark, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAANStrategic Nursing Advisor, ATI Nursing EducationProfessor Emeritus, Boise State UniversityAuthor, Creating and Sustaining Civility in Nursing Education “These two lectures speak to the insidious violence in our communities and in our workplaces,” said Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “At a time when we all recoil at the violence in our society, our speakers offer strategies for reducing its occurrence and impact. They hold out hope that through better understanding and tested techniques, we can each help make a difference. We look forward their insights and their recommendations for action.” Upcoming spring 2020 Lectures will include: The Inaugural Dr. Barbara R. Heller Lecture in Health Policy The Ann Ottney Cain Lecture in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing The Commander Lura Jane Emery Lecture # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Associate professor named ANPD president-elect and selected as an inaugural ELAN fellow by AACN. Baltimore, Md.–Susan L. Bindon, DNP ’11, RN-BC, CNE, CNEcl, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) associate professor and director, Doctor of Nursing Practice post-master’s option, has been named president-elect of the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD). She has also been selected as a member of the inaugural class of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing (ELAN) Fellows, a revamped successor to the Leadership for Academic Nursing Program.    Bindon was named president-elect of the ANPD in spring 2019 and will assume the role of president in May 2020. ANPD’s mission is to advance quality health care by defining and promoting nursing professional development practice. As the incoming president, Bindon looks forward to continuing to advocate for nurses in professional development and the important work they do to ensure health care team members are well prepared and practice safely. Bindon, a member of ANPD member for 12 years, served on the Board of Directors from 2012-14 and as the editor of the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development from 2014-18.  In the yearlong ELAN fellowship, designed for aspiring faculty leaders, Bindon will benefit from a focused assessment experience, a range of content and exercises related to successful executive leadership, and the opportunity to establish a peer network that fosters long-term partnerships and collegial support. The class of 38 fellows, selected from across the United Sates through a competitive process, includes those with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills needed to be leaders in academic nursing. Bindon attended the inaugural ELAN program, held July 28-Aug. 2 in Chaska, Minnesota, where she participated in intensive classes and exercises designed to build leadership skills and prepare for more senior roles in academic nursing administration. The fellowship, provides access to an online community, two four-hour e-learning workshops, and peer group discussions. Individualized coaching and mentoring are also available. “I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in this AACN program,” says Bindon. “I hope to share and apply what I am learning from ELAN here at the School of Nursing as we move into the future. I am also excited to engage with ANPD members and stakeholders in my new role role as the nursing professional development practice continues to evolve.” Along with her administrative role at UMSON, Bindon teaches in UMSON’s Institute for Educators and mentors faculty across various settings. She also maintains a faculty practice in nursing professional development at the University of Maryland Medical Center and manages a statewide Nurse Support Program II grant focused on developing clinical nursing faculty. Bindon presents regularly and has authored articles and book chapters on professional development, leadership, and online learning. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Mei Ching Lee, PhD, MS, RN, assistant professor, Lee sees her participation boosting her knowledge in the areas of teaching, research, and clinical application. “The program is providing me with the experience of IPE didactic teaching of students from several schools at UMB,” she says. “These teaching experiences broaden my knowledge of barriers and facilitators in learning interprofessional collaboration from students’ perspectives, and they enhance the development and implementation of effective IPE courses at the University. “The knowledge gained from teaching will inform better design of IPE studies and interventions that are practical and feasible,” Lee adds. “In addition, the Faculty Scholars Program will provide opportunities for networking and working with IPE experts on campus, facilitating team-building and collaboration in research. And by sharing IPE experiences and knowledge in clinical settings, staff and students will facilitate the implementation of interprofessional teamwork in the workplace.” Read More

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has named Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP, FNAP, FAAN, as the chair of the Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice (PPEP). Since 2015, she has served as the director of the Office of Global Health within PPEP; she served as the office’s deputy director from 2010 to 2015. As chair of PPEP, Ogbolu will serve as an administrative officer of one of UMSON’s five academic departments, leading departmental faculty members in UMSON’s tripartite mission of education, research and scholarship, and service. PPEP consists of 17 full-time and three part-time faculty members and 19 administrative staff members. The Department is diverse and consists of the Clinical Simulation Labs on the Baltimore Campus, the Governor’s Wellmobile Program, the Institute for Educators, the Office of Global Health, the Office of Professional Education, and the Standardized Patient Program, offered in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Ogbolu has held the rank of UMSON assistant professor since 2010, and since 2015, she has held a dual appointment as an assistant professor in the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Master of Public Health program. During her tenure as director, the Office of Global Health developed new global health education opportunities, including courses for graduate and undergraduate students; a global health certificate program; service-learning courses for students to travel abroad; and 42 of UMSON’s courses now include global health content. Ogbolu has been responsible for forging and maintaining international partnerships and leading and facilitating meetings with international visitors and scholars, international nursing universities, and leaders from global ministries of health. Ogbolu’s research and scholarship focus has been on health equity, social justice, and improving the lives of vulnerable newborns and their families. She is currently the principal investigator (PI) on the research project “Family Social Inclusion: Global Learning from Brazil to Baltimore,” funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Her clinical and professional experience includes 23 years as a neonatal nurse practitioner. She also brings extensive experience in health policy and community engagement to her new position. She serves as the chair of the interprofessional Taskforce on the Social Determinants of Health in Baltimore, led by the University of Maryland, Baltimore and established by the Maryland General Assembly, and previously served as the subcommittee co-chair for the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Governor’s Taskforce on Cultural Competency and as a member of the Governor’s Epidemiology Taskforce on Infant Mortality.  “I am truly delighted that after a broad national search, Dr. Ogbolu has been selected as the chair of this important academic department,” said Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She has ably demonstrated her abilities as an educator, researcher, and administrative leader. In addition, her deep commitment to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations locally, nationally, and internationally is impressive, including service on numerous taskforces and committees here in Baltimore, developing international educational opportunities for our students, and improving the delivery of health care services in Africa and South America. We congratulate her on her appointment to this new role and look forward to her continuing contributions to the School of Nursing and those we serve.” Ogbolu holds a PhD from the University of Maryland School of Nursing, where she also earned her master’s and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees; she received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Baltimore City Community College. She has been recognized with numerous honors and awards, including as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, as a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice, and as a RWJF Scholar. She has also been recognized with the Harriet Tubman Legacy in Maternal Child Health Nursing Award from the Minority Nurses Association of Maryland and with the Governor’s Citation Award. Ogbolu succeeds Kathryn Lothschuetz Montgomery, PhD ’97, RN, NEA-BC, a retired rear admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service, associate professor and chair of PPEP, who retired Oct. 1, 2019. Montgomery joined UMSON in 1999 as senior specialist for clinical management and leadership; in 2000, she served as the acting chair of Education, Administration, Health Policy, and Informatics. After a brief period away from UMSON, she returned in 2003 and was named associate dean for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives. In 2013, she became the chair of the newly established PPEP. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) commemorated its 130th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 21, with a gala honoring its impact on nursing education and its continued leadership in Maryland and around the world. At the gala, the School inducted five new alumnae Visionary Pioneers, who are selected for their significant impact on, and contribution to, the field of nursing based on their leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship. The new Visionary Pioneers join the 25 alumni recognized on the occasion of UMSON’s 125th anniversary in 2014. Every five years, UMSON names an additional five Visionary Pioneers to this esteemed group, composed of alumni who have rendered distinctive service to nursing and health care through clinical practice, education, or scholarship and research. The newly inducted Visionary Pioneers include: Bertha L. Davis, PhD, MS ’77, RN, ANEF, FAANRetired Dean and Professor Emerita of Nursing, Hampton UniversityRetired Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Nurse Corps Kathleen Milholland Hunter, PhD ’89, MS ’81, BSN ’76, FAAN (Deceased)Former Professor, Chamberlain University College of Nursing Robin Newhouse, PhD ’00, MS ’99, BSN ’87, RN, NEA-BC, FAANDean and Distinguished Professor, Indiana University School of Nursing Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent-Adams, PhD, MS ’99, RN, FAAN, FNAPPrincipal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Margaret Chamberlain Wilmoth, PhD, MS ’79, MSS, BSN ’75, RN, FAANProfessor, University of North Carolina School of NursingRetired Major General, U.S. Army At the gala, UMSON welcomed more than 100 guests as they recognized a rich and storied heritage and looked ahead to new and emerging challenges facing the field of nursing. “It takes considerable fortitude and resiliency to reach 130 years, and the School of Nursing has an enviable record of accomplishments and ‘firsts’ over the course of these years,” said Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, in a welcome letter included in the gala program. “No institution — particularly one with a compelling history such as ours — can rest on legacy alone. Every day, our past inspires us to commit our individual and collective intellect and energy to addressing the many and varied needs of our patients, communities, nation, and world — much as those who preceded us harnessed their talents and abilities to shape the accomplishments that we so admire today.” Back row, left to right: Arthur J. Milholland, MD (brother of Kathleen Milholland Hunter, accepting on her families behalf); Mary Etta C. Mills, ScD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN; Margaret Chamberlain Wilmoth; Robin Newhouse; Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent-Adams. Front row: Bertha L. Davis. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners selected through Nurse Practitioner Residency Expansion Program. Baltimore, Md. – Shannon Hansen, DNP ’19, CRNP, AGNP-C, and Jade Kim, DNP ’19, CCRN, AGPCNP-BC, both graduates of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) specialty, have been selected to serve as AGPCNP residents at the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) during the 2019-20 academic year as part of a Nurse Practitioner (NP) Residency Expansion Program. As the program is being offered for the first time ever during this academic year, Hansen and Kim will serve as pioneers, selected from among 13 applicants to fill both of the available residency positions. The AGPCNP specialty is ranked No. 11 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The program aims to provide comprehensive education in primary geriatrics to increase novice NPs’ clinical skills and improve health-related outcomes for older veterans. The highly competitive program offers NPs the opportunity to strengthen clinical, diagnostic, leadership, and scholarship skills as a primary care provider within an interprofessional team. The VAMHCS partnered with UMSON in developing the residency program and will also work with VAMHCS staff on its implementation. As residents, Hansen and Kim will benefit from additional on-the-job education that fosters a successful transition into clinical practice, and they will work as members of an interdisciplinary team to provide patient-centered health care to veterans. Throughout the one-year program, NPs and physicians will mentor Hansen and Kim to facilitate development of their communication, reasoning, and diagnostic skills. The program also aims to expand their ability to perform quality improvement projects independently in real-world settings. “The University of Maryland School of Nursing and the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System have had a wonderful relationship for many years, and we were pleased to again collaborate with them on this initiative,” said Shannon K. Idzik, DNP, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for the DNP program, UMSON. “Dr. Hansen and Dr. Kim are excellent representatives of the high quality of the UMSON DNP program. This residency will help them fulfill the nation’s need for expert clinicians in geriatrics, adult primary care, and veterans’ health.” The VAMHCS is a dynamic and progressive health care organization that is dedicated to providing quality, compassionate, and accessible care and service to Maryland’s veterans. As a leader in education, the VAMHCS prides itself on an active affiliation with local colleges and universities. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Funding from alumna Mary Catherine Bunting will support UMSON’s work in Baltimore Early Head Start and Head Start centers. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has received a $500,000 gift from Mary Catherine Bunting, MS ’72, CRNP, RN. The donation will continue the work of UMSON’s Community and Public Health Environmental Initiative (CPHEI) to provide health oversight for children and families served by Baltimore City Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) centers. Established in early 2016 with a $750,000 gift from Bunting, CPHEI is a collaborative effort with the Maryland Family Network to improve overall health and environmental health for EHS and HS center children from birth until age five through programs that support their mental, social, and emotional development. CPHEI delivers health services to seven of eight EHS centers and seven of 47 HS centers; to date these efforts have benefited 2,675 children and their families. Students and faculty from UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and RN-to-BSN programs, entry-into-nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s option, Community/Public Health Nursing master’s specialty, and Doctor of Nursing Practice specialties participate in CPHEI as part of the School’s ongoing service learning commitment. The latest funding will support CPHEI’s continued efforts, which include UMSON students and faculty reviewing more than 1,000 child health records and identifying children with chronic health conditions and those behind on preventative care required under Maryland’s Medicaid program. They have also provided direct care services — including health screenings, hearing and vision screenings, and blood pressure and body mass index checks — and home visits for children with chronic conditions such as asthma and for pregnant women and new mothers. They have offered 113 educational classes to parents, more than 60 classes to EHS and HS staff, and 24 prenatal classes for members of the community. In addition, they have taught parents and staff how to access children’s patient portals to obtain health records. Funding will also support CPHEI’s efforts to continue enabling EHS and HS centers to become Eco-Healthy Child Care® certified. Since 2016, with the help of CPHEI, all eight EHS and 18 HS centers have become Eco-Healthy Child Care® certified by eliminating environmental health hazards in or around the facilities and pursuing free or low-cost environmentally healthy best practices. “CPHEI has brought much needed nursing services and environmental health oversight to a highly vulnerable population,” said Laura Allen, MA, MS, RN, CPHEI program director. “If we weren’t there, there wouldn’t be as strong an emphasis on health, well-being, and how they relate to education. These families would be missing out on health screenings, health education, and general health literacy.” Over the next five years, CPHEI looks forward to helping all 47 of Baltimore’s HS centers become Eco-Healthy Child Care® certified and to continuing its work of providing nursing services in EHS and HS centers. The initiative plans to engage in more special projects, such as -the community garden at Waverly EHS, and to advocate for children’s health at the legislative level. CPHEI will also continue to disseminate its work to other professionals at state and national conferences and to form partnerships with organizations that support children’s environmental health. “We are thrilled to receive this additional contribution from Ms. Bunting for our Community and Public Health Environmental Initiative,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “As we seek to build a culture of health that can benefit all Marylanders, it is essential that we seize the opportunity to protect the very youngest children from the environmental hazards that can have a devastating impact on their lives. The health services and preventative care delivered under this program improves the futures of these children and their families and is work that could not be done without this support.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Four faculty members receive funding to increase nursing capacity in Maryland. Baltimore, Md. – Four University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been awarded Nurse Support Program (NSP) II grants totaling more than $2.4 million. NSP II grants aid in increasing nursing capacity in Maryland by implementing statewide initiatives to grow the number of nurses prepared to serve effectively in faculty roles, thereby increasing the number of students who can be enrolled in Maryland nursing schools and subsequently increasing the number of qualified nurses across the state. Grants are funded through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. “We are thrilled that UMSON has received NSP II grant support for four significant projects, each of which will help address Maryland’s need for a well-educated and well-prepared nursing workforce,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This diverse array of projects will: ensure the highest level of proficiency among academic clinical nurse educators throughout Maryland; develop a streamlined path for previously certified adult nurse practitioners and gerontology nurse practitioners to be recertified under the successor specialty designation; enhance nurse education in substance use disorders and create a certificate program in addictions nursing; and support the ongoing work of the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center to ensure appropriate data for decision-making. “We are grateful to the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission for its generous support of nursing research and to the Maryland Higher Education Commission for its leadership of NSP II initiatives. Together, we are ensuring that Maryland’s residents have access to excellent health care now and in the future,” Kirschling continued. The NSP II grants awarded to UMSON faculty beginning in Fiscal Year 2020 include: Susan L. Bindon, DNP, RN-BC, CNE, CNEcl, associate professor and director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Post-Master’s option – Building Clinical Nursing Faculty Competency in Maryland ($264,677 over two years): Bindon will work to increase the number of well-prepared clinical nursing instructors by supporting new faculty teaching in Maryland’s pre-licensure programs. Funding extends UMSON’s current success in preparing clinical educators and will provide six faculty workshops and national certification exam support. Expected outcomes include the preparation of up to 240 clinical instructors with certification exam support for participants interested and eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing certification exam for clinical faculty. Participants will potentially teach 1,920 students per semester and will enhance the learning experience in the high-stakes clinical environment for nursing students.   Margaret Hammersla, PhD, CRNP-A, assistant professor and senior director, Doctor of Nursing Practice program – Streamlined Path to AGPCNP Certification ($121,972 over three years): More than 10 years ago, the APRN Consensus Model combined the adult nurse practitioner (ANP) and gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP) designations to create the adult-gerontological primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) designation, but an unintended outcome was that all nationally certified ANPs and GNPs hold a certificate that is no longer being offered. The ANP and GNP exams were retired, meaning that nurse practitioners who allow their certification to lapse have no opportunity to become recertified. This funding aims to increase the number AGPCNPs by creating a streamlined path for ANPs and GNPs to convert to the AGPCNP specialty; UMSON will offer an option for master’s-prepared ANPs and GNPs to complete a Doctor of Nursing Practice; ANPs and GNPs with a doctoral degree will be able to earn a post-doctoral certificate to gain the necessary additional knowledge required for AGPNCP certification. Victoria L. Selby, PhD, CRNP-PMH, PMHNP-BC, assistant professor – Substance Use and Addictions Nursing Education Initiatives ($137,408 over one year): Substance use disorders are now the leading cause of death in the United States, doubling the numbers of related deaths a decade ago, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This funding will support planning for the expansion of nurse education in substance use and addiction by creating a focus area for undergraduate nursing students, particularly registered nurses returning to complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and by developing a post-baccalaureate certificate in addictions nursing.  Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ’93, RN, associate professor and chair of UMSON at the Universities at Shady Grove – Maryland Nursing Workforce Center ($1,912,767 over five years): Funding will support the work of the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center (MNWC) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore as it continues to provide access to and assist with analysis of nursing workforce data. The MNWC was established in 2018 with NSP II funding to ensure the state is meeting the recommendation of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 2010 Future of Nursing report calling for improved workforce data collection. This data will be used to plan for future workforce needs and to measure the success of programs and initiatives. Clockwise from top left: Bindon, Hammersla, Wiseman, and Selby # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has named Kirsten Corazzini, PhD, FGSA, as professor with tenure and associate dean of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. UMSON’s PhD program, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, prepares students as researchers and scholars to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing health care, such as aging populations, pain and symptom science, and women’s health and birth outcomes. Corazzini will be responsible for ensuring that graduates of the PhD program are well prepared to engage in research and scholarship that enhance the field of nursing, influence health care, and spark new approaches to scientific questions. She will oversee the recruitment, retention, and advancement of doctoral students; develop and implement new initiatives to advance their research capacity; and facilitate interprofessional interactions and learning. Corazzini has an extensive background in nursing education and research. She joins UMSON from Duke University, where she was an associate professor with tenure in the School of Nursing, a member of the graduate faculty, and Senior Fellow in the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Corazzini to the University of Maryland School of Nursing,” said Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She brings a deep commitment to the teaching and mentoring of students at the PhD and post-doctoral levels and to excellence in research and scholarship as evidenced by her impressive record. We look forward to her leadership and innovative ideas as she builds upon the impressive work of Dr. Meg Johantgen and leverages our distinguished 40-year history as the 16th doctoral nursing program in the nation and a program that has continued to be highly ranked.” Corazzini is a renowned researcher with a focus on person-centered long-term care, both domestically and globally; the organizational context of residential long-term care of older adults; and the regulation of nursing care in long-term care internationally. She served as a Fulbright Schuman Scholar from 2015-16 and a senior research fellow with City University of London, Division of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, London, United Kingdom. She has authored more than 80 published research papers and more than 60 abstracts and has contributed to more than 30 research projects that have received more than $4 million in funding. She earned a PhD from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She was selected as a HERS Fellow in 2017 and has been a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America since 2012. Mary (Meg) Johantgen, PhD, RN, who served as the associate dean of the PhD program from 2014-19, is stepping away from her administrative duties and will return to her faculty role as associate professor in the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. While serving as associate dean, she obtained complete tuition funding for four PhD students through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program. She launched new initiatives to advance student learning in the PhD program, including a manuscript option dissertation, a required class in grant writing, and a “3-minute thesis” competition that taught students how to succinctly and persuasively explain their scientific research to others. She also secured a five-year Nurse Support Program II grant to launch a collaborative statewide effort to promote careers as nurse scientists to undergraduate and graduate nursing students throughout Maryland. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Faculty awarded funds for completing or renewing their Certified Nurse Educator credential. Baltimore, Md. – Five University of Maryland School of Nursing faculty members are among the inaugural 57 recipients of the Academic Nurse Educator Certification (ANEC) Award granted by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) through the Nurse Support Program (NSP) II. The faculty were each awarded the maximum amount of $5,000 for achieving or maintaining their National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential during the academic years spanning 2017-19. The faculty are: Hannah Buc, MSN, RN, CNE, clinical instructor, recognized for initial receipt of the CNE credential Kathleen M. Martin, DNP, RN, CNE, assistant professor, recognized for recertification of the CNE credential Gina C. Rowe, PhD, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, PHCNS-BC, CNE, assistant professor, recognized for recertification of the CNE credential Mary Pat Ulicny, MS, MHA, RN, CNE, CHSE, director of simulation at the Universities at Shady Grove, recognized for recertification of the CNE credential Janet Armstead Wulf, DNP, RN, CNL, CHPN, CNE, assistant professor, recognized for initial receipt of the CNE credential The CNE credential establishes nursing education as a specialty area of practice and creates a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. It communicates to students, peers, and the academic and health care communities that the highest standards of excellence are being met. By becoming credentialed as a CNE, faculty serve as leaders and role models. Developed by NSP II, which is funded by the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by MHEC, at the request and with the guidance of the Maryland Council of Deans and Directors of Nursing Programs, the new ANEC award program recognizes professionalism in support of ongoing faculty development requirements necessary to maintain the CNE credential. The awards are intended to assist Maryland nursing programs in recruiting and retaining nursing faculty to produce the additional nursing graduates required by Maryland’s hospitals and health systems. The award funds may be used to supplement the awardee’s salary; to pay for activities for professional development, including conference fees and travel and expenses for speaking engagements; to pay professional dues, CNE examination fees, and continuing education expenses; or to assist with graduate education expenses, such as loan repayment. (Left to right) Buc, Martin, Rowe, Ulicny, and Armstead Wulf. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

A survey of more than 800 hospital nurses in 2014 found that one of the things they wanted most was reduced documentation, Jane Englebright, PhD, RN, CENP, FAAN, HCA Healthcare senior vice president and chief nursing executive, indicated in her keynote address during the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) 29th annual Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics (SINI), July 16-19. More than 230 leaders in health care informatics from around the globe, including China and the United Kingdom, convened for educational programming and networking opportunities, and an additional 48 joined the conference via a live-stream webcast. In her keynote address, “Reducing Documentation Burden: Results from the Front Line,” Englebright shared the story of HCA’s journey to re-evaluate its documentation practices and develop a new evidence-based clinical documentation (EBCD) system. HCA Healthcare manages facilities, including 185 hospitals and 119 freestanding surgery centers in 21 states and in the United Kingdom. The company oversees 94,000 registered nurses and “the amount of time, effort, and energy that was being spent on the documentation system was just to the point where they were quite vocal about the need for something dramatically different,” Englebright said. HCA’s vision was to create a patient-centric record that guides and informs the provision of safe, effective, and efficient care by an interprofessional team that produces data to evaluate the care of individual patients and entire patient populations, Englebright said. “So we wanted it to both be effective for the patient we are taking care of right this minute, while also generating data for all the future patients yet to come.” Englebright said the new EBCD system aims to enhance communication and transition of care as information is shared among providers and caregivers; provide standardized descriptions of nursing-related patient issues; and provide standardized, comparable data to drive improvements and to analyze differences in nursing practices to determine what is most effective. “I had to bulldoze my way through a few things,” Englebright said. “And part of the way I did that was saying, ‘This is what our nurses need to give great care to patients. And it will save them time.’ That is totally how I sold it.” Among the new strategies deployed was to eliminate documentation not needed in the patient record, including an inventory of the patient’s belongings, the number of times nurses washed their hands, safety measures defined by policy, and routine explanations of care processes. Also, decisions about what needs to be documented would be based on two criteria: it is meaningful to patient care or it is necessary for regulatory or billing requirements. A pilot of the new EBCD approach resulted in 93% of nurses reporting increased time at bedside. EBCD “helps them have more time at the bedside and less time in front of a computer, to the point that there are sometimes no nurses in the (nurses) station, because they’re all with patients,” she said. “This is truly transforming the delivery of care.” Just prior to Englebright’s keynote, UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, welcomed attendees to SINI and reflected on this year’s theme, “Healthcare Informatics: A Catalyst for Value-Driven Care Transitions.” “I am struck by how timely it is and how much we truly need deeper conversations around the topical areas reflected in this year’s program,” she said. “At a time of such rapid evolution in our health care system, it is essential that we continue to explore the ways in which data can support and foster much needed care coordination, ensure the delivery of value-based services, and support and enhance the overall quality of care delivery.” UMSON became the first school in the world to offer a master’s specialty in nursing informatics in 1989, and the program has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for the past five years according to U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” UMSON was also the first school in the nation to offer a PhD program with a nursing informatics concentration, beginning in 1991. UMSON’s nursing informatics programs, including a post-baccalaureate certificate, prepare nurses to improve patient care and outcomes through the development, implementation, and evaluation of information technology. This expertise informs SINI content, and this year’s participants elected to attend one of three informatics-related content tracks: “Use of health care IT data and quality outcome measures to improve value-based care coordination and transition management,” “The use of innovative technologies to support the internal transition of care as well as the external interoperability of care management,” or “Confronting documentation burden while creating high-value, care-centered systems.” Attendees were also invited to participate in various luncheon roundtable discussions, which were facilitated by SINI Planning Committee members and focused on topics such as “Artificial Intelligence Trends in Health Care,” hosted by Ron Piscotty Jr., PhD, RN-BC, FAMIA, assistant professor, UMSON; “Future of Mobile Apps in Chronic Disease Management,” hosted by Ernest Opoku-Agyemang, MA, MS, RN, clinical instructor, UMSON; and “International Perspective on Nursing Informatics,” hosted by Paula Procter, RN, PGCE, MSc, SFHEA, FBCS, CITP, FIMIANI, professor of nursing informatics, , Sheffield Hallam University in Sheffield, England; and more. Participants also attended tours of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Health Sciences and Human Services Library’s Innovation Station, where they learned how virtual reality glasses aid in teaching critical thinking in simulated patient care environments and how 3-D printers can create models for nursing education. Patricia P. Sengstack, DNP, MS ’88, BSN ’82, RN-BC, FAAN, director, Nursing Informatics specialty, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, and nursing informatics executive, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, closed SINI with her endnote presentation, “Can We Stop the Perpetual Growth and Complexity of the EHR and Give Nurses Time Back with Their Patients?”  Sengstack shared an overview of the burden of clinical documentation in electronic health records (EHR); provided data on measuring EHR satisfaction; highlighted a variety of resources; and encouraged the review of policies, procedures, and documentation needed for accreditation agencies. She ended the conference by encouraging everyone to be a part of the solution, asking the audience to improve what they can control today at their own institutions. View photos and a video from SINI 2019.

International Society for Anthrozoology presents 2019 award for outstanding lifetime achievement. Baltimore, Md. – Erika Friedmann, PhD, associate dean for research, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been named the recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Anthrozoologist Award by the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ). Friedmann was honored at ISAZ’s 2019 Conference in Orlando, held July 1-4, where she presented “Human-Animal Interaction Research Related to Human Health: What We Know and Challenges for Future Research.” The Distinguished Anthrozoologist Award recognizes outstanding lifetime achievement in anthrozoology/human-animal interaction studies by an ISAZ member who is a senior scholar. The award is presented every other year in recognition of a corpus of published work (books, journal articles, and/or book chapters) that are judged to have made a particularly significant or scholarly contribution to the understanding of human-animal interactions and relationships. Friedmann’s PhD work gave rise to one of the preeminent publications in anthrozoology, “Animal Companions and One Year Survival After Discharge From a Coronary Care Unit,” published in 1980 in Public Health Reports, and provided the first scientific evidence that pet ownership could have a measurable and significant impact on human health. She has authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific papers, reviews, and book chapters, with many addressing the impact of companion animals on human health and well-being. She has also been highly successful in obtaining funding for human-animal interaction research, including a 2019 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant for the project “Evaluating the Efficacy of a Service Dog Training Program for Military Veterans with PTSD” with co-principal investigator Cheryl Krause-Parello, PhD, RN, president of ISAZ. “I am extremely honored to receive this award from my peers. It is particularly meaningful, having been a part of the maturing of a field that my colleagues and I developed from infancy 30 years ago,” Friedmann said. “I couldn’t have imagined that my dissertation research could supply the impetus for a scholarly field and influence public perceptions. It’s gratifying to know that the science behind our knowledge that owning a pet and interacting with animals are beneficial to people’s health, stemmed from my collaborators’ and my research. I am excited to continue to develop this understanding, particularly with the validation of the field that comes from NIH calls for research in human-animal interaction. There is so much more to learn.”  Friedmann, one ISAZ’s co-founders, was elected a fellow of the society in 2016. She served three terms as the organization’s president, has been a board member for 27 years and was just elected to another two-year term, and is the deputy editor of ISAZ’s journal, Anthrozoös. In 2017, Friedmann was named an honorary member of Sigma, the honor society of nursing, in recognition of her achievements contributing to the advancement of nursing and health care. At UMSON, Friedmann serves as professor and associate dean for research; she teaches research methods and statistics and has served on more than 50 doctoral dissertation committees since she joined the faculty 16 years ago. In addition to conducting her own research, she supports, facilitates, and mentors UMSON faculty to develop their own research and scholarship. “We congratulate Dr. Friedmann on this extraordinary honor recognizing her long-standing contributions to the field of anthrozoology,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Dr. Friedmann has had a distinguished career, having shown exceptional promise and impact while still a graduate student, and she has been in the unique position of being able to nurture and grow an entire field of study. As a researcher and scholar, as an educator, and as a mentor to the next generation of researchers, she continues to make her mark. We are enormously proud of our colleague, applaud her accomplishments, and look forward to what we know will be her continued contributions to research, education, and practice.”   (Above) Friedmann (left) is picuted with Cheryl Krause-Parello (right), PhD, RN, president of ISAZ.   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Fellows to lead changes to enhance health outcomes for Maryland residents. Baltimore, Md. – The Nurse Leadership Institute (NLI) at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (USMON) is pleased to announce the 2019-20 class of NLI Fellows, the institute’s fifth cohort. The group of 35 nurse educators and clinicians from throughout Maryland were selected through a competitive application process and will participate in a yearlong Leadership Development Program (LDP) designed to prepare nurse faculty and practitioners to assume leadership positions, facilitate collaborative partnerships between academia and practice, and improve health outcomes for Maryland’s residents. Admitted Fellows demonstrate leadership potential through their work and professional activities. During the LDP, Fellows develop and strengthen their leadership skills, style, and competencies. The program includes a robust evaluation process, a residential training program, didactic and simulated learning experiences, collaborative team activities, and interaction with expert faculty and trainers. Fellows also select a mentor who serves as a professional guide throughout the program. In addition, the program offers a free, one-year membership in the Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders and continuing education units for all LDP activities. “I continue to receive updates from previous Fellows who found this a transformational experience in both their professional and personal lives,” said Patricia D. Franklin, PhD, RN, director, Nurse Leadership Institute, and assistant professor and director, Office of Professional Education, UMSON. “I cannot wait for this new cohort to enjoy a similar experience. The 2019-20 Fellows represent multiple areas within Maryland’s health care systems. Leadership at all levels of a system is crucial for designing and implementing sustainable innovation; therefore, this group of emerging nurse leaders represent the promise of better health outcomes for Maryland’s residents.”       The NLI was established by a $2.5 million, five-year grant awarded in 2015, funded through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission through the Nurse Support Program II. Grant funding covers program expense, fees, and costs for Fellows selected to attend the year-long LDP. “The Nurse Leadership Institute is a testament to the importance of continually expanding nursing leadership throughout Maryland,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “NLI exemplifies the power of collaboration among nurse educators and nurse clinicians, as evidenced by the impressive array of educational and health care institutions that participate and the caliber of the individual Fellows. The ongoing accomplishments of past and present Fellows speaks to the importance of this innovative work. The health care system of Maryland, and the patients, families, and communities that we collectively serve, all benefit from the leadership skills and abilities that program graduates exhibit. We welcome the 2019-2020 Class of Fellows and look forward to their continued contributions to improving the health of Maryland’s residents.” To date, 92 Fellows have completed the LDP, with the 2019-20 Fellows beginning the program on Sept. 1. The 2019-20 Fellows represent 22 health care organizations and higher education institutions statewide; they are: Rachel Allen, MS, CRNP-A, nurse practitioner supervisor, St. Agnes Hospital Sarah Arnett, DNP, RN, CEN, NEA-BC, executive director acute care services, Peninsula Regional Medical Center Kelsey Brooks, MSN, RN-IV, CEN, staff nurse, University of Maryland Shore Regional Health Leigh Chapman, MS, RN, CIC, director surgical nursing, University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center Elizabeth Cipra, DNP, clinical nurse specialist, University of Maryland Medical Center Amanda Curry, MSN, RN, CEN, nurse manager – emergency, Anne Arundel Medical Center Eursula David-Sherman, MSN, RN, nurse residency coordinator, Adventist Healthcare-Shady Grove Medical Center Miriam Dobson, DNPc, RN, CPH, NHDP-BC, director community health services, Frederick County Health Department Rachael Farrell, EdD, assistant director of nursing, Howard Community College  Michael Hamburg, MSN, RN, CEN, director patient care services, Northwest Hospital  Linda Hamel, MSN, RN, assistant professor, College of Southern Maryland Heidi Holdren, MSN, RN-BC, nurse manager, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center  Maranda Jackson-Parkin, PhD, RN, CRNP, ACNP-BC, CCNS, CCRN-K, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing  Dawanya Lewis, MSN, RN, CCM, NEA-BC, nurse manager, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center Denise Lyons, MSN, RN, CEN, associate professor, Anne Arundel Community College Cheryll Mack, MPA, RN, senior clinical nurse II, University of Maryland Medical Center Carol Maddrey, MSN, RN, nurse manager, Johns Hopkins Hospital Kaitlyn Mannon, MSN, RN, NHDP-BC, CEN, CPEN, senior clinical educator, Anne Arundel Medical Center Brenda Martin, MSN, RN, CNML, manager nursing practice and innovation, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center Cynthia Mitzman, MSN, RN, clinical unit coordinator, St. Agnes Hospital Alexandra Mora, MS, RN, charge nurse, Mercy Health Clinic Toni Murray, DNPc, RN-BC, CENP, CMSRN, director nursing professional development, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital Deborah Naccarini, DNP, RN, CNE, associate dean, Notre Dame of Maryland University Anna Nji, PhD, RN, administrator, Gandhi Health Career Services Marlene Pasion, MSN, RN-BC, clinical nurse specialist, St. Agnes Hospital Jill Patton, MSN, CRNP, AACC, nurse practitioner supervisor, St. Agnes Hospital Kimberly Sadtler, MSN, PMH, APRN-BC, NE-BC, nurse manager, University of Maryland Medical Center Christie Simon-Waterman, DNP, RN, CRNP, nurse practitioner, Johns Hopkins Hospital Edna Travers, MS, RN, VA-BC, interim assistant director nursing/nurse manager, Johns Hopkins Hospital Chinyere Uduhiri, MSN, CRNP, DNPc, nurse practitioner, FutureCare Capital Region Jaime Van Allen, MS, RN-BC, clinical practice development coordinator, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center Lesley Weihs, MBA, MSN, RN, CENP, director professional practice and nursing Quality, Peninsula Regional Medical Center Autumn Wilkins, MSN, RN, CMSRN, nurse manager, St. Agnes Hospital Chuwana Woode, MHA, RN, administrative coordinator, University of Maryland Capital Region Health Michele Zimmer, DNP, RN, CCRN-CMC, assistant nurse manager, University of Maryland Medical Center # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Director of Clinical Simulation Labs to explore psychological safety in simulation education Baltimore, Md. – Amy Daniels, PhD ’18, MS ’12, BSN ’89, RN, assistant professor and director of the Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Labs at the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Baltimore campus, has been named an International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Research Fellow.  Daniels will participate in a web-based fellowship designed to develop future leaders in simulation research. The fellowship provides new researchers an avenue to advance their scholarly work under the mentorship of renowned researchers. Through the fellowship, Daniels will further her investigation into psychological safety, students’ perceptions that a particular environment is a place where mistakes can be made in the service of learning, and its impact on learning outcomes in simulation-based education. “I am extremely honored to be selected for this opportunity,” said Daniels. “I am excited to receive mentorship from established researchers whose focus is simulation in nursing education. The outcome of this experience, a fully developed research project that can be submitted as a proposal for simulation research funding, will align directly with my long-term goals to research psychological safety in simulation.” At UMSON, Daniels facilitates simulated educational experiences and oversees operations, curriculum integration, and faculty development in all of UMON’s clinical simulation programs in Baltimore. She has taught students using simulation since 2010. The Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Labs celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2018. In 2004, when UMSON opened its simulated operating room, the total number of sim labs was 24 — the most of any nursing school in the nation. Today, the School has 20 clinical simulation laboratories in Baltimore and eight at the Universities at Shady Grove, and approximately 10% of pre-licensure students’ clinical hours in any given course take place in labs. The facilities are increasingly important as UMSON responds to a rising national emphasis on simulated learning to improve nursing outcomes.  INACSL, representing more than 1,800 members from 29 countries, is committed to advancing the science of health care simulation. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Faculty contribute expertise to Maryland Health Care Commission and Montgomery County Commission on Health Baltimore, Md. – Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been named to Maryland health care commissions. Margaret Hammersla (left), PhD, CRNP-A, assistant professor and senior director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, has been appointed to the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC), while Crystal DeVance-Wilson (right), PhD, MBA, PHCNS-BC, assistant professor, has been appointed to the Montgomery County Commission on Health (COH). Hammersla will work with the MHCC to continue its efforts to modernize the state’s certificate of need program, intended to insure that new health care facilities and services are only developed as needed, supporting the state’s goals under Maryland’s all-payer model. She will also support the MHCC’s efforts to increase the use of data, including expanding the Wear the Cost initiative, which seeks to increase transparency and raise public awareness of health care costs. The MHCC is an independent state regulatory agency that plans for health system needs, promotes informed decision-making, increases accountability, and improves access to care in a rapidly changing health care environment. Appointed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Hammersla will serve a four-year term ending Sept. 30, 2022. DeVance-Wilson will serve on the Montgomery County COH, which advises the county executive and the county council on public health issues, programs, services, and the allocation of public health funding. The commission is also responsible for monitoring and assessing Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (MCDHHS) health priorities. As a commissioner, she will interface and collaborate with the MCDHHS and various county boards and commissions to identify gaps, deficiencies, or duplication of efforts. She was appointed by former Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and will serve a three-year term ending June 30, 2021. “We congratulate Drs. Hammersla and DeVance-Wilson on their appointments to these significant leadership positions within Maryland’s health care system,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Given their extensive clinical expertise, and their experience as doctorally prepared nurse educators and researchers, I am confident that each of them will bring important perspectives to the work of their respective commissions and through this contribute to improving health care for individuals, families, and communities throughout Maryland.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Maryland Action Coalition (MDAC), the state’s arm of the national Campaign for Action, serves as one of the driving forces for transforming health care in Maryland. Recognizing the important work already underway in the state and with a goal of improved health outcomes for its residents, MDAC leads innovation in the health of the population through efforts that build and sustain a culture of health.  Read More  

For UMSON students, it’s a chance to learn outside of a traditional classroom setting, said Niki Papageorgopoulos, MS. “I think it shows the kids that people from outside the community really care and that we are here to support each other,” she said. “And as nursing students, it gives us real-life experience with health disparities. It helps give us an understanding of patient-centered care in West Baltimore.” Read More 

Funding to aid research aimed at improving health care outcomes for the aging population. Baltimore, Md. – University of Maryland School of Nursing PhD students Hyojin Son (left) and Jungmin Yoon (right) have been awarded Sigma Small Grants, intended to encourage nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Son and Yoon each received about $5,000 in funding to support their proposed research projects. Son’s funding will aid her dissertation examining patient experience using a patient portal, a secure online environment in which patients can view health records and send messages to providers. Nearly 60% of American adults have one or more chronic conditions, emphasizing the need for health information technologies to support patients’ self-management. Her research will also compare the difference in perceived usability, self-efficacy, and use of the patient portal between older adult patients recruited from ambulatory care clinics and older adults recruited from communities. Yoon’s dissertation hopes to demonstrate the value of adequate staffing levels and proper training for quality dementia care, necessitated by increasing health care demands from nursing home residents with dementia. In 2014, more than 50% of the 1.4 million nursing home residents nationwide were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Yoon’s work will examine nursing home deficiencies with regard to inappropriate antipsychotic medication use in relation to staffing levels and nursing home in-service dementia care training. “We are so proud that two of our PhD students received these Sigma grants, as they are open to all registered nurses with a graduate degree, including faculty from all around the world,” said Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN, assistant professor, associate dean for the UMSON PhD program. “Such financial support helps students purchase software, data, and supplies that are essential for their research.” Allocation of Sigma Small Grant funds, provided by the Sigma Foundation for Nursing, is based on the quality of the proposed research, the future promise of the applicant, and the applicant’s research budget. In 1936, Sigma became the first U.S. organization to fund nursing research, and from its inception, it has recognized the value of scholarship and excellence in nursing practice. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Close to 500 degrees conferred at the 2019 Convocation ceremony. Baltimore, Md. - Very few professions afford the privilege of having as significant an impact on the lives of individuals, families, and communities as nursing does. That was the message UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, greeted the Class of 2019 with during the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Convocation ceremony May 16 at Royal Farms Arena. At the ceremony 445 degrees were awarded, including 205 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 123 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), 105 Master of Science (MS), six Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and six certificates. Kirschling welcomed graduates receiving their first degree in nursing to a profession filled with unparalleled possibilities with many diverse paths and opportunities for professional advancement. She thanked the registered nurses who had returned to school to complete their baccalaureate degree for their continued commitment to education. “To the master’s and doctoral graduates, your expanded knowledge and skills extend your professional toolkit – and I know you will continue to truly make a difference in the work you do,” she said. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students was presented to Baltimore student Julie Ann Factor, BSN ’19, and Universities at Shady Grove student Jacob Aaron Rodriguez, BSN ’19, for their outstanding compassion and care for patients and their families. The award, given in memory of Patrick Barnes, is supported through the DAISY (Disease Attacking the Immune System) Foundation, whose executive director is Cynthia Sweeney, MSN, BSN ’76, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC. Factor was recognized for her work providing patient/family-centered care with a calm demeanor, and Rodriguez was honored for his advocacy of patient needs and acute awareness of health and social disparities. The 2019 Dean’s Medal for Distinguished Service, which each year recognizes someone, external to the School, who has demonstrated “an exceptional commitment to advancing UMSON and its mission,” was presented to John Bing, CRNA. Bing has represented nurse anesthesia at the state, national, and international levels, with a special focus on nurses of color. He was instrumental in the establishment of the School’s Nurse Anesthesia program, now a Doctor of Nursing Practice specialty that is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and he formerly served as a chair on the UMSON Board of Visitors. “He personally solicited support from the Maryland Legislature and secured grant funding to finance the start of the program,” Kirschling said. Bing has served as president of the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship program, and has mentored prospective students, leading to admissions in 52 of the 121 Nurse Anesthesia programs nationwide. He also includes nurse anesthesia students on humanitarian missions to Central America, where he has provided medical care to more than 1,000 families whose children were born with a cleft lip/palate. “To the students of 2019, I’m out in the field doing anesthesia and nursing, there has not been a better time to be a nurse in the history of nursing,” Bing conveyed to the graduating class. “You are the bridge between sickness and health and we are depending upon each and every one of you not only to be great nurses, but to make sure you give back to the community.“  Student speaker Ann Madden, DNP ’19, a graduate of the Nurse Anesthesia program, asked the graduating class to define their experience in just two words.  “For me, those two words are vigilance and gratitude,” Madden said. “The education we have all received from the University of Maryland has given us a foundation to be some of the best health care providers in the country. Your hard work and dedication has gotten you this far; let vigilance and gratitude carry you through the rest of your career.”     Kirschling concluded the ceremony by reminding graduates, “We find ourselves confronted with great challenges in the health care arena. Each of you will be obliged to confront these challenges in some fashion during your careers, and I can only urge you to meet them with the same commitment to patient care and to making a difference in the lives of families and communities that inspires your passion for nursing itself.”   

Reflecting on the many ways the school is meeting nursing needs in the state, nationally, and even globally, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, delivered her 2019 State of the School address on April 11, in Baltimore, with a repeat performance at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) on April 23. Read More 

Egan, a bedside nurse for seven years who is pursuing her doctorate in nursing practice, said she applied for the fellowship as a way of trying to address the impacts of violence she sees as a working nurse in the city. “I find gun violence particularly upsetting because it brings about a lot of human suffering that I feel should be avoidable,” she said. “I joined this project to try to put steps in place to make sure that we are actively addressing gun violence and the suffering that comes along with it.” Read More      

Piscotty inducted into inaugural class of Fellows for his achievements in applied informatics.  Baltimore, Md. – Ronald J. Piscotty Jr., PhD, RN-BC, FAMIA, assistant professor, University of Maryland School or Nursing (UMSON), has been selected as a member of the inaugural class of Fellows of American Medical Informatics Association (FAMIA) in recognition of his accomplishments in the application of informatics. Piscotty joins the class of 130 fellows, who will be inducted at the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) 2019 Clinical Informatics Conference in Atlanta, April 30-May 2, 2019. The field of informatics began as a science dedicated to evaluating the use of information and communications systems in clinical settings and has grown to include an array of professions that leverage information technology and data systems. Informaticians facilitate discovery and translate research findings; deliver insights that improve patient outcomes; enable better management and prevention of disease; reduce clinician and researcher burdens; and increase value associated with research and health care delivery. “The implementation of complex health care information technology into our nation’s health care system continues at an unprecedented pace,” said Piscotty. “While this is a sign of progress in providing health care to our nation’s citizens, it also brings enormous risks that must be managed by a highly educated workforce practicing with evidence-based solutions. As a clinical informatics leader, educator, and researcher, I am honored to be an inaugural fellow of our nation’s premier health care informatics association.”  FAMIA recognizes the contributions and professional accomplishments of AMIA members who apply informatics skills and knowledge to their practice in a clinical setting, in a public or population health capacity, or as a clinical researcher. Piscotty, whose expertise is in clinical informatics, teaches UMSON master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice students. His research is focused on how health information technology impacts clinical practice, specifically how health care information technology can be leveraged to reduce health care errors such as errors of omission. His research has been funded by several organizations and has been disseminated via numerous peer-reviewed presentations and journal articles. He is involved in several nursing and health care informatics organizations, including AMIA, the Alliance for Nursing Informatics, Sigma, and the Midwest Nursing Research Society. Piscotty currently serves as a steering committee member for the Alliance for Nursing Informatics. “We congratulate Dr. Piscotty on his selection as a member of the inaugural class of Fellows of the American Medical Informatics Association,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This recognition is indeed a tremendous honor. Dr. Piscotty’s work on designing health care information systems that enhance provider practice and reduce errors is important to the ongoing improvement of patient care and health system outcomes. His study of errors of omission and the potential role of appropriately designed care reminders holds real promise for addressing preventable adverse events and thereby reducing the human costs and the enormous expense of such errors.” AMIA is the leading professional association for informatics professionals. As the voice of the nation’s top biomedical and health informatics professionals, AMIA and its members play a leading role in assessing the effect of health innovations on health policy and in advancing the field of informatics. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Associate professor joins institution aimed at addressing fundamental ethical and social issues Baltimore, Md. – Anita J. Tarzian, PhD ’98, MS ’95, RN, associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been named a Hastings Center Fellow. The Hastings Center is a nonpartisan bioethics research institution founded in 1969, the oldest of its kind.  Tarzian joins a worldwide network of nearly 300 elected Fellows whose work has informed scholarship and public understanding of complex ethical issues in health, health care, life sciences research, and the environment. Hastings Center Fellows are academic bioethicists, scholars from other disciplines, scientists, journalists, lawyers, novelists, artists, and people highly accomplished in other spheres. Their common distinguishing feature is uncommon insight and impact in areas of critical concern to the Center — how best to understand and manage the inevitable values questions, moral uncertainties, and societal effects that arise as a consequence of advances in the life sciences, the need to improve health and health care for people of all ages, and the mitigation of human impact on the natural world. “In these times when the best we can be is threatened by increasingly contentious public discourse, it’s an honor to be associated with an institution that seeks to safeguard ethics as a cornerstone of global progress,” said Tarzian.  In addition to her role at UMSON, Tarzian serves as the program coordinator for the Maryland Healthcare Ethics Committee Network at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and she serves as a lay member of the Maryland Judicial Ethics Committee. She has worked as a research and ethics consultant since 1998, providing guidance and consulting services in clinical ethics, research ethics, and research methods. Her scholarship, teaching, and mentorship center on clinical ethics, including standards for health care ethics consultation, palliative care, end-of-life care, disability rights, and evidence-based practice in these areas. “We congratulate Dr. Tarzian on this distinctive honor,” said Dean of the School of Nursing, Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “Dr. Tarzian’s many contributions to clinical ethics, including standards for health care ethics consultations, have far-reaching. In addition, her service to the Maryland Healthcare Ethics Committee Network and to the Maryland Judicial Ethics Committee have added an important and leading voice to the discussion of a broad array of ethical topics. In her role as a Hastings Center Fellow, I am certain she will continue to bring her substantial scholarship to bear on important issues facing our health care system.” Hasting Center Fellows are elected by The Fellows Council, which consists of eight Fellows, and the center’s president. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Center for IPE director Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of UMSON, led a debriefing in which students were asked to comment on how they had been able “to learn with, from, and about one another.” She also helped field a question about acronyms, or “mumbo-jumbo,” which a good team member is urged to avoid. “ADLs are activities of daily living,” said Kirschling, giving examples such as showering in the morning and fixing lunch. And a CNL, she explained later, is a student with a university degree in a non-nursing field who is earning a Master of Science in Nursing in UMSON’s Clinical Nurse Leader program. Read more

Training service dogs for fellow veterans may be rehabilitative for those with PTSD. Baltimore, Md. – Erika Friedmann, PhD, associate dean for research, University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been awarded nearly half a million dollars by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the research project Evaluating the Efficacy of a Service Dog Training Program for Military Veterans with PTSD. The Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant that Friedmann was awarded with co-principal investigator Cheryl Krause-Parello, PhD, will provide $438,787 in funding over two years.  Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 20% of the United States’ 18.5 million U.S. veterans and places them at higher risk for impaired biopsychosocial functioning and comorbidities including major depression, mania, panic attacks, social phobia, and alcohol/drug dependence. In addition, suicide rates are surging among this population, with approximately 7,300 veterans taking their lives each year, more than those who die in combat. Alarming veteran PTSD rates and the disorder’s effects create a critical demand for empirically validated treatment programs. Through a randomized clinical trial, Friedmann and Krause-Parello will examine how training service dogs may be rehabilitative for veterans with PTSD. The research will explore how veterans with PTSD who train service dogs for fellow veterans show a reduction in PTSD symptom severity (PTSDSS) and decreases in stress-related biological and psychosocial outcomes. “It’s so important to develop strategies to help veterans with PTSD integrate into civilian life,” said Friedmann. “We’re really excited to have the opportunity to research whether training service dogs really helps the veterans who are training the dogs.” If the service dog training program is successful in reducing PTSDSS in veterans with PTSD, it may prove to be a cost-effective rehabilitative opportunity for other at-risk populations. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Students can apply and begin earning credits towards their BSN at UMSON while earning ADN. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) campuses in both Essex and Catonsville, Maryland, have launched an agreement of dual admission that will enable a smooth transition from CCBC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. As part of UMSON’s continued effort to increase the number of collaborative pathways to earning a BSN in Maryland, CCBC becomes the 13th community college in the state where students can apply to, be admitted to, and begin taking classes in UMSON’s BSN program while still working toward their ADN, saving them time in completing both degrees. CCBC students will also receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at the community college. In addition, UMSON is currently covering the cost of its BSN courses for students participating in the dual-admission partnership while they are still enrolled in the ADN program, an opportunity made possible with funds from a gift from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation.  CCBC is one of the largest community college in Maryland, serving a wide geographic area, and has an established ADN program on both the Essex and Catonsville campuses. The dual-admission agreement with UMSON provides CCBC ADN students the opportunity to begin their BSN coursework without having to take courses toward both degrees concurrently from their first day in college, allowing them to ease into their nursing coursework. Aimed at increasing qualified nursing candidates, the agreement is helping further the mission of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to transform health care through nursing. The campaign, based on the goals set forth by the Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report, aims to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020.  “As UMSON continues to expand the available opportunities for nursing academic progression, we are proud to launch an agreement with CCBC. This partnership allows for additional ways ADN students in Maryland can prepare for and complete their BSN,” said Linda Murray, DNP ’16, MS ’84, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director, RN-to-BSN program, UMSON.  To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from CCBC and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.    

University of Maryland School of Nursing student Chika Okusogu, a UM Scholar, shared with expo visitors his excitement of working with Associate Professor Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, MS, in what’s become known as the “Colloca Lab,” as she explores the role of the placebo in pain management. “While we may have this perception that it (opioid addiction) is an issue of morale or character, it really is an issue of we don't understand how pain works as well as we should,” Okusogu said. “Pain is a universal experience that is incredibly subjective. For some reason, even though each and every one of us in this room will feel pain at some point in our lives, we tolerate it differently. I feel like the work I’ve done in the Colloca Lab, whether it is through using virtual reality to help modulate pain or using placebo effect to also treat pain, that is also not only cost-effective, but also doesn't have major side effects or potential toxicities, are all attempts to help make a universal common issue more approachable and manageable for each and every one of us in this room.” READ MORE  

UMSON Nursing Informatics specialty remains No.1 in the nation for fifth straight year. Baltimore, Md. — In the newly released 2020 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has climbed in the rankings for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and master’s programs. The School’s master’s-level Nursing Informatics program remains No. 1 in the nation for the fifth year in a row.   For the rankings, U.S. News & World Report surveyed 584 accredited nursing schools with master’s or doctoral programs. UMSON’s overall DNP program ranked No. 6, and its top-ranked DNP specialties include Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (No. 7), Nurse Anesthesia (No. 10), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (No. 11), and Family Nurse Practitioner (No. 11). The Nurse Anesthesia specialty rankings were released in the 2017 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools” and will remain in effect until 2021. Two of UMSON’s master’s programs— the Clinical Nurse Leader option (No. 2) and Nursing Administration (No. 5), which represents UMSON’s Health Services Leadership and Management specialty — joined Nursing Informatics in the top five. At the forefront of responding to the need to increase the number of nurses with a doctoral degree, UMSON’s DNP program launched in 2006 with fewer than 10 students and was one of only 20 such programs in the nation at the time. Today, there are more than 330 DNP programs nationwide, and UMSON enrolls 570 DNP students. “It is gratifying to continue to be recognized in the top ranks nationally for our master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This is truly a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni to excellence in nursing education, research, and practice. We are committed to continuing to increase the number of nurses with advanced degrees and ensure that they are well prepared to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse communities and address the challenges of our complex health care system.” Rankings are based on a variety of indicators, including student selectivity and program size, faculty resources, and research activity, and on survey data from deans of schools of nursing that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.    

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has welcomed eight new faculty members as of the spring 2019 semester. The additional hires bring UMSON’s total number of faculty members to 148 and total number of clinical instructors to 24. UMSON offers a top-ranked educational experience, developing nursing professionals who are in high demand by health systems, universities, government agencies, and other organizations. New to UMSON are: Oluchi Ayichi, DNP ’17, MS ’11, BSN ’01, RN, CRNP, assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health Jacqueline Bateman, DNP, BSN ’89, RN, CHPN, assistant professor, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health Rachel Breman, PhD ’18, MPH, RN, assistant professor, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health Judith Coombs-Haylett, MSN, RN, clinical instructor, Department of Family and Community Health Charlotte Nwogwugwu, DrPH, BSN, CPH-BC, assistant professor, Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice Rachel Reid, DNP, RN, assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health Amanda Roesch, DNP, MPH, FNP-C, assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health Tarleen K. Weston, BSN, RN, clinical instructor, Department of Family and Community Health UMSON proudly extends a warm welcome to these faculty. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Grant assists with educational and professional expenses. Baltimore, Md. – Three faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) have been awarded a Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant (NEDG) for Practice and Dissertation Research. Clinical instructors Hannah Murphy Buc, MSN, RN, CNE; Anjana Solaiman, MS, RNC, IBCLC; and Nicole Smith, MS ’14, RN, CNE, CHSE, all received the maximum award amount of $30,000. Two of the three, Solaiman and Smith, teach in UMSON’s program at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland. This competitive grant program is designed to assist PhD and Doctor of Nursing Practice candidates by helping to cover costs associated with graduate education expenses; professional development; course release time; research-related administrative support; and project-related expenses for supplies, travel, and document creation. Its goals are to increase the number of doctorally prepared nursing faculty in Maryland, to strengthen faculty development for optimal capacity at schools of nursing, and to recruit and retain a diverse nursing faculty.  “We are extremely grateful for this important support to faculty pursuing doctoral degrees,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The NEDG Program addresses the critical need to increase the number of faculty with advanced degrees and ensure a highly educated and well-prepared nursing workforce ready to meet the diverse needs of our communities. We congratulate this year’s three recipients and look forward to their continuing contributions to teaching and research at UMSON.” NEDG is part of the Nurse Support Program II, a statewide initiative funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. It helps increase Maryland’s nursing capacity by supporting initiatives that advance the recommendations outlined in the Institute of Medicine’s report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. (Left to right) Hannah Murphy Buc, MSN, RN, CNE; Anjana Solaiman, MS, RNC, IBCLC; and Nicole Smith, MS ’14, RN, CNE, CHSE # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

RN from UMMC’s Midtown Campus begins RN-to-BSN program on full scholarship. Baltimore, Md. – Corey Duggan, RN, Clinical Nurse II, Emergency Department, University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Midtown Campus, this semester becomes the first student to enroll in the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) through its new Hospital Partnership Program, which awards participants a full Conway Scholarship. Funds for the Conway Scholarship Hospital Partnership Program, which aims to facilitate baccalaureate-level education for registered nurses at the UMMC Midtown Campus and at the University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center, come from a transformational $10 million gift from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation. The Conway Scholarship covers in-state tuition, fees, books, and the cost of community college prerequisites required for admission to UMSON’s RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The gift will fund Conway Scholarships for 42 registered nurses to earn their BSN degrees through the Hospital Partnership Program.   “I am truly honored to have been selected for the Conway Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship is such a blessing,” Duggan said. “This means I will be able to continue my education and continue to make a change for myself, my hospital, and my community. I am so thankful for the opportunities that the University of Maryland School of Nursing has given me.”  “We are excited to welcome Corey Duggan as the first Conway Scholar under this significant new Hospital Partnership Program,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “As a clinical nurse at UMMC Midtown, Mr. Duggan exemplifies the level of dedication and commitment to excellent patient care that this program seeks to support and foster. We are grateful to the Conways for the visionary philanthropy which will allow him to further advance his career and continue to serve the needs of our community.” The Conway Scholarship Hospital Partnership Program is helping to fulfill one of the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine’s landmark 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, which aims to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. The Conways have pledged more than $15 million to UMSON since 2015. Their most recent gift is one of the largest outright scholarship gifts to any school of nursing in the country. In addition to funding the Hospital Partnership Program, the Conways’ latest gift will fund 341 scholarships, bringing the total number of students benefiting from Conway Scholarships to more than 470. The Conways decided several years ago that their philanthropy should help people who have demonstrated financial need to receive the education necessary to obtain jobs. Bill Conway is co-founder and co-executive chairman of the Carlyle Group, in Washington, D.C. The Conways are trustees of the couple’s Bedford Falls Foundation, which has bestowed significant nursing scholarships in the Mid-Atlantic region. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Study seeks to apply global idea to address social determinants of health in local community. Baltimore, Md. – Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS '05, BSN '04, CRNP-Neonatal, FAAN, assistant professor and director of the Office of Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a three-year, $683,000 Global Ideas for U.S. Solutions grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to study disadvantaged communities in West Baltimore to understand the impact of social isolation on health. Ogbolu’s study is one of six funded through RWJF’s fall 2017 call for ideas from around the world to address social isolation and promote positive, healthy social connections and well-being. Social isolation is a growing, global epidemic affecting individuals in all phases of life and resulting in dire physical, behavioral, psychological, mental and emotional consequences. “As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, global learning models offer opportunities to address America’s deepest challenges, including social isolation.  Adaptations of programs from abroad must be guided by community input to make sure they are culturally appropriate,” Ogbolu said. “We are grateful to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as this grant will allow us to learn about social isolation from the community, understand how the physical and social infrastructure in West Baltimore positively or negatively impacts residents’ ability to have meaningful social networks, and examine the impact of a social inclusion program on families of young children.” Seeking to identify global programs that could be adapted locally, Ogbolu learned about Saude Criança (SC), a program aimed at addressing the social determinants of health and promoting social inclusion. In 2017, Ogbolu and UMSON Global Health Certificate students spent nearly two weeks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, visiting the Saude Criança Association, exploring the possibility of designing a cultural adaptation study for Baltimore. Ogbolu seeks to implement SC in Baltimore’s most challenged communities, working with families who have poor social networks and may be cut off from opportunities that could positively impact their health and well-being. The program aims to connect them with resources and with each other. The study in West Baltimore builds on the work in Brazil and brings together several community and interprofessional partners, including the Black Mental Health Alliance; the University of Maryland School of Social Work’s Promise Heights and B’More for Healthy Babies programs; the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s PATIENTS Program; a social network expert from Johns Hopkins University; and the Saude Criança Association in Brazil. Ogbolu will focus the first phase of her study on community learning through group discussions and interviews to better understand West Baltimore residents’ perspectives on individual, community, and family social connectedness or isolation. In Phase 2, Ogbolu will implement a culturally adapted SC program based on lessons learned from community members. She plans to recruit families with children ages 0-3 years old; the families will develop a family action plan addressing SC’s five categories (health, housing, income generation, education, and global citizenship), and Ogbolu will monitor the families over 24 months to empower them and support their efforts to address the social determinants of health, reduce stress, and build social networks. RWJF specifically sought grant proposals for studies that include pilot or demonstration trials in the United States of interventions developed internationally to address social isolation, learning exchanges between U.S.-based and global investigators and/or communities to explore approaches to social isolation that may be implemented in the future, and evaluation of promising approaches to social isolation developed abroad to learn how it might be adapted and implemented in the United States. “We are extremely grateful to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for its support of Dr. Ogbolu’s project in West Baltimore. Her work holds great promise for addressing social isolation in a way that is truly grounded in the wisdom and insight of the community,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “RWJF, through its initiative on building a Culture of Health, is changing how we think about fostering health and well-being. I am confident that Dr. Ogbolu’s work will add to our understanding while contributing to our community.” For more than 40 years, RWJF has worked to improve the health and health care of all Americans. The organization is striving to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Pathway to BSN streamlined for community college students in Southeastern Maryland Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Maryland, have launched an agreement of dual admission that will enable seamless academic progression from Wor-Wic’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Wor-Wic becomes the 12th community college in the state where students can apply to, be admitted to, and begin taking classes in UMSON’s BSN program while still completing their ADN, saving them time in completing both degrees. In addition, UMSON is currently covering the cost of its BSN courses for students participating in the dual-admission partnership while they are still enrolled in the ADN program, an opportunity made possible with funds from a gift from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation.  The partnership further expands opportunities for nurse academic progression in Southeastern Maryland, a predominantly rural/agricultural area. Nurses play a prominent role in delivering care in these communities, where access to health care professionals and institutions may be limited. “Supporting nurses within these communities to progress academically is crucial to the health of these rural areas,” said Linda Murray, DNP ’16, MS ’84, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director, RN-to-BSN program, UMSON. “Many of these future BSN-prepared nurses will choose to continue on to an advanced practice role serving their home communities and providing people there with the services of a trusted professional.” The dual-admission agreement gives Wor-Wic students the opportunity to be immersed in upper-level coursework, preparing them for a smooth transition into the UMSON BSN program. Students will receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at Wor-Wic. “The collaborative partnership between Wor-Wic and UMSON is such a grand opportunity. It will enable our students to pursue their educational goals toward earning their BSN and to advance their nursing careers while improving the overall health of the community,” said Brenda J. Mister, EdD, MD, RN, department head and professor of nursing, Wor-Wic.   Aimed at increasing the number of qualified nursing candidates, the agreement is helping further the mission of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to transform health care through nursing. The campaign, based on the goals set forth by the Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report, aims to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020.  To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from Wor-Wic and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been awarded a $15,000 mini-grant from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in support of the All of Us Research Program. This precision health initiative led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is aimed at gathering health data from one million or more U.S. participants so that researchers can gain a better understanding of the multiple environmental, lifestyle, and biological factors that can impact health and develop the next great breakthroughs in health care. UMSON is one of nine nursing schools nationwide to be awarded this funding. Read More

Award honors doctoral students for advancing ground-breaking research and practice innovations. Baltimore, Md. – Marik Moen, PhD ’18, MPH, RN, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been named the 2018-19 recipient of the Excellence in Advancing Nursing Science Award by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Moen will be honored at AACN’s 2019 Doctoral Education Conference in San Diego, held Jan. 17-19, where she will present her award-winning study, “Social Stability as a Consistent Measure of Social Context in a Low-Income Population.” The award recognizes an outstanding dissertation, by a student in a PhD in nursing or Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS) program, that has the potential to advance science, education, practice and/or policy and adds to the scientific basis for nursing practice. Moen’s dissertation found that social stability (stability in housing, residence, legal relationships, income, and employment over a defined period of time) should be considered in diverse populations to support its associations with health outcomes. Moen’s research findings revealed that social stability adequately captured the diversity of social contexts of a low-income population in Baltimore and consistently predicted exposure to sexual risk behaviors, substance use, and violence, especially combinations of these exposures. “I am honored to have been nominated and received this award. It certainly validates my extensive efforts,” Moen said. “As it becomes more expected that health research, practice, and policy account for the influence of social conditions, consistency in the measurement of social context is critical. Social stability (SS) is one such measure. We found that social stability matters, both in quantity — small increases in SS reduced odds of substance use, sexual risk, and violence exposures — and in quality — moving/residential instability was associated with increased risks. Addressing SS can reduce the conditions that favor sex, drug, and violence exposures toward improved individual and population health.” A member of the UMSON faculty since 2007, Moen earned her PhD from UMSON in May and teaches in the Community/Public Health Nursing master’s specialty. This program prepares students to assume a leadership role in addressing large-scale health challenges that impact entire communities, with a strong focus on population health, social justice, and evidence-based programs. She also coordinates a program with the JACQUES Initiative at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Institute of Human Virology to transition hospitalized individuals living with HIV, who are not engaged in outpatient care, back to the community by providing intensive home/community case management and care coordination. “We congratulate Dr. Moen on being selected for this prestigious national honor. Her research is helping to pave the way for a better understanding of how to assess social determinants of health at the individual level,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This award further affirms the rigor and importance of Dr. Moen’s work. We applaud her commitment to addressing the health disparities in our society and know that she will continue to contribute to creating a true culture of health for all individuals.” AACN is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 810 schools of nursing nationwide. It establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. AACN’s vision is to create a health care system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

The seed grant symposium began with opening remarks from Perman, who gave credit to Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, director, Center for Interprofessional Education, and dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON). “She’s the person who keeps this alive, this onward and upward march that we insist on here at UMB in developing the right way to teach interprofessional health care delivery and the right way to deliver interprofessional health care delivery,” Perman said. Eight members of the UMSON faculty are serving on interprofessional teams awarded seed funding for five projects.   Read More

"Although we continue to build on our legacy, we certainly cannot and do not rest on it," UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN said to an audience of faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and other guests who gathered at the School Dec. 6 for the Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Labs 20th Anniversary Celebration. “Our clinical simulation program and its place in our curriculum is continually evolving and we are always responding to new opportunities to demonstrate national leadership.” Read More

From assisting as a newborn takes that first breath to helping a family prepare a loved one for hospice, few professions can lay claim to witness — and impact — life’s critical events the way nursing can. That was the message Sherry B. Perkins, PhD, RN, FAAN, president and chief executive officer of University of Maryland Capital Region Health, relayed Dec. 14 to summer and fall graduates of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, Maryland, where Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACS, executive vice president, provost, and dean of the Graduate School, conferred 82 nursing degrees in the Class of 2018. At UMSON’s sister ceremony at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre on Dec. 17, 221 degrees were conferred by University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Jay A. Perman, MD. Read More

Because of their outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, the School of Nursing and the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) have won the 2018 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Read More

Community college students can take UMSON courses while completing their associate degree. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Howard Community College (HCC) in Columbia, Maryland, recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will ensure a smooth transition from HCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Through the agreement, students can apply and be admitted to UMSON’s BSN program while in HCC’s ADN program. Students will receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at HCC and will be granted special student status to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree. "The dual admission partnership is a tremendous value to Howard Community College students, allowing them to progress toward their associate degree and begin the process of attaining their baccalaureate degree in nursing," said Georgene Butler, PhD ’05, MS ’91, BSN ’78, CNE, professor and dean of health sciences at HCC. "This new educational option will make the path to a bachelor’s degree more affordable for students and their families." An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the agreement is helping further the mission of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to advance comprehensive health care change. The campaign uses as its framework the landmark 2010 Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Additionally, the partnership program specifically addresses one of the eight goals set forth in the report: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. "We are looking forward to beginning this new partnership with Howard Community College. Nursing students living and working in Howard County will be able to seamlessly transition to the program at UMSON to complete their BSN," said Linda Murray, DNP ’16, MS ’84, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director, RN-to-BSN program, UMSON. HCC is the 11th community college in Maryland to partner with UMSON in a dual-admission agreement. To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from Howard and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Awards given to new faculty members to offset educational and professional development costs. Baltimore, Md. – Six University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have received $20,000 New Nurse Faculty Awards, funded through the Nurse Support Program II (NSP II), for Fiscal Years 2019-21. The following faculty members received New Nurse Faculty Fellowship Awards: Oluchi Ayichi, DNP ’17, MS ’11, BSN ’01, RN, CRNP, assistant professorKimberly Callender, DNP, CRNP, APRN-BC, assistant professorSeon-Yoon Chung, PhD ’16, RN, assistant professorElizabeth Johnson, MSN, CPNP-PC, clinical instructorAmanda Roesch, DNP, MPH, FNP-C, assistant professorDoris Titus-Glover, PhD, MSN, RN, assistant professor Maryland institutions with nursing degree programs are eligible to nominate newly hired, full-time, tenured or tenure-track, and clinical-track faculty members for the fellowship. The maximum amount of the three-year fellowship is $20,000. Recipients receive $10,000 during year one, and then $5,000 annually for the remaining two years. Funds can be used to supplement a fellow’s salary, to pay for graduate education expenses, and to cover professional development and associated costs. NSP II, funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, is a statewide initiative designed to address the nurse shortage in Maryland by increasing the number of nurses prepared to serve as nursing faculty. Since 2013, UMSON has increased enrollment by 26 percent in its traditional BSN and RN-to-BSN programs in response to the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, which calls for increasing the proportion of nurses with a bachelor’s degree to 80 percent by 2020. Currently, approximately 55 percent of nurses nationwide are educated at the baccalaureate level. The report further called for doubling the number of nurses with a doctoral degree, and UMSON’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program has grown by nearly 500 percent since 2013.          Ayichi, in the Department of Family and Community Health (FCH), is a Family Nurse Practitioner with expertise in clinical care and nursing education; Callender, at UMSON at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), has expertise in emergency nursing, pediatrics, and case management; Chung, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, has expertise in adult health, simulation education, and culturally competent care; Johnson, FCH, is a pediatric nursing expert; Roesch, FCH, is an expert in community health, particularly as related to underserved populations, including adolescent, reproductive, and sexual health, and in caring for gender and sexual minorities; and Titus-Glover, UMSON at USG, has clinical expertise in pediatrics, maternal and child health, and community/public health as well as experience in clinical research. “We are truly grateful for the generous support provided to our faculty members through the New Nursing Faculty Fellowship Program,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This initiative is instrumental in helping us to recruit and retain a diverse array of highly talented and dedicated individuals, who will help to ensure that were educating a nursing workforce fully prepared to meet the complex health care needs of Maryland’s residents, both now and in the future.” (top row, left to right) Oluchi Ayichi, DNP ’17, MS ’11, BSN ’01, RN, CRNP, assistant professor; Kimberly Callender, DNP, CRNP, APRN-BC, assistant professor; Seon-Yoon Chung, PhD ’16, RN, assistant professor(bottom row, left to right) Elizabeth Johnson, MSN, CPNP-PC, clinical instructor; Amanda Roesch, DNP, MPH, FNP-C, assistant professor; Doris Titus-Glover, PhD, MSN, RN, assistant professor # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Annual award issued by INSIGHT Into Diversity names top colleges for diversity nationwide. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been selected to receive the annual Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only honor recognizing U.S. and Canadian health schools and centers that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion across their campuses. INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, received a record number of nearly 175 applications this year and selected only 35 institutions for the award. Forty-six percent of UMSON students identify as racially and ethnically diverse, and 12 percent of our student body is male — both figures that are above average for schools of nursing nationwide. Diversity and inclusion are key priorities for the School and are among the seven core values of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). UMSON works to integrate these values fully and authentically into all aspects of its work and community. “As we prepare our students to be the next generation of nursing leaders, to be ready to contribute to a diverse and complex health care system, the School of Nursing must model the benefits of diversity and inclusion every day,” said Jeffrey Ash, EdD, assistant professor and associate dean for diversity and inclusion. “We believe every interaction matters and encourages and grows a sense of community that values empathy and civility.” The School of Nursing was the first school on the UMB campus to devote a full-time associate dean position to diversity and inclusion. Ash serves on the School's leadership team and on UMB's Diversity Advisory Council and consults with other schools on campus that do not have a chief diversity officer. He also heads the UMSON Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the School’s hub for collaborative and innovative thinking about diversity and inclusion. The office offers individual and departmental support with a focus on relationship and community building and advocacy, efforts aimed at ensuring fairness in policies and practices at all levels. It has developed activities, events, and affinity groups to engage faculty, staff, and students in thinking more broadly about diversity and in working toward a more inclusive community. For example, it offers biannual professional development opportunities for all faculty and staff that focus specifically on enhancing understanding of the multiple aspects of diversity and inclusion. “We are honored to be recognized with this prestigious award. The application process touched upon every aspect of our institutional life and provided an important opportunity for us to assess our progress,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Although our work is far from done, I sincerely thank our faculty, staff, and students for their deep commitment to ensuring that we live the values of diversity and inclusion every day in everything that we do.” The magazine said it measures an institution’s level of achievement and intensity of commitment in regard to broadening diversity and inclusion on campus through initiatives, programs, and outreach; student recruitment, retention, and completion; and hiring practices for faculty and staff. The honorees will be featured in the December 2018 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. UMB was recognized with a HEED Award in 2015, and UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD, was awarded the 2016 Giving Back Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Patricia Brennan, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, a pioneer in the development of information systems for patients and director of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) delivered a keynote lecture Oct. 11 at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) titled, “Precision Health and the National Library of Medicine: From Accelerating Discovery to Improving Health and Well-Being.” Read More

Three UMSON community members named Living Legends, Academy's highest honor. Baltimore, Md. – Cynthia L. Renn, PhD, MS '97, RN, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), and four UMSON alumnae were inducted into the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) as fellows during the academy's annual policy conference, held this past weekend in Washington, D.C. They join a community of more than 2,500 AAN Fellows nationwide. Renn's research focuses on understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying the development and persistence of neuropathic pain. Through her research, she aims to identify new therapeutic targets that could lead to developing treatment strategies to prevent and/or manage chronic pain and improve patients' quality of life. She also  mentors the next generation of nurse researchers — students and post-doctoral fellows — in all aspects of research, including the difficult technique of in vivo electrophysiological recording of spinal cord neurons in mice; Renn is one of only a handful of scientists nationwide who conducts such research. The following alumnae were also among the 195 distinguished nurse leaders who compose this year's cohort of AAN fellows: Kathleen M. Hunter, PhD '89, BSN '76, RN-BC, CNE Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, MAS, BSN '80, RN, an UMSON inaugural Visionary Pioneer Valerie K. Sabol, PhD '09, ACNP-BC, GNP-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAANP Brigit VanGraafeiland, DNP '08, CRNP Criteria for selection as a fellow include evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health care and sponsorship by two current AAN Fellows. Applicants are reviewed by a panel 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. Fellows include nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research, including hospital and government administrators, college deans, and renowned scientific researchers. The Academy fellows, with the addition of this newest class, represent all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and 29 countries. Additionally, the following UMSON community members were named 2018 AAN Living Legends, the Academy's highest honor; they represent slightly less than half of this year's seven Living Legend designees. AAN recognizes a small number of fellows each year as Living Legends, who have been AAN fellows for at least 15 years and have demonstrated extraordinary, sustained contributions to nursing and health care. Ada K. Jacox, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor emerita, well known as a pain researcher and fierce advocate for nursing and women's rights Beatrice J. Kalisch, PhD, MS '67, RN, FAAN, alumna, an internationally known nursing scholar who has made numerous contributions, particularly in the areas of the image of the nurse and patient safety Ruth McCorkle, PhD, BSN '68, RN, FAPOS, FAAN, alumna, a pioneer in oncology nursing, symptom science, hospice, and palliative care "We congratulate our faculty member and alumna Dr. Cynthia Renn on her election as a fellow and are extremely proud of all of our alumni who have been recognized with this singular honor," said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. "We particularly salute the three members of our School of Nursing community who have been recognized as Living Legends and are truly grateful for their exceptional and longstanding service to nursing practice, research, and scholarship." The American Academy of Nursing serves the public and the nursing profession by advancing health policy, practice, and science through organizational excellence and effective nursing leadership. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS, ’03, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been selected to serve on the National Clinical Care Commission (NCCC). Her term began Oct. 31. The NCCC is composed of 23 voting members, including 11 federal members and 12 non-federal members, and presents recommendations to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and to Congress. The NCCC evaluates and provides recommendations on the coordination and leveraging of federal programs related to complex metabolic or autoimmune diseases that result from insulin-related issues and that represent a significant disease burden in the United States, including complications due to such diseases.   As a member of the NCCC, Idzik will also help make recommendations regarding activities and gaps in federal efforts to support clinicians in providing integrated, high-quality care to individuals with these diseases and related complications. Additionally, she will speak to improvement in coordination of federal education and awareness activities related to the prevention and treatment of the diseases and complications, including the utilization of new and existing technologies.   "Diabetes is truly at epidemic levels across our nation. As a nurse practitioner, I have significant insight into disease prevention and the impact of this disease on individuals and our society as a whole," Idzik said. "I am honored to represent nursing and the University of Maryland, Baltimore as a member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Clinical Care Commission as we work on solutions to overcome complex metabolic and autoimmune diseases related to insulin." The 12 non-federal members are appointed as special government employees by the HHS secretary and have expertise in prevention, care, and epidemiology of the diseases on which the NCCC focuses. "We congratulate Dr. Idzik on her appointment to the National Clinical Care Commission and know that she will bring her tremendous experience in the clinical, educational, research, and policy realms to bear on issues before the Commission and will be a strong voice for nursing," said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. "The Institute of Medicine Report on The Future of Nursing was a true call to action for the nursing profession and a reminder of the importance of nurses serving as full partners with other health professionals in ensuring that our health care system delivers access to high-quality, patient-centered care that promotes health and well-being. I have no doubt that Dr. Idzik will be a highly effective contributor to the Commission’s work, and we salute her for serving in this important role." # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Annual scholarship awarded to seasoned and diverse nurses committed to careers in academic nursing education Baltimore, Md. – Benjamin Canha, MS ’96, RN, clinical instructor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) at the Universities at Shady Grove (archive), has received a National League for Nursing (NLN) Foundation for Nursing Education Scholarship Award. He is one of seven nurse educators nationwide to receive the award, which was presented at the 2018 NLN Education Summit in Chicago, Sept. 12-14. The NLN Foundation for Nursing Education offers scholarships of up to $8,000 each year to nurses pursuing advanced degrees in accredited programs who have completed at least half of their program requirements. Through the scholarship, the NLN Foundation aims to encourage more experienced and diverse nurses to pursue advanced degrees to prepare for full-time positions as nurse educators. Having joined the UMSON faculty in 2011 and now completing his PhD at the School, Canha serves as a nurse educator and nurse researcher role model in a field where men consistently compose just slightly more than 10 percent of the workforce. For his dissertation, Canha is researching the effects of humor in supporting those recovering from opioid use disorder to engage, assimilate, and maintain involvement with behavioral treatments and continue their recovery. “Recognition of my research efforts by the NLN validates the importance of this research in finding effective new treatments to combat the opioid epidemic and support recovery,” Canha said. “Earning a PhD and the research involved has positioned me, as a teacher and course director for psychiatric mental health nursing, to better serve undergraduates to understand the processes involved in addictive disorders and recovery. Students gain firsthand knowledge and experiences shared in my contributions to evidence-based practice.” During his tenure as a clinical research nurse at the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Canha began drawing 12-step-related cartoons and eventually published two educational books of cartoons to emphasize important recovery information in a more accessible format for a complex population. His examination of the impact of humor on recovery efforts could inform the national response to the current opioid epidemic and is an example of the application of nursing research to clinical practice. “We congratulate Ben Canha on receiving this prestigious award and express our deep appreciation to the National League of Nursing for its support of nurse educators pursuing advanced degrees,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Mr. Canha brings outstanding prior clinical experiences to his teaching and is able to translate them into the classroom. Through his insights, our students gain a solid understanding of disease processes and an empathy for and understanding of the humanity of those who suffer from substance use disorders. They also understand the impact of these disorders on individuals, families, and our communities. We are proud that he has been recognized by the NLN.” Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the NLN is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. It offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 40,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members. NLN members represent nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education in addition to health care organizations and agencies. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Louise S. Jenkins, PhD ’85, MS ’81, RN, FAHA, ANEF, a professor and the co-founder and director of the Institute for Educators at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a 2018-19 Wilson H. Elkins Professorship from the University System of Maryland (USM) for her work in developing a comprehensive blueprint for preparing the next generation of nursing faculty in the state. Read More

Renn and team studying chronic pain in trauma patients who have lower-extremity fractures. Baltimore, Md.  – Cynthia L. Renn, PhD, MS '97, RN, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a five-year, $3,073, 811 grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate chronic pain in trauma patients suffering from lower-leg fractures. Renn will serve as principal investigator for the study, and she will be joined on the research team by co-principal investigators Susan G. Dorsey, PhD '01, MS '98, RN, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, and UMSON alumna Mari Griffioen, PhD '15, MS '07, BSN '04. Chronic pain is a significant problem for trauma patients, and lower-extremity fractures have the highest incidence rate of chronic pain; the consequences are substantial. According to Renn, individuals with these types of fractures who go on to develop chronic pain at the fracture site miss more days of work and seek medical care more frequently than trauma patients who do not develop chronic pain. They also report experiencing high levels of pain intensity, anxiety, and depression. "This project is enormously important," Renn said. "Not only as it relates to improving the quality of life for trauma patients, but this study may also shed light on factors that play a role in other chronic pain conditions." While many patients develop chronic pain at the site of the fracture, there is variability in the number, type, and severity of symptoms, suggesting that genetic or genomic mechanisms may be key contributors. The research team will create a profile of the genes that can be used to identify differences in trauma patients who develop chronic pain as opposed to those who recover from injuries without chronic pain. Additionally, the team will  determine if there are physiological or psychological differences in the gene profile that may account for the symptom variability in lower-extremity fracture patients who develop chronic pain versus those who do not. This study will rigorously characterize a group of 240 trauma patients with a tibia and/or fibula fracture and a cohort of 40 healthy controls. Through the study, Renn, Dorsey, and Griffioen seek to examine if psychological, clinical, and sociodemographic factors are predictive of chronic pain characteristics in patients during the year following a lower-extremity fracture. The team will then construct a database of altered gene profiles — those genes that are different between patients with chronic pain and those without — as well as novel therapeutic targets and pathways for better pain management. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master's and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Project will help make workforce data readily available.  Baltimore, Md. – Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ’93, RN, associate professor and chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing at the Universities at Shady Grove, was recently awarded a $265,467 Nurse Support Program II (NSP II) grant to establish the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Funded through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), the grant will fund the project over two years. Through the project, Wiseman will ensure the state of Maryland is meeting the recommendation in the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 2010 Future of Nursing report calling for improving collection methods of workforce data. To plan for future workforce needs and to measure the success of programs and initiatives related to the report’s recommendations, an accurate and comprehensive data set is essential. The Maryland Nursing Workforce Center will be responsible for compiling and reporting this data. "It is difficult to secure accurate and adequate data on workforce-related issues and to measure the state’s progress on the IOM Future of Nursing recommendations when we do not have baseline data. In Maryland, there are pockets of data, but this data is not readily available to all constituents," Wiseman said. "The Maryland Nursing Workforce Center will provide a centralized repository of data to use for projections of future nursing resource needs, understanding diversity of the workforce, planning for educational programs to meet current and future requirements, identifying geographical distribution of nursing resources, and grant writing." The Nursing Workforce Center will enable the state to gather critical data in three key areas: faculty, pipeline, and practice. Faculty data focus on statistics related to the number of faculty positions available, projected faculty needs, areas with the most faculty vacancies, and educational background of faculty members. Relevant data for the pipeline include the number of nursing students currently in nursing programs, graduation rates, NCLEX pass rates, projected need for new nurses, recruitment and retention initiatives, number of qualified nursing school candidates denied admission, student diversity, and clinical placements. The practice data detail projected nursing demands, current workforce numbers, nursing shortage locations, and diversity within the workforce. "We are grateful to the Nurse Support Program II for funding this project to establish a Maryland Nursing Workforce Center and thank Dr. Wiseman for her significant leadership on this undertaking," said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, who also serves as co-chair of the Maryland Action Coalition (MDAC), established in 2011 to address the Future of Nursing’s recommendations. "This center is an important outgrowth of the ongoing work of MDAC and its commitment to advancing the recommendations of the IOM report. Along with my MDAC co-chair, Dr. Patricia Travis, we applaud this important step in providing a much-needed source of statewide nursing workforce data. The center’s work will support long-range planning on the need for nurses and nurse faculty and will allow for coordination of nursing workforce development throughout Maryland. We are confident it will provide an important resource for nursing leaders, policymakers, and regulatory bodies in our state. And it is a critical step in ensuring that in the years ahead, all Maryland residents have access to high-quality care that fosters better health and well-being." NSP II grants aid in increasing the capacity of nurses in Maryland by implementing statewide initiatives to grow the number of nurses prepared to serve effectively in faculty roles. MHEC offers a number of educational grant programs, funded by state general funds, special funds, and federal funds, designed to address Maryland’s economic and workforce development needs, campus reform initiatives, student preparation for post-secondary education, faculty and student diversity goals, and teacher professional development objectives. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Grant will help tackle the nation’s most pressing health care issues through support of high-potential doctoral nursing scholars. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been awarded a new $20,000 grant from Jonas Philanthropies, a leading national philanthropic funder of graduate nursing education. Matched by $20,000 from UMSON, the grant will provide $20,000 in academic funding each for UMSON PhD students Amy Nelson, MS ’17, BSN, and Rhea Williams, MSN, BSN, CNM, for 2018-20. As a grant recipient, UMSON joins Jonas Philanthropies in its efforts to improve the quality of health care by investing in nursing scholars whose research and clinical foci specifically address our nation’s most urgent needs. The grant will empower and support nursing students with financial assistance, leadership development, and networking to expand the pipeline of future nursing faculty, researchers, and advanced practice nurses and to improve the health of veterans. “We are extremely grateful to Jonas Philanthropies for their ongoing support of doctoral nursing students and congratulate Amy Nelson and Rhea Williams on their selection for designation as Jonas Scholars,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, “I know that they will benefit tremendously from the financial support and professional development opportunities that this program provides, and we look forward to their continued development as researchers, clinicians, and future nurse leaders.” Nelson and Williams are part of the new two-year cohort of more than 200 Scholars pursuing PhD, DNP, or EdD degrees at 95 universities across the country. The Scholars’ doctoral work will focus on critical priorities such as chronic health and preventative health. They join more than 1,000 Jonas Scholar alumni representing 157 universities across all 50 states. “As we welcome another impressive group of nurse leaders into the Jonas Scholar community, Barbara and I are honored to celebrate all that the program has achieved in the past decade,” said Donald Jonas, president of Jonas Philanthropies. “Nurses play a pivotal role in advancing our nation’s health care, and as we look to the future, we are thrilled to continue our work with our partner nursing schools and expand our impact to help the country’s most vulnerable citizens.” With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 each day,an entire generation of the health care workforce is preparing to retire. Coupled with the responsibility to care for 22.2 million veterans living across the country, thismeans the United States is facing a dire need for a new era of highly educated nursing professionals. Together, UMSON and Jonas Philanthropies believe the investment in the education of nurse leaders is critically important to improve the health care system. Jonas Philanthropies seeks to improve health care by investing where it matters most. It addresses high-need issues and audiences with high-impact solutions: promoting leadership in nursing and veterans health care, preventing and treating low vision and blindness, and protecting children’s environmental health. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Project will help increase number of CNL students from underrepresented backgrounds. ‌‌Baltimore, Md.– ‌Vanessa P. Fahie, PhD ’94, BSN ’76, RN, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was recently awarded a three-year, $2 million U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration grant to fund the project Increasing Diversity in the Clinical Nurse Leader Option. Through the project, Fahie and UMSON colleagues Lynn Chen, PhD, assistant professor, and Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD ’96, PMHCNS, BC, CNL, associate professor and associate dean for the Master of Science program, aim to increase the number of master’s-level Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) graduates from underrepresented backgrounds. Qualified students will receive academic, financial, and social support to aid in their successful completion of the CNL program. In addition, UMSON staff from its Student Success Center will provide academic advising and tutoring, and members from the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care will mentor, serve as role models, and assist with preparing students to present at local and national meetings and to be published in professional journals. “This important grant is consistent with the School of Nursing’s ongoing efforts to support development of a racially and ethnically diverse nursing workforce that meets the needs of our increasingly diverse society,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean and professor. “Our Clinical Nurse Leader students will benefit from a new pre-entry immersion program as well as academic support and mentoring. We also look forward to collaborating with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to expand the use of holistic assessments and cultural diversity training.” The goal of the project is to retain 85 percent of CNL students enrolled in the program each year; place 85 percent of CNL graduates from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds into practice within underserved communities; and distribute scholarships to eligible students each semester. Scholarships cover tuition and fees for the students’ first two semesters and include a book voucher for their first three semesters. Additionally, project leaders aim to establish an academic environment that supports cultural diversity and inclusion and the development of financial management skills. “We are using evidence-based strategies to recruit, enroll, retain, empower, and graduate nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Fahie said. “Through our commitment to include ethnic and racial minority populations who are underrepresented in the nursing workforce, we seek to improve health equity within their communities through professional nursing practice.” HRSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is the primary federal agency for improving access to health care by strengthening its workforce, building healthy communities, and achieving health equity. Its programs provide health care to people who are geographically isolated or economically or medically vulnerable. ‌ # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON teaming with Edmondson-Westside and Frederick Douglass high school students and families.  ‌‌‌Baltimore, Md.– ‌Vanessa P. Fahie, PhD, RN, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was recently awarded another College Preparation Intervention Program (CPIP) grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The $125,000 state award provides funding to institutions participating in the Maryland Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program, funded through a U.S. Department of Education competitive grant designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Through the CPIP-funded Exploring Health Profession Careers project, in collaboration with Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS), Fahie and UMSON provide services to Edmondson-Westside and Frederick Douglass high school students and their families; both schools are in West Baltimore. The project fosters career awareness and exploration, college readiness, financial literacy, and increased parental involvement. Students and their families are exposed to diverse options within the health care field in an effort to help overcome the disparity in educational attainment and awareness of health professions career opportunities among low-income students.  “The Exploring Health Profession Careers project leverages resources from public K-12, higher education, and nonprofit entities to address a triple threat — achievement gap, opportunity gap, and learning gap — for students attending low-performing high schools,” Fahie said. “It gives students the opportunity to engage in interactive college readiness activities that motivate them to aim higher, study harder, and take the courses required for college admission and success.” Additionally, this partnership allows the organizations to pool resources to develop a creative model to reduce the obstacles that might prevent high school students, particularly African-Americans interested in health professions, from graduating from high school and enrolling in college. The partnership will also increase communication among parents, teachers, and administrators to identify career and educational goals. “We congratulate Dr. Fahie on receiving further support for her important work fostering awareness of health professions careers among high school students,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It is essential that we continue to increase the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of our future health care workforce. Dr. Fahie’s efforts to introduce students at an early and impressionable age to the opportunities afforded by a health professions career is a valuable contribution and helps ensure that we will have the nurses and other health professionals needed to care for Maryland’s residents in the years ahead.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON awarded nearly $2 million in NSP II grant funding. ‌‌Baltimore, Md.– ‌Four University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been awarded Nurse Support Program II (NSP II) grants funded through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). UMSON’S grant awards total nearly $2 million. NSP II grants aid in increasing the capacity of nurses in Maryland by implementing statewide initiatives to grow the number of nurses prepared to serve effectively in faculty roles. MHEC offers a number of educational grant programs, funded by state general funds, special funds, and federal funds, designed to address Maryland’s economic and workforce development needs, campus reform initiatives, student preparation for post-secondary education, faculty and student diversity goals, and teacher professional development objectives. “We are thrilled that UMSON has received NSP II grant support for four significant and quite varied projects, each of which will help address Maryland’s need for a well-educated and well-prepared nursing workforce. These projects expand opportunities for seamless progression of Maryland high school students into nursing careers, increase the number of highly qualified clinical preceptors, build further expertise in quality improvement and evidence-based practices, and create a Maryland Nursing Workforce Center to ensure appropriate data for future decision-making,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are grateful to the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission for its generous support of nursing research and the Maryland Higher Education Commission for its leadership in administering the NSP II initiative. Together we are ensuring that Maryland’s residents have access to excellent health care now and in the years ahead." The NSP II grants awarded to UMSON beginning in Fiscal Year 2019 include: Debra Bingham, DrPH, RN, FAAN, associate professor – Advancing Implementation Science Education Project ($698,995, 3 years): The Advancing Implementation Science Education (AdvISE) project will expand statewide capacity in improvement science and quality improvement (QI) expertise. Implementation science expertise is a necessary foundation in expanding the effectiveness and impact of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students’ quality improvement projects. Implementation science and QI expertise is needed to increase evidence-based practices, which will improve the quality and safety of health care delivery and reduce moral distress and burnout among registered nurses. Through this project, Bingham and the AdvISE Steering Committee seek to advance faculty implementation science and QI knowledge and skills. This project will also aid faculty in effectively guiding and educating DNP students on how to develop, implement, and evaluate QI initiatives. Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS, ’03, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program – Continuation of Statewide Preceptor Modules for APRNs ($359,211, 3 years): Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) programs across Maryland struggle to identify enough preceptors to meet the growing needs of the program. Additionally, many active preceptors feel challenged in acquiring the skills needed to adequately mentor APRN students in a positive way. During the first cycle of funding, Idzik and colleagues created online learning modules and an in-person simulation to educate preceptors around the state. Through this continuation grant, Idzik seeks to recruit and educate more than 300 preceptors, who receive 11 Continuing Education Units upon completion of the program requirements. Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, associate professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program – PTECH at Dunbar High School for Health Professions with Baltimore City Community College ($629,919, 3 years): Through the NSP II grant, Trocky and UMSON aim to improve opportunities to develop a diverse and competent professional nursing workforce to care for patients in Maryland. UMSON plans to extend the Pathways in Technology Early College High (PTECH) program at East Baltimore’s Dunbar High School and use it as a pipeline to prepare and send students to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). After graduating from BCCC with an ADN, students can enroll at UMSON to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The mentoring program will offer students academic support, an overview of the nursing field, and financial aid options and is designed to improve career options and employment prospects for students. Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ’93, RN, associate professor and chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing at the Universities at Shady Grove – Establishing the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center ($265,467, 2 years): The Institute of Medicine’s 2010 Future of Nursing report recommended improving collection methods of workforce data. Currently, data about the nursing workforce in Maryland available to nursing agencies and organizations is lacking. In planning for future workforce needs and to measure the success of programs and initiatives, it is essential to have an accurate and comprehensive data set. Through this project, Wiseman seeks to establish the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to be responsible for compiling and reporting relevant data. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Earlier this month, 17 visitors to the University of Maryland School of Nursing's 28th Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics, held July 17-20, spent a full day in a hands-on workshop learning about using mobile apps in health care to benefit both patients and nurses and how to go about building apps themselves.  Read more.

Program designed to provide concepts and tools needed to enhance leadership capacity. ‌‌Baltimore, Md.– ‌Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS, ’03, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been selected as a Fellow in the 2018 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)-Wharton Executive Leadership Program, Aug. 6-9 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Participants come from 19 states and represent an array of institution types, including small, private, public, and large academic health centers. The program will be taught by faculty from Wharton, the University of Pennsylvania’s business school, who will present relevant and timely content designed to advance academic administrators to a higher level of leadership. It is open to deans/directors and associate deans/directors from AACN member schools who currently serve as the chief or associate chief nursing academic officer. Fellows must also demonstrate that they have progressive experience in academic administrative roles and positions and that their professional goals are congruent with the aims of the program. “I am honored to join this impressive cohort of academic nursing leaders. Leadership development is a lifelong journey for all of us, and today, more than ever, we need a diverse set of skills,” Idzik said. “Building strategic relationships and leading change, innovation, entrepreneurship, and negotiation are all in a day’s work.” Wharton is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. With a broad global community and one of the most published business school faculties, Wharton creates economic and social value around the world, and has more than 9,000 participants in executive education programs annually. The AACN-Wharton Executive Leadership Program’s curriculum is designed to provide the concepts and tools needed to enhance leadership capacity and hone the skills that are essential to thrive and move forward strategically. Additionally, the content addresses issues around managing and leading change, influencing and galvanizing a diverse set of stakeholders, and building enterprising relationships in highly volatile environments. Fellows will leave the program equipped with an advanced set of negotiation, leadership, and influencing skills, as well as the confidence and ability to serve on or lead high-powered boards. “We congratulate Dr. Idzik on being selected for this significant opportunity and applaud AACN and Wharton for their ongoing commitment to fostering leadership in academic nursing,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, who participated in the Executive Leadership Program in 2013. “Dr. Idzik has successfully led the significant growth and development of the School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program and has been an active and influential participant in public policy issues related to advanced practice nursing at the state and national levels. I am certain that she will both benefit from and contribute to the leadership program and that it will prove invaluable to her ongoing development as an academic leader within the School of Nursing and the profession.” AACN is the national voice for academic nursing representing 810 schools of nursing nationwide. It establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Funding will aid anesthesia students with cost of tuition, books, and fees.  ‌‌Baltimore, Md.– ‌‌Joseph E. Pellegrini, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, associate professor and director of the Nurse Anesthesia specialty at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded additional funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to continue the School’s nurse anesthetist traineeship program. HRSA has increased the amount of the grant award to $78,111. The trainee program aims to produce a more culturally competent and sensitive Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist workforce through proper education. Recipients of the grant are full-time nurse anesthesia students who have pledged to serve the medically underserved upon graduation, and the grant covers the cost of their tuition, books, and fees. Approximately 30 percent of all nurse anesthesia programs nationwide receive funding through this grant.   “This grant, which we’ve received for the past 11 years, is important because it helps offset the significant financial burden undertaken by full-time students who are completing a three-year doctoral plan of study,” Pellegrini said. “The grant is important not only to our students, but also to the School because it recognizes the Nurse Anesthesia program as one that promotes diversity and trains nurse anesthetists to work in areas that support the mission of HRSA. This includes meeting the needs of geographically isolated and economically or medically underserved populations.”  HRSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is the primary federal agency for improving access to health care by strengthening the workforce, building healthy communities, and achieving health equity. Its programs provide health care to people who are geographically isolated or economically or medically vulnerable. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Program includes mix of on-campus and online format.‌  Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will launch a 12-credit, post-baccalaureate Care Coordination Certificate program, which will prepare students for the Commission for Case Manager Certification Exam, this fall. Through the new certificate program, students will be trained to meet the growing demand for highly skilled nurse case managers and care coordinators to improve patient care and health outcomes through the design and implementation of care coordination systems.  “Hospitals, insurers, and health systems recognize care coordination as a key strategy in improving patient care outcomes and satisfaction and containing health care costs. It is important for nurses, in concert with other professionals, to adopt reconceptualized roles as care coordinators, health coaches, and system innovators,” said Patricia Zimberg, JD, MS, RN, assistant professor, UMSON. “Achieving this requires that nurses receive greater education in care management, quality improvement, and care coordination processes.” Students will have access to public health experts and industry leaders who will educate them on how to implement case management processes to coordinate care for clients with complex needs; use state-of-the-art technologies, information systems, and communications to support safe nursing practice; and evaluate the effects of care coordination on patient health outcomes. A growing demand for registered nurses with advanced training and skill in care coordination exists in acute and long-term care facilities, human services agencies, managed care organizations, and community-based settings. “Registered nurses with advanced didactic and clinical skills in care coordination can play a substantial role in developing, implementing, and leading interprofessional care coordination teams,” Zimberg said. “UMSON’s Certificate in Care Coordination will prepare the registered nurse to coordinate and evaluate care for clients with complex needs across the entire continuum of care, using state-of-the-art technologies, care coordination models, and information systems.” To complete the program, which will be offered through a mix of on-campus and online formats, students will be required to complete a 45-hour practicum experience in a community-based case management setting. Students can apply up to two of the four certificate classes toward an UMSON master’s degree in Community/Public Health Nursing. Applicants must be a registered nurse and have a bachelor's degree or be enrolled in a graduate program at UMSON. Graduate students can complete the certificate concurrently with their other graduate studies. Applications are currently being accepted. For more information, call the Office of Admissions at 410-706-0501 (option 2). # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Community college students can take UMSON courses while completing associate degree.  Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Maryland, recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will ensure students’ seamless transition from Chesapeake’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Chesapeake becomes the 10th community college in Maryland to sign such an agreement with UMSON. Through the agreement, students can apply and be admitted to UMSON’s BSN program while in Chesapeake’s ADN program. Students will receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at Chesapeake and will be granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree, thereby saving them time and money in completing their BSN degree. “This is a tremendous opportunity for students in our nursing program to continue their education in nursing, said Judith Stetson, PhD, RN, director, Chesapeake College/MGW Nursing Program. “Creating a highly educated nursing workforce significantly benefits the individuals, the nursing profession, and the local and global communities we serve.” An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the agreement is helping further the mission of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to advance comprehensive health care change. The campaign uses as its framework the landmark 2010 Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Additionally, the partnership program specifically addresses one of the eight goals set forth in the report: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. “We are excited to begin this new partnership with Chesapeake College.  It will provide the opportunity for those nurses and nursing students living on the Eastern Shore to seamlessly transition to the program at UMSON to complete their BSN,” said Linda Murray, DNP '16, MS '84, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director, RN-to-BSN Program, UMSON. To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from Chesapeake and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Assistant professor also serving on board of Bon Secours Hospital ‌Baltimore, Md.– ‌Lori Edwards, DrPH, MPH, BSN ’80, RN, PHCNS-BC, assistant professor, University of Maryland‌ School of Nursing, has been named president-elect of the Association of Community Health Nursing Educators (ACHNE). Edwards, who served as ACHNE’s vice president and program committee chair from 2016-18, will become president in 2020. As president-elect, Edwards, who has been a member of ACHNE since 2008, collaborates with the president while serving as a liaison and ex-officio member of all ACHNE committees. Edwards will also serve as a leading member of the Quad Council Coalition of Public Health Nursing Organizations (QCC). QCC provides voice and visibility for public health nurses; sets a national policy agenda on issues related to public health nursing; and advocates for excellence in public health nursing education, practice, leadership, and research.   "I am thrilled to continue to serve in a leadership capacity for ACHNE. I’m looking forward to this new role and to following in the footsteps of national leaders who have significant legacies,” Edwards said. “As I progress, ACHNE is also moving forward as it has a new health policy committee that aims to empower public health nurses to take the lead in population health and culture of health initiatives. The next few years promise to be very exciting, and we as an association will continue to support our members as we educate future community health nursing leaders."   ACHNE seeks to be recognized as the premier leader in community/public health nursing (C/PH) education and to impact positively local to global population health. It advances population health through quality C/PH nursing education, research, and service.  Additionally, Edwards is currently serving as a member of the board of directors for Bon Secours Baltimore Health System, which includes the acute care hospital in West Baltimore. As a board member, Edwards works closely with the hospital’s president, chief operating officer, chief financial officers, and other hospital leaders.   “We applaud Dr. Edwards for her leadership role in the Association of Community Health Nursing Educators and with the board of the Bon Secours Baltimore Health System,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her ongoing efforts on behalf of these two significant, and very different, organizations speaks volumes about her deep commitment to community and public health education, research, and service. It also serves as an outstanding example of how an individual nurse leader can advance the public good and make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities at the global, national, and local levels.”   As a member of the board, Edwards contributed to assisting hospital leadership assess finances; assist with hiring physicians; evaluate quality and safety data; and review operational procedures. The board also oversees the expansion and implementation of community programs. Edwards’ term on the board ends in 2021.  "It is an honor to be a part of this faith-based, ministry-driven health system that in addition to providing health care has numerous programs that address the social determinants of health in its surrounding communities,” Edwards said. “I am inspired by Bon Secours’ focus on social justice and its commitment to its mission, which is to help those in need. By serving on the board, I have been afforded an excellent opportunity to guide this work and to collaborate with colleagues across multiple disciplines."  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Program is tailored to aspiring and new deans. ‌Baltimore, Md.– Jana Goodwin, PhD, RN, CNE, assistant professor and director of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, has been selected to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Leadership for Academic Nursing Program (LANP). Goodwin is preparing to attend a five-day workshop in which she will participate in intensive classes and exercises related to effective academic leadership, July 29-Aug. 2 in Chaska, Minnesota. The AACN-sponsored LANP is an executive leadership fellowship tailored specifically for new and emerging executive administrators who aspire to move into senior administrative or executive positions within the nursing academic unit. The yearlong program is designed to prepare a more diverse, younger pool of leaders to shepherd nursing programs across the globe. This professional development experience encompasses an assessment and evaluation of leadership skills, opportunities for strategic networking and case development, consultation for achieving long-term goals, and identification of key partnerships. Fellows also have mentoring opportunities with an experienced dean. Goodwin is currently responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures for the BSN program. She also collaborates with UMSON’s department chairs, faculty, and the Office of Student and Academic Services for curriculum development; faculty mentorship; quality assurance and improvement; program coordination, planning, and evaluation; and student recruitment, retention, and academic progress. “We congratulate Dr. Goodwin on this honor. She is highly regarded as an emerging leader and has demonstrated significant expertise on issues of diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence with respect to both learning and practice,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She is committed to preparing the next generation of nursing professionals to deliver care in a culturally appropriate manner and is a true asset to our program. I look forward to her future contributions as a nurse educator and administrative leader.” This year, 49 fellows were selected from across 25 states through a competitive application process to participate in the program. “This is such a great opportunity to be able to participate in a program that focuses on enhancing the leadership skills of nurse educators,” Goodwin said. “The ability to share ideas and to network with other nurse leaders will be an invaluable experience. I believe that the skills and mentorship gained will be essential to my role as the BSN director at the School of Nursing.” AACN is a unique asset for the nation that serves the public interest by setting standards, providing resources, and developing the leadership capacity of member schools to advance nursing education, research, and practice. By 2020, as a driving force for quality health care, AACN will leverage member schools in meeting the demand for innovation and leadership in nursing education, research, and practice. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Chair seeks to build collaborative relationships inside and outside of department. Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently appointed Assistant Professor Susan Wozenski, JD, MPH, as chair of the Department of Family and Community Health (FCH). The department’s faculty specialize in community/public health, family, pediatrics, and psychiatric mental health. Wozenski had been serving as interim chair since November 2017. In this role, Wozenski is responsible for hiring and developing quality personnel for faculty and staff roles in the department and for mentoring them and fostering their ongoing success. “I am humbled by the range of expertise and depth of experience of the department’s diverse faculty; their teamwork; and the passion they bring to teaching the next generation, research/scholarship, and practice. I look forward to working with the faculty to further their professional development and strengthening the School of Nursing community,” Wozenski said.  Wozenski was recruited to the University of Maryland, Baltimore as UMSON’s assistant dean for student affairs (1993-2002); since 2003, she has served as FCH’s vice chair. She also holds an appointment as primary faculty for the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. In 2015, she received the program’s Teaching and Mentoring Award. She also serves as affiliate faculty in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, at the University of Maryland, College Park. This year, she received the Dean Jane M. Kirschling Excellence in Leadership Award. Wozenski earned a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law, an MPH with a concentration in epidemiology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and an AB in Biological Sciences from Mount Holyoke College. “Dr. Wozenski has been an exceptional citizen of the School and University. An excellent teacher, she is a strong advocate for faculty, staff, and student success. I am confident that FCH will continue to thrive under Dr. Wozenski’s leadership as everyone works to meet the School’s and University’s multiple missions,” Kirschling said. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Proulx served at UMSON for more than 40 years. Baltimore, Md. – Joseph R. Proulx, EdD, RN, has been appointed professor emeritus by University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Jay A. Perman, MD. Proulx served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) for 44 years, 37 at the rank of full professor with tenure. He retired in December 2015. A professor emeritus is a retired faculty member who has demonstrated an exemplary record of service to the School and to the profession. The faculty member must also express a desire to continue to support the School’s mission. “After working for the School of Nursing for over 40 years, I never expected such an honor. To say I was shocked is an understatement. I appreciate Dean Kirschling and all others who made this honor possible,” Proulx said. “There is an old saying from an educator: ‘By your students you shall be taught,’ and indeed, I have learned a lot. I will always treasure the fond memories of my classroom interactions with all of the wonderful students who have crossed my path.” During his tenure at UMSON, Proulx developed and taught graduate core courses for the Health Services Leadership and Management master’s program. He served on the Committee on Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure; Graduate Admissions Committee; Graduate Curriculum Committee; Master’s Program Committee; Specialty Coordinators Committee; and Faculty Council. He was instrumental in designing and implementing the dual-degree offerings for the MS/MBA and the former PhD/MBA from UMSON and the University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business, serving as a co-principal. Proulx was also a member of the UMB planning group for an interdisciplinary course on conflict management offered by UMSON and the schools of Medicine, Law, and Social Work. “We congratulate Dr. Proulx on this well-deserved honor. Throughout his career at the School of Nursing, he gave generously of his time through teaching, mentoring students, and service to the School and University,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are very fortunate that Dr. Proulx chose to share his 44-year career with us and that he also shared his considerable expertise with such a wide array of community programs, educational institutions, and professional organizations. It is no surprise that he continues to be much loved by his former students and mentees and highly esteemed by his faculty colleagues.” Regionally, Proulx has shared his expertise as a consultant to other nursing programs, including those at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems, George Mason University, Salisbury University, Georgetown University, and the University of Southeastern Louisiana. He also received the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Nursing Service from Columbia University’s Nursing Education Alumni Association of the Teachers College in 1985, and in 1989, he was named an Honorable Mention for the Outstanding Educator Award from the Maryland Association for Higher Education. Since his retirement, Proulx continues to lecture at UMSON, teaching one class per semester as needed. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Assistant professor to oversee development, implementation, and evaluation of HSLM program. Baltimore, Md. – Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has appointed Assistant Professor Linda Diaconis, PhD, MS ’95, BSN ’92, RN, specialty director of the Health Services Leadership and Management (HSLM) master’s program, effective June 1. “It is an honor to have been appointed, and as an alumna of the program, I know how important it is to build upon the strong foundation of nursing education in preparing our future health care leaders,” Diaconis said. “I am really looking forward to collaborating with colleagues and our partner institutions to foster a teaching and learning environment that inspires students to excel in scholarship and the practice of nursing.” Since her arrival in 2013, Diaconis has been engaged in teaching, research initiatives, and service activities in the HSLM Master of Science specialty, ranked No. 4 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. In her new role, Diaconis will maintain the integrity of the HSLM program by providing curricular leadership and guidance. She will also continue to recruit, advise, teach, and mentor students.   “Dr. Diaconis is fully engaged in the mission of our School and is very familiar with the workings of the HSLM specialty,” said Kathleen Michael, PhD, RN, CRRN, associate professor and chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, in which the HSLM program resides. “Over the years, Dr. Diaconis has demonstrated that she is a committed teacher, research co-investigator, committee member, and professional association leader who exercises mature, authentic leadership. She is conscientious by nature, and with her strong attention to detail and ability to work with many personalities to achieve positive results, I am confident that she will be an asset in this important role.” The HSLM master’s specialty prepares students to lead in today’s complex health care environment or to become a nurse educator. Students choose a Leadership and Management, Business, or Education focus and take advantage of practica placements with leaders at hospitals and health care systems, universities and community colleges, national and state agencies, and more. Diaconis earned a PhD in education from the University of Maryland, College Park and Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees from UMSON. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently hosted its annual Convocation ceremony at Royal Farms Arena to celebrate the 409 graduates who completed their degrees. UMSON’s Class of 2018 included 201 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 84 Doctor of Nursing Practice, 104 Master of Science, eight PhDs, and 12 certificate graduates. Read more.

Community college students can take UMSON courses while completing associate degree.  Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) recently signed an agreement of dual admission. BCCC becomes the ninth community college in Maryland to sign such an agreement with UMSON. Through the agreement, students can apply and be admitted to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program while in BCCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Students will receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at BCCC and will be granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree, thereby saving them time and money in completing their BSN degree. “This partnership with UMSON creates a smooth transition for BCCC students who are enrolled in our ADN program to obtain their BSN degree,” said Scott Olden, MS, RN, dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions, BCCC. An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the agreement is helping further the mission of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to advance comprehensive health care change. The campaign uses as its framework the landmark 2010 Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The partnership program specifically addresses one of the eight goals set forth in the report: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. “UMSON faculty and staff welcome the opportunity to work with the BCCC community to provide an avenue for its ADN students to earn their BSN degrees,” said Linda Murray, DNP '16, MS '84, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director, RN-to-BSN Program, UMSON. “We are looking forward to working together to advise the nursing students at BCCC on how to successfully enhance their skills as they progress through the program.” To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from BCCC and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

A gift of $10 million from Bill and Joanne Conway, through their Bedford Falls Foundation, will enable the University of Maryland School of Nursing to provide scholarships to nearly 350 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees and aid in addressing the state’s nursing workforce needs. Maryland is one of four states in the nation anticipated to experience a shortage of 10,000 or more registered nurses by 2025. Read more.

State representatives advocate for the interests of AANP. Baltimore, Md. – Veronica Gutchell, DNP ’13, CNS, CRNP, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been elected as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) representative for the state of Maryland. Her term begins July 1 at the close of AANP’s national conference in Denver. ‌In this role, Gutchell will represent the interests of AANP, its members, and the community at large. She will also function as the key state contact person for the AANP regional director, Board of Directors, committees, and executive staff. “It is an honor to have been elected as a Maryland state representative. I’m excited to act as a liaison between Maryland nurse practitioners and AANP,” Gutchell said. “I will collaborate with state organizations on issues affecting nurse practitioners and offer solutions by connecting them with the available resources provided by the national organization. In turn, I will share with AANP the outstanding work being done by Maryland nurse practitioners who are committed to delivering high-quality health care to Maryland residents.” AANP is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of more than 248,000 licensed NPs in the United States. It also provides legislative leadership at the local, state, and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education, and research; and establishing standards that best serve NP patients and other health care consumers. Serving as the voice of the NP, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. “We congratulate Dr. Gutchell on being elected the AANP representative for Maryland,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She has demonstrated her deep commitment to advanced practice nursing and will do an outstanding job as a liaison between our state and the national organization. Dr. Gutchell represents nurse leadership at its finest, and I know that in her new role, we will all benefit from her ability to translate the experiences and interests of Maryland’s nurse practitioners to leaders at the regional and national level.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Annual award is given to nurse practitioner for participation in health care policy development. Baltimore, Md. – Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been named the recipient of the 2018 Loretta C. Ford Award for Advancement of the Nurse Practitioner Role in Health Care. She will be honored at the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Induction Ceremony on June 28 during the organization’s national conference in Denver. ‌The Loretta C. Ford Award is presented annually to a nurse practitioner who demonstrates participation in health care policy development internationally, nationally, or locally. Additionally, the award winner has shown a sustained and specific contribution to clarification of the role and scope of practice of nurse practitioners and/or creative and effective action to turn a challenge to the nurse practitioner role into an effective opportunity to advance practice and improve patient outcomes. “We congratulate Dr. Resnick on her receipt of this prestigious award,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her innovative and rigorously conducted research has significantly enhanced our understanding of how to optimize function in older adults. Dr. Resnick is an outstanding example of leadership in nursing research and practice, and it is wonderful to see her recognized by AANP for her impact on the care of countless individuals and on policy.” AANP honors Resnick, a gerontological nurse practitioner, nurse researcher/scientist, and educator, for influencing the role and scope of practice of gerontological nurse practitioners and other nurse practitioners through her leadership at local, national, and international levels. As a scientist, Resnick has focused her research on optimizing function and physical activity among older adults and facilitating healthy behaviors in this population across care settings. Her work has global significance to stakeholders across disciplines. Additionally, Resnick has been instrumental in helping nurse practitioners gain the ability to bill Medicare for services provided across all settings. “It is an honor to receive this award, and I am particularly touched to have been nominated by a group of my colleagues,” Resnick said. “This award reflects on my work as a nurse practitioner and my work in interdisciplinary care and geriatrics. The work I’ve been involved with is particularly important as it has laid the foundation for the role of the advanced practice nurse among other members of the health care team.” AANP is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 248,000 licensed nurse practitioners in the United States. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state, and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve nurse practitioner patients and other health care consumers. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD, received the Commitment to Community Award from Paul’s Place, the Southwest Baltimore community outreach center that has transformed lives for more than three decades. Read more.

UMSON Nursing Informatics specialty still No. 1 in the nation. Baltimore, Md. – In the newly released 2019 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is included in the top 10 nationally for all ranked master’s and DNP specialties. The School’s master’s-level Nursing Informatics specialty remains No. 1 in the nation. UMSON’s overall Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is ranked at No. 8 with the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist specialty ascending to No. 3. Its Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Family, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesia round out its top-10 DNP specialty rankings. The Nurse Anesthesia specialty rankings were released in the 2017 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools” and will be in effect until 2021.  In addition, two master’s specialties — the Clinical Nurse Leader option and Nursing Administration, which represents UMSON’s Health Services Leadership and Management specialty — join Nursing Informatics in the top five. In 2010, the Institute of Medicine’s report on The Future of Nursing called on schools of nursing nationwide to double the number of nurses with a doctoral degree. UMSON’s DNP program, launched in 2006, has grown significantly over the past five years, currently enrolling 473 students, which is up from 89 students in 2013. Nurse practitioners are answering the call to provide more of the nation’s primary care services, especially in rural and underserved areas, and UMSON’s DNP program prepares nurses to deliver complex care across the lifespan and to improve patient outcomes through the translation of research into practice. “It is gratifying to continue to be recognized nationally for our master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs and to have our numerous specialty areas receive recognition in the top 10,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “These rankings are a testament to the commitment of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni to excellence in nursing education, research, and practice. The School of Nursing continues to play an important role in state and national efforts to increase the number of nurses with advanced degrees; we believe this is essential to ensuring that nurses are well prepared to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse communities within a rapidly changing health care environment.” Rankings are based on a variety of indicators, including student selectivity and program size, faculty resources, and research activity, and on survey data from deans of schools of nursing that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the United States and is in the top 10 nationally for all of its ranked master’s and DNP specialties. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

By Kevin Nash As the nation’s Baby Boomers continue to age, there is a critical need for nurses. Maryland is one of four states in the country predicted to experience a shortage of 10,000 registered nurses or more by 2025.    In response, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) is working with WorkSource Montgomery (WSM) and the Healthcare Initiative Foundation (HIF) to combat the projected nursing shortage in Montgomery County, home to USG’s Rockville location. WSM, a public-private partnership that convenes key stakeholders to create an innovative workforce system approach for sustainable, industry-driven talent solutions in Montgomery County, Maryland, was awarded a two-year, $200,000 extension of the Rx for Employability grant from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to fund the Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) grant. The grant aims to accelerate the pipeline of Montgomery County residents earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree while addressing the critical nursing shortage in the county.  “BSN nurses are now preferred by the majority of hospitals and health care agencies, and most of our graduates seek employment within the region. These monies are an excellent investment in the area’s workforce,” said Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ’93, RN, associate professor and chair of UMSON at USG. “We are very appreciative of the efforts of WorkSource Montgomery and the Healthcare Initiative Foundation in providing scholarship funding for our students. These funds can make the difference as to whether a student can attend our program on a full-time versus part-time basis.” HIF supports organizations that offer solutions to improve the quality and delivery of health care for Montgomery County residents while providing a high-quality, comprehensive, cost-effective, and sustainable health care system. In 2011, HIF and UMSON began working together, forming an RN-to-BSN workforce pipeline scholarship program. Now, WSM has joined the team, providing funds through the EARN scholarship to supplement tuition support for more than 60 UMSON BSN students at USG. “We are excited about the opportunity to further expand our BSN pipeline with USG in collaboration with WorkSource Montgomery though the Maryland EARN grant,” said Crystal Townsend, president of HIF. “One of HIF’s investment priorities is to develop a highly skilled health care workforce to meet the health and wellness needs for all Montgomery County residents. The nursing workforce pipeline supported through this collaborative partnership helps us meet this vision for our community.” Since 2013, UMSON has increased enrollment by 27 percent in its traditional BSN and its RN-to-BSN programs at its Baltimore and USG locations in response to the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, which calls for increasing the proportion of nurses with a bachelor’s degree to 80 percent by 2020. Currently, approximately 55 percent of nurses nationwide are educated at the baccalaureate level or higher. Funding from the EARN Scholarship is one of many ways UMSON nursing students are being supported in their efforts to complete their baccalaureate education.   “As we work to expand the number of nursing graduates at all levels, we need to increase the number of nurses educated at the baccalaureate level or higher,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Supporting new students or practicing nurses in obtaining their BSN degrees is critical to ensuring that we will have a nursing workforce that can meet the needs of our patients, their families, and our communities in the years ahead. This scholarship support is an important component of addressing that need, and we are deeply appreciative.” Employment opportunities for nurses are projected to rise 15 percent nationwide over the next decade.

Community college students can take UMSON courses while completing associate degree.  Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Harford Community College (HCC) in Bel Air, Maryland, recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will ensure students’ seamless transition from HCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. HCC becomes the eighth community college in Maryland to sign such an agreement with UMSON. ‌Through the agreement, students can apply and be admitted to UMSON’s BSN program while in HCC’s ADN program. Students will receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at HCC and will be granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree, thereby saving them time and money in completing their BSN degree. “We encourage all of our nursing students to determine their career goals early in their nursing education and develop an academic progression plan,” said Laura Cianelli Preston, dean, Nursing and Allied Health Professions, HCC. “This partnership adds to our students’ options in taking the next step in advancing their nursing degree.” An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the agreement is helping further the mission of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to advance comprehensive health care change. The campaign uses as its framework the landmark 2010 Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The partnership program specifically addresses one of the eight goals set forth in the report: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. “We are excited to begin this partnership with Harford Community College. It will provide ADN students at Harford Community College with a flexible BSN degree option for continuing their education,” said Linda Murray, DNP '16, MS '84, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director, RN-to-BSN Program, UMSON. “This option provides them with a seamless transition to the BSN, as it enables them to work on prerequisites or take UMSON courses while enrolled in their prelicensure program.” To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from HCC and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

By Kevin Nash Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACS; Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN; E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA; Lisa Rowen, DNSc, RN, CENP, FAAN; Jay A. Perman, MD; and Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, cut the ribbon for the new Standardized Patient Program facility housed in the School of Nursing.   Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, and leaders of the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland Medical Center on March 1 officially opened a new and expanded Standardized Patient Program (SPP) facility — a collaboration of the University of Maryland Schools of Medicine and Nursing — that prepares students to provide the highest quality patient care and fosters interprofessional education. Kirschling was joined by UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD; E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, executive vice president for medical affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM); and Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, president and chief executive officer, University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), University and Midtown Campuses, in discussing the history and benefits of the facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place just outside of the facility’s entrance on the second floor of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON). UMSON alumna Lisa Rowen, DNSc, RN, CENP, FAAN, chief nurse executive, University of Maryland Medical System, and senior vice president for patient care services and chief nursing officer, UMMC, and Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACS, executive vice president, provost, and dean of the Graduate School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, joined the others as they cut the ribbon on the expanded and enhanced facilities where learners from the University and across the region can refine their clinical and communication skills with professional standardized patients (SP). SPs are “trained patients” who offer learners an opportunity to practice history and physical exam skills or who present patient/client case scenarios in a clinical setting. Through SP encounters, learners gain essential experiences that are critical to preparing them for clinical practice and for building a skilled workforce and improving health care outcomes. The encounters are controlled, making them safe for both the student and the SP, and can be reproduced consistently for ongoing standardized assessment and instruction. “Today, we are celebrating our new and expanded state-of-the-art facilities for the Standardized Patient Program in large measure because of the exceptional partnership that the schools of Medicine and Nursing have with the University of Maryland Medical Center,” Kirschling said. “The Medical Center’s generosity and shared vision for educating the next generation of health professionals will ensure that our students receive top-notch training to deliver the highest quality of care to the residents of Maryland and our region.” In 2016, UMMC opened a new urgent care center on UMSON’s first floor, using the space that the SPP — at that time known as the Clinical Education and Evaluation Laboratory — previously occupied. As a result, the laboratory needed a new home. Through funding from UMMC, the lab was upgraded and relocated to the second floor. “These partnerships are foundational to how we accomplish our vision. We are ecstatic to be able to support such an important initiative,” Suntha said. “I love the fact that the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the University of Maryland Medical Center are leading what should be the national approach to how we think about innovation in education.”  The new facility boasts an environment that looks like a real clinic or hospital setting with eight outpatient exam rooms, four dedicated inpatient spaces, and two counseling rooms. It also offers enhanced realism for SP encounters through a conscious approach to organizational design so that learners and SPs do not cross paths before their encounters. “We know with certainty how important standardized patient programs are to high-quality education in health professions, and I’ve seen the power of standardized patients again and again,” Perman said. “I not only see how standardized patients make our students better, but also how they make the education that we provide our students better. Facilities like these are how we prepare competent, compassionate professionals.” Additionally, the facility features improved audio/visual capabilities with high-definition cameras, contemporary clinical equipment in the exam rooms, a small-group learning space with equipment for recording, and an SP training room with equipment to record trainings. UMB’s Standardized Patient Program provides clinical education to medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, genetics counseling, physical therapy, and other health program students. The University also makes its facilities available for training of other health care personnel, such as paramedics and physician assistants, and to other colleges and universities in the region. “We often talk about collaboration — this epitomizes effective teamwork, which will be to the benefit of our patients,” Reece said. “The Standardized Patient Program led by the schools of Nursing and Medicine represents that level of collaboration.” The program employs more than 120 SPs, of which 65 percent are trained actors. In 2017, the SPP facilitated more than 13,000 learner contacts and hosted more than 500 SP events.

By Kevin Nash As part of their coursework in preparation for graduating from the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, students submit poster presentation abstracts on various health topics to national nursing organizations. Eight UMSON DNP students — Kelly Allen, BSN, RN, CCRN; Sharon Ballinger, BSN, RN, CCRN; Eugena Bergvall, BSN, RN, CCRN, CNRN; George Bigalbal, BSN, RN, CEN; Jamie Bowman, BSN '12, RN; Ajibola Ibironke, BSN '11, RN, CCRN; Megan Lucciola, BSN, RN, CMSRN; and Theresa Nowak, BSN, RN, CCRN — had their abstracts accepted to several upcoming national nursing organization conferences. In developing their abstracts, DNP students in Diagnosis and Management 5: Advanced Practice/Clinical Nurse Specialist Roles in Health Care Delivery Systems were asked to select a national nursing organization to which to submit a poster presentation abstract, review the organization’s abstract submission guidelines, and describe how and why they identified the health care need or topic they focused on. Assistant Professors Maranda Jackson-Parkin, PhD, CRNP-BC, ACNP, CCNS, CCRN-K, and Alicia Williams, DNP, RN, MBA, ACNP-BC, CCNS, served as mentors. Some students’ presentations were accepted to multiple conferences. “Having so many of our students have their abstracts accepted at national conferences demonstrates the dedication of our students and their faculty mentors to advancing the practice of nursing and is the reason UMSON is a top-10 DNP program,” said Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS ’03, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for the DNP program. “Much like any of the other skills our advanced practice registered nurse students learn, dissemination takes practice. Presenting at these conferences will set the stage for lifelong scholarship.” Allen will be presenting “Using Clinical Data to Design Nurse Education for Expansion of Oncology Services” at the Oncology Nursing Society’s 43rd Annual Congress, May 17-20, in Washington, D.C. The abstract will also be published in an online issue of Oncology Nursing Forum. In addition, Allen had a second abstract, “Translation of a Vascular Specific Cardiac Risk Stratification Tool into Practice for Patients Undergoing Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair,” accepted for display, this time at the Society for Vascular Nursing 36th Annual Conference, June 20-21, in Boston. Ibironke also had two abstracts accepted. She will present “Effectiveness of Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (QSOFA) as Sepsis Screening Tool in the Emergency Department (ED)” as a podium presentation at MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s 3rd Annual Nursing Evidence-Based Practice and Research Conference on March 8 in Washington, D.C. The same abstract was also accepted to the 6th International Congress on Bacteriology and Infectious Disease, May 21-22 in New York City. Additionally, Ballinger, Bergvall, Bigalbal, Bowman,Lucciola, and Nowak all will present their posters at the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists’ annual conference, Feb. 28-March 3 in Austin, Texas.

MEDIA ADVISORY  WHAT:    Standardized Patient Program Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony The University of Maryland Schools of Nursing and Medicine opened an expanded and enhanced facility where learners from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and across the region refine their clinical and communication skills with professional standardized patients (SP).  Since its original launch in 2000, the Schools have collaborated on the standardized patient program. SPs are “trained patients” who offer learners an opportunity to practice history and physical exam skills or who present patient/client case scenarios in a clinical setting. The program uses more than 120 SPs – 65 percent are trained actors. UMB’s new interprofessional facility offers enhanced realism of SP encounters through a conscious approach to organizational design so that learners and SPs do not cross paths before their encounters and an environment that looks like a real clinic or hospital setting. The facility also features improved audio/visual capabilities with high-definition cameras, contemporary clinical equipment in the exam rooms, a small-group learning space with equipment for recording, and an SP training room with equipment to record trainings. Through SP encounters, learners gain essential experiences that are critical to preparing them for clinical practice and for building a skilled workforce and improving health care outcomes. The encounters are controlled, making them safe for both the student and the SP, and can be reproduced consistently for ongoing standardized assessment and instruction. UMB’s Standardized Patient Program provides clinical education to medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, genetics counseling, physical therapy, and other health program students. In addition, UMB makes its facilities available for the training of other health personnel such as paramedics and physician assistants and to other colleges and universities in the region. Following the ceremony, SPs and students will offer tours of the facility. WHEN:                           3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 1                                                            WHERE:                          University of Maryland School of Nursing Museum Lobby, Second Floor                                           655 W. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201 # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Program facilitates global health opportunities for students. Baltimore, Md. – Four University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) students have been awarded grants to participate in the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Center for Global Education Initiatives (CGEI) grant program, which supports students traveling abroad this summer to various destinations to participate in global health initiative projects. Clinical Nurse Leader master’s student Elyse DeLaittre; Bachelor of Science in Nursing students Julie Factor and Sarah Litts; and PhD student Amy Nelson received grants to participate in various projects. CGEI is also providing guidance to the students regarding travel planning, cultural preparation, funding resources, and safety and security. “We are very excited for Amy, Sarah, Elyse, and Julie. Traveling to another country to address critical global health challenges forces our students to shift their cultural stances and opens their eyes to other ways of providing health care,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, assistant professor and director, UMSON Office of Global Health. “Global health service-learning experiences are important pathways for bi-directional learning and are often transformational experiences. Nelson and Litts will travel to Costa Rica with four other UMB students and three faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Law to participate in the project “A comparative analysis of emerging infectious disease outbreak preparedness and response in Costa Rica and the U.S.” The team will examine how the U.S. and Costa Rican governments responded to the 2016 Zika outbreak from clinical, pharmaceutical, health care, and community perspectives; compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of the two different approaches; and assist in conceptualizing how to implement in the United States successful practices used abroad, while overcoming potential barriers. Additionally, students will learn how to engage the community during infectious disease outbreaks. DeLaittre, three other UMB students, and two faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) will travel to The Gambia to participate in the project “Health system strengthening in The Gambia: A continuation of prior work.” This project will build upon the foundational work laid in previous UMB visits in 2014 and 2016, with the aim of providing local Gambian health leaders with the knowledge and resources to fortify the country’s health system. Previously, UMB has served as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health in support of WHO’s Global Plan of Action on Worker’s Health. The team will provide technical expertise and content knowledge focused on the health care environment to assist low-to-middle income countries in implementing practices to ensure basic worker protections. Additionally, the group will work to prioritize and implement health care worker protections as one pillar of health system strengthening and sustainability. Factor, two other UMB students, and an UMSOM faculty member will go to Rwanda to participate in the project “First assessment of injection drug use practices and associated HIV risks in Kigali, Rwanda.” Students will partner with a team of Rwandan medical and nursing students to develop a survey to implement a pilot study at a clinical site in Kigali. The team will seek to ascertain the prevalence and associated behaviors for injection drug use in addition to processing data and presenting the results at an international infectious disease conference. UMSON’s Office of Global Health predominantly focuses on nursing students, while CGEI is a campuswide academic resource center for UMB faculty and students who are interested in global education opportunities. CGEI promotes and supports interprofessional global education, identifies global themes that can be contextualized locally, and facilitates academic work related to global education. “The summer grants program spearheaded by the Center for Global Education Initiatives provides an extraordinary opportunity for our nursing students to join other UMB students and faculty in interprofessional learning opportunities within a global context,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Our students will participate in what will undoubtedly be an incredible learning and service experience that reflects our commitment to interprofessional education and to diversity and inclusion.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON demonstrating commitment to sustainable practices. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been accepted to the Maryland Green Registry, a free, voluntary program that offers tips and resources to help businesses and other organizations set and meet their own goals on the path to sustainability. Members are required to demonstrate that they have shared information about a minimum of five environmental practices at their facility and must provide a measurable result for at least one of the practices. For example, in fall 2006, UMSON instituted a pay-for-print system in student computer labs and dropped the number of student computer labs from four to one, decreasing the School’s monthly use of printing paper from 1.5 cases per week to three reams per week. And in 2017, UMSON adopted a desktop printer policy for faculty and staff, which has reduced toner cartridge use from 500 per year to 35. Also in 2017, the School implemented a climate change elective, an online, interdisciplinary elective course on climate change, thanks to a grant from the MADE CLEAR organization. Additionally, UMSON implemented water bottle-filling stations about four years ago. “At our institution, we are doing what we can to improve the environment and create sustainability, both through education and action,” said Robyn Gilden, PhD ’10, MS ’01, RN, assistant professor and chair of UMSON’s Climate Change Committee. “We are focused on reducing UMSON’s negative impact on the environment, and it is important to show that the nursing profession is leading the way towards safer and healthier communities and workplaces.” As a registry member, UMSON has the opportunity to increase the visibility of its environmental efforts through the registry’s website; to have access to free information and technical assistance for implementing new environmental best practices; and to receive information about webinars and conferences to help continue its greening efforts. Additionally, UMSON is eligible for the annual Maryland Green Registry Leadership Awards. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has welcomed four new faculty for the spring 2018 semester. Three of the four join the growing faculty at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland, where UMSON offers its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and RN-to-BSN programs and its Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner specialty, supporting nursing workforce development in the Washington, D.C., capital region. New to UMSON are: Kimberly Callender, DNP, APRN-BC, assistant professor, Universities at Shady Grove Tolvalyn Dennison, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, clinical instructor, Universities at Shady Grove Chinyere Obasi, BSN, RN, nursing simulation training specialist, Universities at Shady Grove Tonya Schneidereith, PhD, CRNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP-AC, CNE, CHSE, associate professor, Partnerships, Professional Education, & Practice UMSON proudly extends a warm welcome to these faculty. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Pamela V. Hammond, RN, PhD, ScD (hon), MS '78, FAAN, ANEF, one of UMSON's 25 inaugural visionary pioneers, entertained and enlightened a crowd at the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Black History Month celebration Feb. 1 with her presentation “Would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Take a Knee?" And she didn’t mention the National Football League once. Read more.

Grant assists with educational and professional expenses. Baltimore, Md. – Michelle Moulton, MS ’09, RN, PCCN-K, CHSE, clinical instructor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a $20,000 Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant for Practice and Dissertation Research. This competitive grant program is designed to assist PhD and Doctor of Nursing Practice candidates by helping to cover costs associated with graduate education expenses; professional development; course release time; research-related administrative support; and project-related expenses for supplies, travel, and document creation. Its goals are to increase the number of doctorally prepared nursing faculty in Maryland, to strengthen faculty development for optimal capacity at schools of nursing, and to recruit and retain a diverse nursing faculty.  “The Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Nurse Support Program II funding has been a wonderful resource to facilitate the achievement of my academic goals. I am honored and grateful to have received the Nursing Education Doctoral Grant,” Moulton said. “Primarily, the award will assist in relieving student loan debt and, in addition, will provide funding to support the completion of my Doctor of Nursing Practice project.” NEDG is part of the Nurse Support Program II, a statewide initiative funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. It helps increase Maryland’s nursing capacity by supporting initiatives that advance the recommendations outlined in the Institute of Medicine’s report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. “We are extremely grateful for this important support to faculty pursuing doctoral degrees. The NEDG program responds to the critical need to increase the number of faculty with advanced degrees and to ensure a highly educated nursing workforce for the future,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We congratulate Ms. Moulton on her award and look forward to her ongoing contributions to teaching and research at UMSON, in particular through her work in the areas of clinical simulation and interprofessional education and practice.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Specialty director to oversee academic trajectory of DNP students. Baltimore, Md. – Susan L. Bindon, DNP ’11, MS ’95, RN-BC, CNE, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been appointed specialty director of UMSON’s Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) option. Bindon has been a member of UMSON’s faculty since 2011. In her new role, Bindon is responsible for providing curricular leadership for DNP core coursework and overseeing the academic trajectory of approximately100 post-master’s DNP students. She will also provide leadership in program coordination; curriculum planning; and student recruitment, retention, and advisement. “I’m happy to begin this new role working with the post-master’s DNP students and faculty,” Bindon said. “Our DNP graduates have made remarkable impacts on patient outcomes, systems leadership, policy, and education. I look forward to seeing their influence continue to grow." The new specialty director maintains a faculty practice at the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Center for Professional Practice and Development. She is certified as both an academic and hospital-based educator. “Dr. Bindon has an extensive clinical, professional development, and academic background, including teaching in clinical, classroom, and online environments, which makes her an excellent fit for this position,” said Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS ’03, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for the DNP program. “She has a passion for developing others and an amazing ability to think creatively. Her leadership skills make me confident that she will excel in her new role.” Bindon earned a DNP, master’s degree, and post-graduate teaching certificate from UMSON and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announces fifth and final cohort for innovative program. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is one of 31 schools of nursing nationwide selected to receive a grant aimed to increase the number of nurses holding PhDs. The selected schools compose the fifth cohort of grantees of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Future of Nursing Scholars program, which provides financial support, mentoring, and leadership development to nurses who commit to earning their PhDs in three years. UMSON has received a $150,000 grant to award two nursing students with this prestigious scholarship. “Our fifth cohort of scholars will join an impressive group of nurse researchers who are already making significant contributions to the field. This program is designed to empower nurse leaders to progress efficiently. The selected scholars will complete their PhDs in an expedited, three-year time frame,” said Julie Fairman, PhD, RN, FAAN, Future of Nursing Scholars program co-director and Nightingale Professor of Nursing and chair of the Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. In its landmark nursing report, the Institute of Medicine recommended doubling the number of nurses with doctorates. While enrollment in Doctor of Nursing Practice programs has increased exponentially, PhD program enrollment has seen less growth. Increasing the number of nurses with PhDs can help ensure that more nurses are conducting vital research and will also help address the nurse faculty shortage. “When this program concludes, we will have graduated more than 200 PhD-prepared nurses. RWJF is thrilled to see the program succeed so well, and we are very thankful for the other funders who have joined us in support of this work,” said Susan Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN, co-director of the program and RWJF’s senior adviser for nursing. In addition to the $75,000 per scholar that UMSON has received from RWJF, the School of Nursing will provide matching funds of $50,000 per scholar from an endowed fund for educational assistance. UMSON will select its two scholars this spring, and the students will attend a boot camp with the Future of Nursing Scholars program this summer and begin their PhD studies this fall. “We are thrilled to be able to have two PhD students participate in this cohort of the Future of Nursing Scholars program and are grateful to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the other funders for establishing such a robust program of financial support, interdisciplinary mentoring, and networking,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “There is a critical need for additional PhD-prepared nurses to lead in the spheres of research, education, practice, and policy and address the challenges of our health care system to ensure that we are able to meet the needs of our patients and society at large in the years ahead.” For more than 40 years, RWJF has worked to improve the health and health care of all Americans.The organization is striving to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Family and friends packed the Hippodrome Theater on Dec. 18 to celebrate UMSON's summer and fall 2017 graduates, including 197 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 11 Doctor of Nursing Practice, 40 Master of Science, 55 Clinical Nurse Leader, and eight certificate graduates. Keynote speaker Marla Oros, MS, BSN ’84, RN, president, Mosaic Group, told graduates and their guests that despite the changing, challenging, and even chaotic times we live in, she is optimistic about the future of health care. Oros implored the graduating nurses to believe that their time is now. Fifty-eight of the BSN degrees were conferred to students at the Universities at Shady Grove, where keynote speaker Joan Vincent, MSN, MS, RN, NEA-BC, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, addressed graduates in a similar ceremony on Dec. 15. Read more.

Articulation agreement revision received unanimous support. Baltimore, Md. – Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ’93, RN, associate professor and chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), served as project coordinator for the recently revised Maryland Nursing Articulation Plan. The original Maryland Nursing Articulation Plan, which dates back to 1985, set the stage for several other articulation plans in the state of Maryland. “The articulation model serves as a roadmap for colleges and universities as they plan and provide academic progression models for registered nurses. It allows us to adequately address the barriers encountered by registered nurses as they continue their education, which is crucial as we strive to adhere to the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing recommended goal of 80 percent of registered nurses prepared at the Bachelor of Science level by 2020,” Wiseman said. “The revision to the Maryland articulation plan reflects the current practices in transfer of credits, prerequisite requirements, and dual admission/dual enrollment programs.” Maryland is one of four states predicted to experience a shortage of 10,000 registered nurses or more by 2025. Through the Maryland Action Coalition (MDAC), formed in 2011 in response to the IOM report, the state has been promoting seamless academic progression to baccalaureate programs as a solution and top priority. In response, the dual-admission articulation model was created, allowing students to apply and be admitted to a Bachelor of Science (BSN) program while in an Associate Degree in Nursing program at a community college. These new approaches and commitments to academic progression models needed to be reflected in the articulation plan to assure consistency across colleges and universities. In 2015, Wiseman solicited the Maryland Council of Deans and Directors of Nursing Programs (MCDDNP), currently chaired by Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, assistant professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program at UMSON, to form a work group to review the articulation plan. Wiseman led the six-member group in discussing and revising the plan. “Dr. Wiseman was instrumental in coordinating the Maryland Council of Deans and Directors of Nursing Programs to develop an articulation document that more accurately supports nursing education and, specifically, the attainment of the BSN,” Trocky said. “MCDDNP is committed to developing a competent nursing workforce who provides high-quality care to the citizens of Maryland. This revision minimizes barriers to academic progression, thereby supporting this goal.” The work group presented a final draft of the revised articulation agreement to the MCDDNP in December 2016, and after review, a subgroup submitted recommendations to MCDDNP in February 2017. In May 2017, MCDDNP members voted on the revision, resulting in 100-percent acceptance. The Maryland Higher Education Commission endorsed the articulation agreement in November. “Drs. Wiseman and Trocky are to be commended for their forward thinking and tireless efforts in actualizing the 2017 Maryland Nursing Education Articulation Agreement for the Maryland Higher Education Commission. MDAC has focused on ensuring that the state has a well-educated nursing workforce,” said MDAC co-lead Patricia Travis, PhD ’99, MS ’76, BSN ’69, RN, CCRP, senior associate director, clinical research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.“ Although the newly released HRSA report for 2014-30 projects that Maryland is no longer in danger of experiencing a shortage of registered nurses, the future is still uncertain. Promoting seamless academic progression is one strategy to meet Maryland’s upcoming nursing demands.” The effort to revise the Maryland Nursing Articulation Plan was funded through grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AARP’s Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action State Implementation Plan IV and the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Nurse Support Program II. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is currently incurable. Baltimore, Md. – Chris Ward, PhD, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a five-year, $2,589,060 grant from the National Institutes of Health for the research project “Microtubule Regulated Mechanotransduction in Skeletal Muscle.” This research project builds upon Ward and his team’s previous work investigating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a devastating, degenerative muscle disease caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene, resulting in the absence or reduction of the dystrophin protein. Through this disease, muscle becomes fragile and easily damaged, which predisposes the patient to muscle loss and respiratory and cardiac dysfunction, leading to premature death. “Currently there is no genetic cure for DMD. Until effective genetic therapies become available, we are focusing on identifying dysregulated pathways responsible for disease progression,” Ward said. “Our ultimate goal is to design pharmacological interventions to halt or slow the progression of DMD.” Through examining DMD heart and skeletal muscle, Ward and his team have discovered that alterations in microtubules lead to an excess of calcium and reactive oxygen signals that are responsible for disease pathology. The NIH grant will enable the team to define the mechanisms that alter the microtubules in DMD muscle and determine if pharmacological ‌strategies targeting microtubules are effective in treating this devastating disease. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Faculty and students from the University of Maryland School of Nursing have spread their reach beyond Baltimore as participants in programs offered through University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Office of Global Health. They recently shared their experiences from around the world during the ninth annual “Global Health on the Ground: Students & Faculty Reflections from the Field.” The event featured student and faculty accomplishments from field placements in Brazil, Liberia, Nigeria, and Rwanda. Read more.

A University of Maryland, Baltimore-led clinic has begun helping patients who are discharged from the University of Maryland Prince George’s County Hospital Center to succeed in their transitions from hospital or the emergency department to home by addressing circumstances that could harm their health and lead to readmissions. The new Interprofessional Care Transitions Clinic (ICTC) in Cheverly, Maryland, is designed to expand access and continuity of care for Medicare, Medicaid, and newly insured patients who lack access to a primary care provider by addressing that gap after their discharge. To facilitate patients’ linkages to providers within the community, the ICTC combines the clinic and two UMB-managed resources: the Governor’s Wellmobile operated by the UM School of Nursing and the e-Health Center operated by the UM School of Pharmacy. The clinic is an interprofessional, team-based program that includes pharmacists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and lawyers. Read more.

Community college students can take UMSON courses while completing associate degree. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) in Largo, Maryland, recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will ensure students’ seamless transition from PGCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Through the agreement, students can apply and be admitted to UMSON’s BSN program while in PGCC’s ADN program. Students will receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at PGCC and will be granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree, thereby saving them time and money in completing their BSN degree. “This dual admission agreement offers a remarkable opportunity for our nursing students to begin the pursuit of their BSN while simultaneously completing their ADN program,” said Angela D. Anderson, dean of Health, Business, and Public Service at PGCC. “We value our partnership and look forward to working with UMSON on this and future initiatives.” An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the agreement is helping further the mission of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to advance comprehensive health care change. The campaign uses as its framework the landmark 2010 Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The partnership program specifically addresses one of the eight goals set forth in the report: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. “Our partnership with Prince George’s Community College is exciting for the University of Maryland School of Nursing. It provides ADN students at the community college with a flexible option for obtaining their BSN degree as they work on prerequisites or take UMSON courses while still enrolled in their prelicensure program,” said Linda Murray, DNP '16, MS '84, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director of the RN-to-BSN program at UMSON. “The partnership will assist with increasing the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in Maryland.” To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from PGCC and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore has placed a high priority on interprofessional education (IPE), and its importance is recognized in the University's 2017-2021 Strategic Plan. Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, University of Maryland School of Nursing, and a professor from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, are in Year 2 of a three-year project, “Interprofessional Care in Geriatrics Program: Applying Evidence to Clinical Practice.” The project focuses on meeting the needs of elderly residents in the Mount Clare senior housing facility in West Baltimore. Read more.

UMSON’s Anesthesia Specialty is in 100 percent compliance with COA’s standards. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia specialty has been granted continued accreditation for 10 years from the Council on Accreditation (COA). “I am thrilled, but am not at all surprised, that the COA awarded UMSON’s Nurse Anesthesia program full accreditation. It is not often that the COA awards a program full, 10-year accreditation with no progress report required,” said Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS, ’03, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. “It is something to be proud of and speaks to the quality, integrity, and performance of our program, faculty, and students. Our faculty are extremely dedicated to our Nurse Anesthesia program and students, and with support from our many health care partners, we graduate some of the best nurse anesthetists in the world.” UMSON’s Nurse Anesthesia specialty, which was found to be in 100 percent compliance with the standards, was granted accreditation with no annual progress report required, which is rarely granted. Even fewer programs achieve the maximum accreditation of 10 years. Although UMSON is not required to submit an annual progress report, it does need to submit faculty and student online evaluations in spring 2022. The Nurse Anesthesia specialty is next scheduled for consideration for continued accreditation in fall 2027. “I am extremely proud of the fact that our program was in 100 percent compliance with the standards,” said Joseph E. Pellegrini, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, director of the Nurse Anesthesia specialty. “This is a testament to the outstanding faculty, students, and staff who support and facilitate this program.” COA is an accrediting agency that grants public recognition to nurse anesthesia programs and institutions in the United States that award post-master’s certificates and master’s and doctoral degrees that meet nationally established standards of academic quality. It also assists programs and institutions in improving educational quality. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON provides pipeline of nurses for Shady Grove Medical Center. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, Maryland, was presented with the Adventist HealthCare Spirit of Partnership Award at the organization’s gala on Nov. 18. Through the award, Adventist HealthCare recognizes individuals and organizations who have led the way in furthering its mission through their commitment to health care and improving lives. UMSON at USG was honored for the strong partnership it has formed with Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and Washington Adventist Hospital over the years. The School of Nursing has provided Adventist HealthCare with the most nursing residents of any nursing school which has helped to build a pipeline to the medical center of nurses who deliver high-quality, compassionate care. Adventist and UMSON at USG work in tandem to ensure nursing students gain hands-on experience while completing their senior practicum, including 180 hours at the bedside with a nurse who guides the student’s clinical practice. On average, eight School of Nursing students complete their practicum at Shady Grove Medical Center each semester. Additionally, students finishing their junior year at UMSON at USG serve as externs in Adventist’s externship program, which prepares students to succeed in the residency program in the future. “Adventist HealthCare is a very strong supporter and partner of the nursing school program at USG. Our students have been welcomed in all areas of the enterprise, and in turn, many of our graduates have chosen to begin their nursing careers at the various Adventist Health entities,” said Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ’93, RN, associate professor and chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s program at USG. “It is a pleasure to work with a quality-driven organization that continually strives for excellence in meeting the health care needs of Montgomery County.” Shady Grove Medical Center, a not-for-profit, 305-bed, acute-care facility in Rockville is a part of Adventist HealthCare’s system of health care services. It is nationally recognized for cancer care, cardiac and vascular services, orthopedics, and joint replacement. Adventist HealthCare, based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization of dedicated professionals who work together each day to provide excellent wellness, disease management, and health care services to the community. “We are thrilled that the School of Nursing program at the Universities at Shady Grove has been recognized by this distinguished award from Adventist HealthCare,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We have a longstanding and shared commitment to bringing excellent nursing care to individuals and families throughout Montgomery County and the region. We are deeply appreciative of our partnership with Adventist HealthCare; it is essential to ensuring that the next generation of nursing professionals is well prepared to meet the needs of our diverse and growing population.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Warren to become chair for 2019. Baltimore, Md. – Joan Warren, PhD '04, MS '88, RN-BC, NEA-BC, FAAN, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been selected to serve as co-chair of the American Nurses Foundation’s (ANF) Nursing Research Grants program for 2018. Warren is serving a one-year term. As co-chair, Warren will work closely with the current chair to guide the grant review process. She will then become chair for 2019. Warren has been recognized for advancing the professionalism of nurses and improving hospital environments through research. Additionally, Warren has been instrumental in building structures and developing processes for infusing evidence-based practice and research into the Association for Nursing Professional Development. “I am extremely honored to be selected as co-chair and future chair of ANF’s Nursing Research Grants program. The program has supported beginner and experienced nurse scientists in conducting scientific research across the health care continuum for almost 60 years, and as a former recipient of the grant, I know how meaningful the award is to aspiring nurse scientists for their career growth,” Warren said. “I look forward to working with the reviewers and ANF staff in achieving its mission for improving the health of the nation through the power of nursing research.” Each year, through the Nursing Research Grants program, ANF provides funds to nurse researchers to conduct studies that contribute to advancing nursing science and enhancing patient care. The program continues to grow with contributions for nursing research from organizations and individuals. These donations support scientific research for advancing the practice of nursing, promoting health, and preventing disease. “We want to congratulate Dr. Warren on the honor of being selected as co-chair of the ANF’s Nursing Research Grants program,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her longstanding commitment to engaging nurses in research and the translation of evidence into practice coupled with her leadership in professional development for nurses make her ideally suited to contribute to this important national program.” ANF is dedicated to transforming the nation’s health through the power of nursing. It is the only philanthropic organization with a mission to improve health care and support the 3.6 million nurses across the United States. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Recipients recognized for efforts in technology, media, chapter excellence, research, education, practice, and leadership. Baltimore, Md.  – Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON); a faculty member; four alumnae; and the School’s local Pi Chapter were honored at Sigma’s (also known as Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society for Nursing) 44th Biennial Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The awards recognized health care professionals for their contributions to professional excellence. Kirschling received Sigma’s Melanie C. Dreher Outstanding Dean Award for Excellence in Chapter Support, which honors a dean who is an active participant in the chapter and is engaged in supporting Sigma chapter activities. The awardee also provides significant support from the school to the chapter while championing faculty and student involvement in chapter activities and encouraging faculty and student participation in local, regional, and/or global Sigma activities. Erika Friedmann, PhD, professor and associate dean of research, was named an honorary member of Sigma. The organization bestows honorary membership upon individuals of national or global influence who are not eligible for regular membership but have furthered the course of health care and demonstrate sustained superior achievements that have contributed to the advancement of nursing and health care at the national or global levels. The four alumnae who received awards at Sigma’s convention were: Janice Hoffman, PhD ’06, RN, ANEF Robin P. Newhouse, PhD ’00, MS ’99, BSN ’87, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN Elizabeth Sloand, PhD, MS ’86, CPNP, FAAN Nancy Sullivan, DNP, MS ’92, BSN ’75, RN Sloand earned the Audrey Hepburn Award for Contributions to the Health and Welfare of Children, presented each biennium to a nurse who has made significant contributions to the health and wellbeing of children, and Newhouse earned the Dorothy Garrigus Adams Award for Excellence in Fostering Professional Standards, which recognizes leadership in encouraging the use and promotion of growth of professional standards. Hoffmanand Sullivan received The Capstone International Nursing Book Award for their publication, Medical-Surgical Nursing: Making Connections to Practice. “We are thrilled that Dr. Friedmann has been named an Honorary Member of STTI in recognition of her international standing as a researcher and scientist. We also warmly congratulate our alumnae on their prestigious awards,” Kirschling said.  “It is truly a privilege to be a part of the School of Nursing’s Pi Chapter, which fosters nursing excellence not only among our own students, faculty, and alumni, but also among nurses throughout the region; being recognized for chapter support is indeed an honor and quite humbling.” Additionally, UMSON’s local Pi Chapter was recognized through the Showcase of Regional Excellence for its efforts to fulfill Sigma’s Presidential Call to Action, which asks chapters to demonstrate influence through advocacy, policy, philanthropy, and/or lifelong learning. Pi Chapter was recognized at the regional level in the lifelong learning category for its partnership with the School’s Office of Professional Development to co-sponsor and support the Ann Ottney Cain Lecture in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and the Virginia Lee Franklin Lecture, both part of the annual Dean’s Lecture Series, and the Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics. Sigma seeks to advance world health and celebrate nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Membership is offered to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who have demonstrated excellence by scholarship. Nurses who exhibit exceptional achievements in nursing can also be invited to join via the Nurse Leadership option. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Leana S. Wen, MD, MSc, FAAEM, was en route to speak at an endowed lecture at the University of Maryland School of Nursing Oct. 26 when President Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency, leaving Baltimore City’s health commissioner with many questions. Wen’s remarks about Trump’s declaration were at the forefront of her address in the Millicent Geare Edmunds Lecture, part of the 2017-2018 Dean’s Lecture Series. Read more.

By Kevin Nash A 6-year old is experiencing a medical issue that doctors are unable to properly diagnose without ordering an MRI. On average, an MRI lasts 30 minutes to an hour and requires patients to lie completely still in a narrow, enclosed space — a tall task for a young child. In cases like these, and for other medical or dental procedures, sedation is often used to allow providers to treat children, especially those younger than 7-10 years old. While sedating a child may allow for successful diagnosis and/or treatment, there are risks. According to a 2015 report in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, approximately 5 percent of children suffer life-threatening, adverse events while sedated during a procedure. When colleagues at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) approached Dawn Mueller-Burke, PhD '01, MS '98, CRNP, NNP-BC, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), to investigate how children undergoing procedures are being monitored for safe and adequate sedation, it was a well-matched collaboration, as Mueller-Burke had previously worked on an NIH-funded grant regarding sedation in UMMC’s pediatric ICU. Now, Mueller-Burke is teaming with fellow UMSON faculty member Shari Simone, DNP '11, MS '96, CRNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, FCCM, FAANP, assistant professor; and UMMC colleagues Peggy Dorr, DNP, CPNP, pediatric nurse practitioner, Pediatric Sedation Service, and Karen Kaiser, PhD, RN, clinical practice coordinator, Oncology, Pain, & Palliative Care, on a $14,800 UMNursing Collaborative Grant for the joint research project, Testing Reliability, Validity and Clinical Utility of the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale in Spontaneously Breathing Children Undergoing a Procedure, which they hope will prevent future sedation/agitation complications in a young population.   The Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) can accurately assess mechanically ventilated, sedated, pediatric critically ill patients. Mueller-Burke and the UMMC team will determine the validity, reliability, and clinical utility of RASS when used by nurses in the largest pediatric population of spontaneously breathing children to be assessed to date. Using a single tool across an institution’s care settings may reduce the risk of communication errors due to misinterpretation by providers and staff in different settings. Mueller-Burke expects the team’s findings to be applicable to a large procedural sedation population and allow description of procedural sedation patterns, both priorities of a national pediatric sedation professional organization. “It’s great to see UMSON and UMMC nurses collaborating on a nursing project that has clear nursing outcomes. It’s really important to determine if the tools nurses use to assess children are good for the task. If they’re not, we need to adjust them or develop others,” said Erika Friedmann, PhD, professor and associate dean of research, UMSON. “This research will make a meaningful contribution to nursing practice and quality of care for vulnerable children as they undergo procedures required to diagnose and treat their health conditions.” In addition to being exposed to sedatives during procedures more frequently than are adults, children are at risk for adverse events while receiving sedative or analgesic medications because they require a deeper level of sedation and their physiology places them at higher risk for respiratory depression and hypoxia (Cravero, et al., 2006). Although clinical judgment is important, the use of a reliable, valid, clinically useful sedation/agitation tool is critical  in determining a young patient’s sedation needs. This routine assessment should minimize adverse effects associated with the sedation medications used. “As a faculty member of the School of Nursing, I’m embracing the opportunity to work with an incredible cadre of nurse scientists and clinicians from UMMC where this idea was born. I look forward to this special opportunity as a joint collaboration between the School of Nursing and UMMC to enable multiple educational opportunities for our doctoral students,” Mueller-Burke said. “Linking arms with our fellow DNP and PhD colleagues and the bridging of academic and UMMC resources and expertise exemplifies the goal of true translation of best evidence to practice.” ‌‌From left to right: Shari Simone, Karen Kaiser, Peggy Dorr, and Dawn Mueller-Burke

Antol is the third UMSON faculty member to be named Public Servant of the Year. Baltimore, Md. – Susan Antol, PhD, MS ’79, RN, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was named the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) 2017 Public Servant of the Year during its annual Founders Week. Antol is the ninth UMSON faculty member to receive a Founders Week Award since the celebration was initiated in 1996. Antol joined UMSON in 1998 as director of clinical operations for an array of the School’s nurse-managed clinics, including the Governor’s Wellmobile Program, a mobile health clinic; Open Gates, a nurse-managed primary care clinic affiliated with University Care; and school-based health centers. She also served as a clinical instructor in community health nursing, bringing with her more than two decades of experience in community and home health care nursing. Since 2009, Antol has served as director of the Wellmobile, established in 1994, which provides health care services in underserved areas ranging from Maryland’s Eastern Shore to Prince George’s and Montgomery counties and Western Maryland. Despite the thousands of patients it treats annually, Wellmobile state funding was cut in half in 2009. Antol diligently pursued grants and partnerships, acquiring three years of funding from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and $1.04 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration; she also collaborated with the School of Pharmacy on a $1.2 million Maryland Community Health Resources Commission Grant, all of which has kept the Wellmobile running. “One of the many things that sets Dr. Antol’s work apart is the breadth and reach of her activities — both programmatically and geographically,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Applying her understanding of community health nursing, her organizational and leadership skills, and her personal attributes of perseverance and tenacity, she has brought health care services to vulnerable individuals in all parts of the state, including at-risk children and youth, the homeless, migrant workers, veterans, and victims of human trafficking, as well as to those living in unserved or underserved areas. She is someone with enormous resilience in the face of setbacks and with strength of character and will to not give up.” Each year, UMB celebrates the achievements and successes of its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and philanthropic support and pays tribute to its 200-plus-year history. As part of the celebration, awards are presented in four categories: Researcher of the Year, Public Servant of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year.  Nominees for Public Servant of the Year must have engaged in service that addresses the unmet needs of underserved health, school, and social service populations of Maryland, particularly among the disadvantaged, and must be worthy of recognition relative to peers in their chosen field. “It is truly an honor to be selected as the recipient of this award because it highlights the impact that innovative models of care can have on population health,” Antol said. “UMSON’s leadership, the Partnership, Professional Education and Practice department, and the Wellmobile team have provided me with the opportunity to lead and to oversee the transition of the Wellmobile Program to a new interprofessional primary care delivery and educational model aligned with the current health systems transformation.” Past UMSON Founders Week Award winners include Karen L. Soeken, PhD, Teacher of the Year 1998; Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Researcher of the Year 2003; Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ’93, RN, Public Servant of the Year 2006; Carol Romano, PhD ’93, MS ’85, BSN ’77, RN, BC, CNAA, FAAN, Illustrious Alumni 2006; Jane Lipscomb, PhD, RN, FAAN, Researcher of the Year 2008; Robin Newhouse, PhD ’00, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Researcher of the Year 2014; Karen Kauffman, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, Public Servant of the Year 2014; and Louise S. Jenkins, PhD ’85, MS ’81, RN, FAHA, ANEF, Teacher of the Year 2016. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Scholarship removes financial barriers to completing associate and bachelor’s degrees. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is covering the cost of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) courses for community college students participating in its Dual-Admission Partnership with seven community colleges statewide. Funds from a gift from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation make possible this opportunity for students to begin taking courses toward their BSN degree at no cost while completing their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). The funds will be available for the spring, summer, and fall 2018 semesters. Maryland is one of four states predicted to experience a shortage of 10,000 registered nurses or more by 2025. As a result, the Maryland Action Coalition (MDAC) is focusing on ensuring the state has a well-educated nursing workforce as it promotes several pathways to academic progression, one of which is the dual-admission articulation model that allows students to apply and be admitted to a BSN program while in an ADN program at a community college. “Financial aid is a key barrier for students. Unfortunately, students receiving financial aid for their associate degree program are unable to receive the financial aid required for the BSN courses,” said Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, assistant professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program. “These scholarship monies remove that barrier and facilitate seamless academic progression.” In response to MDAC’s plan, UMSON began its current Dual-Admission Partnership program in 2015. UMSON has agreements with Anne Arundel Community College, Carroll Community College, Cecil Community College, College of Southern Maryland, Frederick Community College, Montgomery College, and Prince George’s Community College. Through these partnerships, students enrolled in an ADN program receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at the community college. Students are then granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree in nursing, thereby saving them time and money while completing their BSN degree. To matriculate into UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from one of the community colleges and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. “Through the generosity of the Conways, we are able to provide financial assistance to students who wish to begin taking BSN courses as they complete their Associate Degree in Nursing,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, who serves as co-chair of MDAC. “This will significantly expand opportunities for students and support our efforts to increase the number of baccalaureate-educated nurses throughout Maryland.” An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the Dual-Admission Partnership is helping further the mission of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to advance comprehensive health care change. The campaign launched action coalitions, of which MDAC is one, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and uses as its framework the landmark 2010 Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The partnership program specifically addresses one of the eight goals set forth in the report: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Typically focused on raising breast cancer awareness, October has a new focus on women’s health as a researcher at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) seeks to study how vaginal health plays a key role in preventing disease that can lead to infertility and cancer. Read More

Awards given to new faculty members to offset educational and professional development costs. Baltimore, Md. – Nine University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have received $20,000 New Nurse Faculty Fellowship Awards, funded through the Nurse Support Program II (NSP II), for Fiscal Years 2018-20. The following faculty members received New Nurse Faculty Fellowship Awards: Ashley Brown, MS '16, RN, clinical instructorRichard Paul Conley Jr., MS, CRNA, clinical instructorMegan Doede, MS '13, RN, clinical instructorJoseph Haymore, DNP '16, RN, ACNP-BC, assistant professorMichelle Kirwan, MSN, RN, CRNP, clinical instructorKim Mooney-Doyle, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC, assistant professorVeronica Quattrini, DNP, MS '99, BSN '85, FNP-BC, assistant professorHannah Tolley, MS '16, RNC-OB, CNL, clinical instructorBarbara Wise, PhD '99, MS '82, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, assistant professor Maryland institutions with nursing degree programs are eligible to nominate newly hired, full-time, tenured or tenure-track, and clinical-track faculty members for the fellowship. The maximum amount of the three-year fellowship is $20,000. Recipients receive $10,000 during year one, and then $5,000 annually for the remaining two years. Funds can be used to supplement a fellow’s salary, to pay for graduate education expenses, and to cover professional development and associated costs. NSP II, funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, is a statewide initiative designed to address the nurse shortage in Maryland by increasing the number of nurses prepared to serve as nursing faculty. Since 2013, UMSON has increased enrollment by 27 percent in its traditional BSN and RN-to-BSN programs in response to the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, which calls for increasing the proportion of nurses with a bachelor’s degree to 80 percent by 2020. Currently, approximately 53 percent of nurses nationwide are educated at the baccalaureate level. The report further called for doubling the number of nurses with a doctoral degree and UMSON’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program has grown by 431 percent since 2013. Brown and Tolley, both from the Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice, are experts in simulation education; Conley, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health (OSAH), is an expert in nurse anesthesia; Doede, Department Family and Community Health (FCH), is an expert in hospital-built environments; and Haymore, OSAH, is an expert in implementation science and neurocritical care. Additionally, Kirwan, OSAH, is an expert in adult health/critical care; Mooney-Doyle, FCH, is an expert in palliative care and pediatric oncology; Quattrini, FCH, is an expert in emergency medicine; and Wise, FCH, is an expert in pediatrics. “We are truly grateful for the generous support provided to our faculty members through the Nurse Support Program II,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It is instrumental in helping us to recruit and retain highly talented and experienced individuals, who in turn make it possible for us to educate a nursing workforce that is well prepared to meet the increasingly complex health care needs of Maryland’s residents now and in the future.” ‌ # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Psychiatric nurse co-developed undergraduate addictions course. Baltimore, Md. – Charon Burda, DNP '16, MS '03, PMHCNS, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, assistant professor and director, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been elected director at large of the board of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA). Burda has been a member of IntNSA since 2010, and will serve a two-year term. She joins UMSON colleague Katherine Fornili, DNP ’16, MPH, RN, CARN, assistant professor, who is currently IntNSA’s president-elect. IntNSA is a professional specialty organization for nurses committed to the prevention, intervention, treatment, and management of addictive disorders, including alcohol and other drug dependencies, nicotine dependencies, eating disorders, dual and multiple diagnoses, and process addictions. Its goal is to help nurses provide comprehensive, high-quality nursing care for addicted patients and their families. As director at large, Burda is tasked with supporting the society’s mission by assisting with its leadership and general promotion. She is responsible for advising, governing, and overseeing IntNSA’s direction and policies. Burda will also regularly attend board meetings, participate in committee work, volunteer for assignments, and help evaluate management staff. Additionally, she will engage in financial management and participate in the board’s annual evaluation and planning efforts. “I am thrilled to be on the board and am excited to be part of the leadership that IntNSA represents locally, nationally, and globally. This role will inform my professional leadership goals as well as my teaching, mentorship, and service in academia,” Burda said. “I am deeply committed to upholding the values of IntNSA, and I will work hard to represent all of its members as well as those we serve.” Burda, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, has worked with patients with co-occurring diagnoses, involving psychiatric and addiction diagnoses, for more than 15 years. She also co-developed an undergraduate elective course, Addictions, Society, and the Role of the Nurse, and has been published in the Journal of Addictions Nursing. With Fornili, Burda is preparing students to communicate with patients in all decision-making and treatment goals, focusing on the known risks and realistic benefits of opioid therapy. “We congratulate Dr. Burda on her election to the IntNSA Board. Given her longstanding commitment as an educator and clinician to enhancing understanding of the issues surrounding addictive disorders, she is ideally suited to contribute her substantial expertise to the work of the society,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her service to the board comes at an important time as nurses strive to respond nationally and locally to the impact of addiction on our communities.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Denise Chop, MSW, LCSW-C, clinical instructor and coordinator for field education at the University of Maryland School of Social Work (SSW), was one of dozens of volunteers from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), assisting people experiencing homelessness or poverty at Project Homeless Connect. In its sixth year, Project Homeless Connect provides on-site, direct services such as medical and dental care as well as links to service providers such as legal professionals and recovery programs. Volunteers from all UMB schools provided services throughout the two-day event. Read more.

Nursing chair instrumental in providing Maryland with more highly educated nurses. Baltimore, Md. – Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ’93, RN, associate professor and chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s program at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), was awarded the Maryland Nurses Association’s (MNA) Outstanding Pathfinder Award at the association’s 114th Annual Convention last week. MNA’s Outstanding Pathfinder Award is presented to an MNA member who has demonstrated excellence and creative leadership that fosters the development of the nursing profession. Award recipients have pioneered in nursing innovation or have developed creative approaches to further nursing’s agenda. Wiseman has been instrumental in helping Maryland answer the call of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 2010 Future of Nursing report that nurses should achieve higher education through seamless academic progression. In collaboration with work groups from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Maryland Action Coalition, and the Nurse Support Program II, funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by Maryland Higher Education Commission, Wiseman spearheaded a review of the state’s RN articulation model, which creates a pathway to facilitate Maryland nurses’ ability to advance their education from community college-granted associate degree to baccalaureate nursing program. “I am extremely honored to receive this award. In order to realize the goal of 80 percent of nurses being prepared at the baccalaureate or higher level of education, we need to develop opportunities for seamless academic progression,” Wiseman said. “The revision of the Maryland Articulation Model is one important step in advancing creative and thoughtful approaches to help students move through various avenues in their pursuit of their baccalaureate degree.  Research has demonstrated time and time again that patient outcomes are better when baccalaureate prepared nurses are providing care.” Wiseman worked to revise the Maryland Education Articulation Plan, which provides guidelines for colleges and universities as they develop continuous academic progression programs for associate degree nurses. Through these efforts, Wiseman has been a trailblazer in aiming to achieve the IOM recommendation that 80 percent of the nurse workforce be educated at the baccalaureate level or higher by 2020. “We congratulate Dr. Wiseman on this significant honor and are thrilled that she has been recognized by the MNA for her efforts to create a streamlined process by which nurses can continue their education,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This award is a testament to her ability to create a sense of collegiality, collaboration, and shared purpose to bring institutions together to ensure opportunities for nurses throughout the state to advance their knowledge and skills.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Fellows have made significant contributions to nursing and health care.  Baltimore, Md.–  Four University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members, five alumnae, and a student were inducted into the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) as fellows during the academy’s annual meeting and conference held this past weekend in Washington, D.C. They join a community of 2,400 AAN Fellows nationwide. The following faculty were inducted into AAN’s 2017 class of fellows: Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS, ’03, CRNP, FAANP, associate professor and associate dean of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, assistant professor and director, Office of Global Health Charlotte Seckman, PhD ’08, RN-BC, associate professor  Shari Simone, DNP ’11, MS ’96, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, FCCM, FAANP, assistant professor Additionally, DNP student MiKaela Olsen, MS, APRN-CNS, AOCNS, and UMSON alumnae Ladan Eshkevari, PhD, BSN ’90, CRNA, LAc; Anita Hufft, PhD, BSN ’70, RN; Kathleen Hunter, PhD ’89, MS ’81, BSN ’76, RN-BC, CNE; Karen Swisher Kesten, DNP ’09, APRN, CCNS, CNE, CCRN-K; and Susan Renda, DNP,  MS ’89, ANP-BC, CDE, FNAP, are also among the 173 highly distinguished nurse leaders who compose this year’s cohort.              “We are extremely proud of our newly elected fellows, and congratulate our faculty, alumnae, and student on achieving this significant honor,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “As educators, clinicians, and researchers, they are making significant contributions within their chosen specialties and in their communities.” Criteria for selection as a fellow include evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health care and sponsorship by two current AAN Fellows. Applicants are reviewed by a panel 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. Fellows include nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research, including hospital and government administrators, college deans, and renowned scientific researchers. The 2017 class represents all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and 29 countries. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Award is given to MNA member who significantly contributed to the legislative arena. Baltimore, Md. – Patricia McLaine, DrPH, MPH, RN, assistant professor and director, Community/Public Health Nursing master’s specialty, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently received the 2017 Maryland Nurses Association’s (MNA) Rosalie Silber Abrams Legislative Award. McLaine was honored at the MNA’s 114th Annual Convention on Oct. 5. The award is given to an MNA member who has made a significant contribution on behalf of nursing in the legislative arena on the federal, state, or local levels. These activities can encompass a broad range of activities but must demonstrate a favorable reflection of nursing's interests, especially those of MNA. McLaine has been a member of MNA since 1992 and a public health nurse and advocate for those with health disparities for more than 20 years. The award recognizes McLaine’s efforts during the 2017 Maryland General Assembly session, when she tirelessly lobbied for the passage of SB422/HB 602, the Keep Antibiotics Effective Act of 2017, which restricts the regular use of antibiotics in livestock in an effort to curb the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. Maryland became the second state in the United States to pass such a law. McLaine has also worked to prevent childhood lead poisoning and to combat health disparities in Baltimore. As chair of the Maryland Lead Poisoning Prevention Commission, McLaine has maintained a steady focus on improving prevention strategies and evaluating data to reduce the risks of lead poisoning facing Maryland’s youngest residents and their families. Additionally, her work with the Reducing Asthma Disparities Program has helped shape Baltimore’s home visit program for children with asthma. “We are thrilled that Dr. McLaine’s work has been recognized by the Maryland Nurses Association through this prestigious award. She has been a staunch advocate for public health, working nationally and locally to prevent lead-based paint poisoning, mitigate asthma disparities, and ensure healthy environments for children and their families,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She is an outstanding leader and a role model for what expertise and persistence can accomplish on behalf of vulnerable populations.” McLaine also received an official citation from Maryland state Sen. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, BSN ’80, RN, District 44. The citation recognized McLaine for being honored with the Rosalie Silver Abrams Legislative Award for her work on the Keep Antibiotics Effective campaign and for her dedicated work on lead poison prevention. “I am deeply honored to be nominated by my colleagues from MNA to receive the Rosalie Silver Abrams Legislative Award. Health is so much more than health care, and our interests as nurses go well beyond our practice concerns as a profession,” McLaine said. “In a larger sense, this work is part of what we do every day as nurses to build a culture of health. The food we eat, the air we breathe, the neighborhoods and homes where we live, and the places where we work are all part of the environment where good health begins and is maintained. I am proud as a community/public health nurse to have the opportunity to support the health of the people of Maryland and our communities at this policy level.” In recognition of her efforts, McLaine also received a Baltimore City Health Equity Award last spring. Additionally, in fall 2016, McLaine and her faculty colleagues also received two American Association of Colleges of Nursing awards for their forward-thinking initiatives: the Innovation in Professional Nursing Education Award and the Innovations in Baccalaureate Population Health Award. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Study is important for monitoring patient response to painkillers. Baltimore, Md. – To provide the public with a better understanding of recent ground-breaking research on the nocebo effect, Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, has written a Perspectives article, “Nocebo Effects Can Make You Feel Pain,” published in the Science magazine issue released today. The nocebo effect occurs when a person has a negative expectation of a treatment outcome, leading to adverse effects that otherwise might not occur. Although patient response can often be influenced by expectations, Colloca and her research team have discovered that negative reactions to treatments go beyond psychological responses and actually involve neurobiological mechanisms. Building on Colloca’s work and other lab research, a recent study by Tinnermann and colleagues at the University of Hamburg, Germany, showed that when a patient expects to experience more pain, there is an activation of the spinal cord leading to actual increased pain perception. “If a patient believes the pain is getting worse, even while going through treatment, there may be an increase of the activation of pain facilitatory pathways involving the spinal cord. Tinnermann’s study is the first neurobiological demonstration that shows expectations can change brain nociception processing and make people feel more pain,” Colloca said. “This and other nocebo studies are important because they suggest that the nocebo phenomenon can change the patient response to pain sensations and painkillers.” Often, successfully overcoming an ailment can depend on past experiences with treatment. Additionally, information provided during the consent process and in the context of patient-clinician communication may trigger nocebo responses. Nocebo effects can contribute to perceived adverse effects and influence clinical outcomes and whether or not a patient adheres to prescribed medication. Nocebo effects should be avoided during clinical trials and practices, according to Colloca. Instead of concealing information related to side effects, a better approach is to minimize nocebo response by tailoring patient-clinician communication to balance truthful information about adverse events with expectations of outcome improvement, exploring patient treatment beliefs and negative therapeutic history, and paying attention to treatment descriptions. Read Colloca’s “Nocebo Effects Can Make You Feel Pain” article in Science. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md.– The University of Maryland School of Nursing has welcomed seven new faculty this fall. New to UMSON are: Malissa da Graca, MSN, RNC, FNP-C, clinical instructor, Department of Family and Community Health Megan Doede, MS, RN, clinical instructor, Department of Family and Community Health Elizabeth “Betsy” Johnson, MS '08, CPNP, clinical instructor, Department of Family and Community Health Michelle Kirwan, PhD, MSN, RN, CRNP, clinical instructor, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health Kim Mooney-Doyle, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC, assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health Veronica Quattrini, DNP, FNP-BC, assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health Barbara Wise, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health UMSON proudly extends a warm welcome to these faculty. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

School of Nursing students at the Universities at Shady Grove are enjoying major upgrades to the clinical simulation labs.  The new and improved labs are allowing more students to gain critically important experience. Read more.

‌Families caring for premature infants or children with pediatric cancer face many challenges. While they strive to help their children achieve optimal health outcomes, families from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods face additional social obstacles. This story is the same whether they reside in Brazil or in Baltimore. Reduced access to maternal education, unemployment, lack of transportation, food insecurity, poor access to health care, and inadequate and unstable housing all increase the risk of adverse outcomes for mothers and their children. However, access to critical social resources can help families overcome these challenges and significantly improve health and quality of life for ill children and their families. Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ’11, MS ’05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) assistant professor and director, Office of Global Health, and three students in UMSON’s Global Health Certificate program spent time in Rio de Janeiro this summer, attempting to better understand these issues. Students Trish Milburn, DNP, CRNP; Oriyomi Dawodo, MS; and Martine Kirwin, BSN, accompanied Ogbolu to Brazil to assess the Saúde Criança Association (ASC), which aims to improve quality of life for impoverished families by addressing the social determinants of health. Ogbolu and the students sought to strengthen the partnership between UMSON and ASC and to explore the possibility of designing a cultural adaptation study model for Baltimore. Saúde Criança, which means “Healthy Children,” is a 25-year-old program replicated across 31 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America; it empowers families to address the social determinants of health for children with chronic diseases. It also builds family capacity by developing a family action plan that leverages family strengths in five key areas: education; global citizenship (psychosocial and legal factors); health (food, medicine, and nutrition); housing; and income generation. “This program truly addresses the social needs of families with sick children,” Ogbolu says. “Many families of critically ill children in Baltimore and Brazil suffer from similar challenges and could benefit from a culturally adapted model that leverages the strengths of the family to address their social challenges while at the same time providing direct assistance with transportation, housing, education, professional training, and legal issues over an extended period of time. Empowering families for the long term and allowing them to have sustainable transformations that can strengthen their families and brighten their futures is the ultimate outcome.”   The certificate students spent 10 days learning how ASC helps families improve health outcomes by addressing social factors including breaking away from poverty through professionalism training to develop skills that will allow them to secure a job, legal support, and access to nutrition and medications. The students collected qualitative and quantitative data for a baseline analysis of the program, listened to first-hand accounts from families about how the program helped them overcome challenges, interacted with interprofessional health and public health staff, and used the data that was collected to make recommendations to improve Brazil’s program. “Since nursing’s inception with Florence Nightingale, who identified the correlation between living conditions and disease, nurses have been striving to provide comprehensive care to the infirmed through evaluating social, political, and economic factors that contribute to or affect health outcomes,” student Milburn says. “These factors not only impact health and care delivery in the United States but on a global level. We anticipated that health care providers in Rio de Janeiro face similar challenges as do practitioners in Baltimore. The successful comprehensive approach that Saúde Criança developed helped inform us on how to develop a similar program and modify it to fit our health care challenges.” The students will give presentations about their experiences in Brazil on Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 4-6 p.m. at the School of Nursing in Room 730.  

Two undergraduate students from the University of Maryland, College Park learned about lab research and presentation techniques this summer as they took part in the UM Scholars Program under the guidance of faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Read more.

Assistant professors earn departmental promotions. Baltimore, Md. – Assistant Professors Margaret Hammersla, PhD ’17, MS ’05, BSN ’95, CRNP, and Brenda Windemuth, DNP ’11, RN, CRNP, have been appointed to new leadership roles within the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. Hammersla, who most recently served as co-specialty director for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) specialty, has been named senior director of the School’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, and Windemuth takes over Hammersla’s old post as co-specialty director for the AGPCNP specialty. Hammersla has been an UMSON faculty member since 2007, serving as co-specialty director for the AGPCNP specialty since 2011. She is responsible for the daily operations of the DNP program at UMSON, including the development, implementation, and evaluation of the DNP program’s policies and procedures. “I am thrilled to take on the role of senior director of the DNP program. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team that delivers high-quality, advanced nursing education,” Hammersla said. “I look forward to working with our faculty as we educate doctorally prepared nursing leaders to improve patient care at the local, state, and national levels.” Hammersla also provides leadership in program coordination; curriculum planning; student recruitment, retention, and advisement; and general support to the DNP specialty directors. She earned a doctorate degree in nursing research, master’s degree in adult primary care, and Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree from UMSON. “Dr. Hammersla brings more than 10 years of experience teaching at UMSON and a wealth of leadership and operational experience in advanced practice education,” said Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS ’03, CRNP, FAANP, associate professor and associate dean for the DNP program, UMSON. “She was a key leader during the development of the BSN-DNP program and is vested in its success. I am confident that she will continue to lead and support the mission of the School.” Windemuth has been on the faculty since 2009. Her new duties include working with Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, to co-direct the development, implementation, and evaluation of DNP-level didactic and clinical courses related to the AGPCNP specialty. She also recruits, advises, teaches, and mentors students. “I’m very excited to take on this leadership role in the AGPCNP program, and to continue the success the program has had previously.  I look forward to helping guide our students to be successful in the program and our graduates contributing to our profession as doctorally prepared nurse practitioner leaders,” Windemuth said. “I want to continue moving our program forward in providing new educational experiences and learning opportunities to enrich our students’ education. Additionally, Windemuth is working with faculty members to foster professional development. She earned a DNP in nursing from UMSON, and a master’s degree in Family Nurse Practitioner and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree both from Wilmington University. “I am delighted that Dr. Windemuth will be taking on this new leadership role in the AGPCNP Specialty.  As an experienced educator and active clinician, she is committed to providing the best opportunities for student success,” said Kathleen Michael, PhD, RN, CRRN, associate professor and chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. “She is a valued colleague and trusted collaborator who approaches her work with dedication and vision.  Her leadership will guide the specialty toward a bright future indeed.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Learning opportunities in a lab are just part of the UM Scholars Program, which provides University of Maryland, College Park math, science, and engineering students with exposure to graduate-level research while they spend the summer with University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) physicians and University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty on mentored research projects that advance disease and diagnosis treatment. Read More

Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Kathryn Montgomery, PhD ‘97, RN, NEA-BC, associate professor, and chair, Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice, joined other health care leaders for a “Fireside Chat on Leadership Realities” on Aug. 1.  The panel discussed the importance of keeping a positive handle on work-life balance. Read more.

Mitchell has diligently advocated for rural clinical practice. Baltimore, Md. – Jacqueline C. Mitchell, MS, CRNA, director of clinical education, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was recently recognized by the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center (AHEC West) with the John M. Dennis Award for her leadership and advocacy for rural practice opportunities. Mitchell also received special recognition from several members of U.S. Congressfor her efforts. Recipients of the John M. Dennis Award are usually university representatives who have made noteworthy contributions to off-campus health professional education in Western Maryland through outstanding leadership, ingenuity, advocacy, and education. Mitchell has been a strong supporter of rural clinical education and nurse anesthetist students and a dedicated partner with AHEC West for clinical placements. Several UMSON nurse anesthetist graduates are now practicing in Western Maryland. “My heart is overwhelmed with joy because I am being formally recognized for my work. I am very thankful for this distinguished award and I am empowered to do even greater work for the students and the community,” Mitchell said. “What is great about this partnership with AHEC West is, although the majority of our students are from the Baltimore area, they are being afforded the opportunity to train in Western Maryland, allowing them to be exposed to different care settings and job opportunities.” The award is in honor of John M. Dennis, MD, who served as vice chancellor for health and academic affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore from 1977 to 1988. Dennis was a dedicated visionary whose support made it possible for the development of the AHEC Westprogram and center. “We congratulate Ms. Mitchell on her receipt of this prestigious award. Her exemplary efforts to create practice experiences for nurse anesthesia students in the rural counties of Western Maryland have introduced countless students to the opportunities and rewards of living and serving in the region,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Through her efforts, she is helping to ensure that we meet the needs of residents throughout Maryland.” AHEC seeks to improve the health status of Marylanders through community educational partnerships that foster a commitment to enhancing health care access in the rural and urban underserved areas of the state. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

 UMSON and UMMC have forged fruitful partnership during Rowen’s tenure.   ‌‌‌ Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) has endowed a scholarship in honor of UMSON alumna Lisa Rowen, DNSc, MS ’86, RN, CENP, FAAN. Rowen, chief nurse executive for UMMS and senior vice president for patient care services and chief nursing officer at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), is being honored for her leadership and dedication to nursing practice, education, and research. “When we were approached by Dean Kirschling and the School of Nursing about endowing a scholarship, we agreed it was a wonderful way to honor Dr. Rowen and to inspire future nurses pursuing their education at one of the country’s best nursing schools,” said Robert A. Chrencik, UMMS president and chief executive officer. “Across our health enterprise, we are fortunate to have nurses and nurse leaders who ensure that compassionate, high-quality patient care is at the core of all we do.” Beginning in fall 2018, the Dr. Lisa Rowen Endowed Scholarship will be available annually to UMSON undergraduate students who exhibit great leadership potential. Since Rowen became UMMC’s chief nurse officer in 2007, UMSON and the hospital have enjoyed an expanded partnership. Many UMSON nursing students complete their clinical rotations on UMMC units, and the medical center is also the largest employer of UMSON graduates. “We are thrilled that UMMS has chosen to honor Dr. Rowen through this scholarship,” said Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “In addition to her extraordinary 10 years of leadership at UMMC, she has played a central role in developing UMNursing, an innovative academic-practice partnership between the medical center and UMSON that promotes professional development for nurses through opportunities for education, research, and practice focused on optimizing health outcomes.” Additionally, Rowen is one of UMSON’s visionary pioneers. UMSON Visionary Pioneers are expert clinicians, educators, and leaders in Maryland, the nation, and around the world. They have made a significant impact on and contributions to the nursing profession based on their leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship. Rowen oversees nursing at the 12-hospital UMMS, setting the standard for nursing practice, standards of care, and issues related to and of importance to nurses. She has also played a major role in UMSON’s statewide Nurse Leadership Institute, which builds leadership capacity in nursing faculty and clinicians, thereby improving health care delivery throughout Maryland. “The endowed scholarship was such a wonderful surprise,” Rowen said. “I am humbled and delighted by the University of Maryland Medical System's recognition of both the nursing profession and me. I can't think of a more gratifying honor than one that supports the education of future nurses, especially for the students who are learning at UMSON, an institution that has played such an integral role in my education and professional career.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

  Program is tailored to aspiring and new deans. ‌‌‌ Baltimore, Md. – Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, assistant professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), is one of 40 fellows nationwide selected to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Leadership for Academic Nursing Program (LANP). Trocky is preparing to attend LANP’s five-day workshop to participate in intensive classes and exercises related to effective academic leadership, July 16-20 in Chaska, Minnesota. “We congratulate Dr. Trocky on being selected as a 2017 fellow,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This outstanding program will provide her with the opportunity to build upon her considerable strengths while acquiring new skills and fresh insights that will benefit her as she leads our baccalaureate nursing program. We are especially grateful to AACN for its ongoing efforts to develop the next generation of leaders in academic nursing.” LANP is a yearlong executive leadership fellowship program tailored specifically for new and aspiring deans and designed to prepare a more diverse, younger pool of leaders to shepherd nursing programs across the globe. This professional development experience encompasses assessment and evaluation of leadership skills, opportunities for strategic networking and case development, consultation for achieving long-term goals, and identification of key partnerships. Fellows are vetted through a competitive application process before selection. “I am honored to be accepted as a LANP Fellow and am appreciative of Dean Kirschling’s nomination. This program offers a tremendous opportunity to work with a faculty mentor to develop a customized professional development plan,” Trocky said. “I look forward to challenging my current perceptions about leadership, improving my ability to inspire others, and fine-tuning actions that add value while embracing excellence and inclusion within UMSON.” AACN serves the public interest by setting standards, providing resources, and developing the leadership capacity of member schools to advance nursing education, research, and practice. By 2020, as a driving force for quality health care, AACN will leverage member schools in meeting the demand for innovation and leadership in nursing education, research, and practice. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

  Director is responsible for developing and implementing program’s policies and procedures. Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently named Jana Goodwin, PhD, RN, CNE, assistant professor, director of UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. As a faculty member at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) since 2001, Goodwin participated in course assessment, expansion, and revision. In her new role, Goodwin will be responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the BSN program’s policies and procedures. She will also provide leadership in program coordination; curriculum planning; student recruitment, retention and advisement; and didactic instruction at both the Baltimore and USG locations. "It is exciting for me to step into this new role as the director,” Goodwin said. “I am looking forward to collaborating with the associate dean for the baccalaureate program, the Office of Student and Academic Services, the department chairs, and the faculty as we work as a team to deliver and provide a high-quality education to our students." Goodwin earned a PhD in nursing education from Villanova University and Master of Science in Nursing and BSN degrees from Temple University. “Dr. Goodwin has more than 16 years of experience teaching students and coordinating courses within the BSN program. She is also noted for her contributions to diversity, inclusivity, and cultural competence in academia,” said Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, assistant professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program, UMSON. “I am very excited about Dr. Goodwin serving as our BSN program director and am very confident that she will continue to advance the mission of the School.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

  Training program team recently won a NIOSH Bullard-Sherwood Research to Practice Intervention Award. Baltimore, Md. – Alison M. Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, BSN, RN, FAAN, professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), is a co-author on an online evidence-based training program that recently won the 2017Bullard-Sherwood Research to Practice Intervention Award from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). UMSON alumna and former faculty member Jeanne Geiger-Brown, PhD ’01, RN, FAAN, dean, School of Health, Stevenson University, also served as co-author. The team won the award for their NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours, which aims to minimize the health and safety risks associated with shift work, long work hours, and related workplace fatigue issues in nurses. Launched in 2015, the training program was developed, managed, and disseminated through the joint efforts of several key partners, including Trinkoff and UMSON colleagues, who conducted pilot testing at the School with the help of student volunteers; Claire Caruso, NIOSH; Masaya Takahashi, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Kawasaki, Japan; and Akinori Nakata, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan. The training program offers nursing continuing education credits through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Training and Continuing Education Online. Its goal is to suggest proven interventions to improve sleep and fatigue. The program summarizes research evidence regarding the origin of sleep problems and their relationship to shift work and health issues. After reviewing the summary, nurses are advised on how to overcome their sleep issues. According to the American Nurses Association, 74 percent of nurses who responded to a 2011 survey reported the acute or chronic effects of stress and being overworked as their top health and safety concern. Additionally, 55 percent of respondents reported working 41-60 hours per week, 56 percent reported their usual shift was 10 or more hours, and 53 percent reported working some mandatory or unplanned overtime each month. These demanding hours and work requirements often lead to difficulties with sleep. Several studies have found that when those who do shift work or work long hours do not get sufficient sleep, cognitive performance declines, increasing the risk for personal injury to the nurse and for patient care errors. “It is very rewarding to be recognized for this innovative nurse fatigue training,” Trinkoff said. “I’m happy to say that it has already helped thousands of nurses, and the training program will continue to support the nursing profession by empowering nurses to improve their sleep and fatigue problems.”  “We are thrilled to have this important training program recognized with a prestigious Bullard-Sherwood Award,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This work represents the very best type of collaborative effort, engaging faculty from the School of Nursing, numerous experts from other institutions, Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing, and staff from the American Nurses Association, among many others. The resulting product fills an important need for a free, comprehensive, online training program that helps to address the significant health and safety risks linked to shift work and long hours for nurses. We applaud the entire team for their contribution to improving nursing practice.” NIOSH Scientific Awards are presented annually to recognize significant accomplishments in research, partnership, research translation, career achievements, and service. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Fellows are charged with impacting national and global health. Baltimore, Md. – University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) assistant professors Catherine Haut, DNP ’10, MS ’93, RN, CRNP, PNP, and Roseann Velez, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, were recently inducted as 2017 Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) at its national conference in Philadelphia. UMSON alumna Pamela Bolton, MS '92, RN, ACNP, CCNS, PCCN, was also inducted. The association selects fellows based on outstanding contributions to clinical practice, research, education, or policy. “We are extremely proud of our newly elected fellows and congratulate them on this honor. It is gratifying that they have been selected by their peers for their contributions,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It is a testament to their sustained efforts to promote the role of nurse practitioners and advance the delivery of excellent health care.” Fellows are charged with supporting the vision and mission of AANP. The FAANP program impacts national and global health by engaging recognized nurse practitioner leaders, the fellows, who make outstanding contributions to clinical practice, research, education, or policy to enhance the association’s mission. “I’m extremely honored to have be chosen as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. It has been a privilege to work with many national nursing leaders, including those at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, over the years,” Haut said. “I am very excited to be joining this elite group of nurse practitioners and appreciate the mentorship and support I have received through the years from my colleagues.” Established in 2000, the FAANP program is dedicated to the global advancement of nurse practitioners and the delivery of high-quality health care. The program not only enhances the association’s mission, but also develops nurse practitioner leaders of the future while furthering the field. “Becoming a fellow is an honor and a privilege that would not have been possible without the support of my mentors,” Velez said. “I’ve been able to influence the nurse practitioner profession through publications, research, education, and policy, which has been integral to my growth as a professional. Membership in FAANP has enabled me to continue this work by mentoring students striving for FAANP membership and collaborating with colleagues to make an impact locally, nationally, and globally.” (left to right) Catherine Haut, DNP ’10, MS ’93, RN, CRNP, PNP, and Roseann Velez, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC Haut with her award at the induction ceremony. ‌Velez with her award at the induction ceremony. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

  ‌ McLaine has served as a tireless health advocate for Baltimore families. Baltimore, Md. – Pat McLaine, DrPH, MPH, RN, assistant professor and director, Community/Public Health Nursing master’s specialty, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently received a Baltimore City Health Equity Award at the Healthy Baltimore 2020 Community Conversation. Health Equity Award recipients have made a significant impact on the health and welfare of Baltimore residents through outstanding dedication, exceptional performance, and excellent service. McLaine, whose efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning prevention are nationally respected, was recognized for her tireless advocacy and her commitment and dedication to combating health disparities in Baltimore. She has been diligent in stressing the importance of healthy environments for families and for improving quality of life for the city’s children. “We are extremely proud that Dr. McLaine’s longstanding efforts on behalf of children in our community have been recognized by this Baltimore City Health Equity Award,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Dr. McLaine’s many contributions demonstrate the role that nurses in community/public health play in addressing fundamental issues of population health. She is an outstanding leader and role model for what expertise and persistence can accomplish on behalf of vulnerable populations. We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.” As chair of the Maryland Lead Poisoning Prevention Commission, McLaine has maintained a steady focus on improving prevention strategies and evaluating data to reduce the risks of lead poisoning facing Maryland’s youngest residents and their families.  Additionally, her work with the Reducing Asthma Disparities Program has helped shape Baltimore’s home visit program for children with asthma. “It is truly an honor to be nominated for the Baltimore City Health Equity Leadership Award and to have the opportunity to work in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department to protect young children from exposure to lead hazards in their homes and communities,” McLaine said.  “Although we have made progress, lead exposure continues to adversely impact the health and promise of too many young children in Baltimore. More needs to be done to address the disparities associated with poverty and deteriorated, vacant, abandoned housing.” Healthy Baltimore 2020 is a strategic blueprint that aims to significantly reduce health disparities in Baltimore. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

  ANCC accreditation is valid for four years. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been awarded Accreditation with Distinction as a Provider of Continuing Nursing Education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Accreditation Program. Accreditation with Distinction is the highest recognition that ANCC awards. ANCC’s Accreditation Program is a voluntary review process intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of continuing nursing education (CNE). It identifies organizations worldwide that demonstrate excellence in CNE, providing nurses with the knowledge and skills to help improve care and patient outcomes. Accredited organizations use evidenced-based ANCC criteria to plan, implement, and evaluate CNE activities. Applicants for accreditation must pass a systematic, comprehensive peer review and meet specific standards. “This award recognizes UMSON’s commitment to excellence and innovation in continuing the education of nurses,” said Patricia Franklin, PhD, RN, assistant professor and director, Professional Education, UMSON. “We adopted a culture of continuous evaluation to ensure that these learning activities are relevant and responsive to the rapidly changing realities of health care.” The School also received an Exemplary Finding by demonstrating how it measures change in the audience’s knowledge, skills, and/or practice as a result of participating in the educational activity. “We congratulate Dr. Franklin and her colleagues in professional education on this significant recognition,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It underscores the School of Nursing’s commitment to fostering lifelong learning for members of the nursing profession and serves as a reminder of the importance of the application of evidence-based criteria in all aspects of continuing nursing education.”  A subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, ANCC provides individuals and organizations throughout the nursing profession with the resources they need to achieve practice excellence. ANCC’s internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize health care organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments; and accredit providers and approvers of CNE. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

‌  Resnick celebrated for her mentorship and contributions to geriatrics. ‌ ‌Baltimore, Md.– Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), received the American Geriatrics Society’s (AGS) David H. Solomon Public Service Award, in recognition of her career accomplishments, at the Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio. The award celebrates the legacy of David H. Solomon, MD, AGSF, a renowned geriatrician committed to community service and advancing knowledge about the care of older individuals. Resnick, who is internationally renowned for her research on exercise and mobility for the elderly, has served as a mentor to countless students, faculty members, researchers, and clinicians who serve older adults. Throughout her career in higher education, which has spanned more than two decades, Resnick has focused on clinical work as a geriatric nurse practitioner. “We congratulate Dr. Resnick on this tremendous honor. Her work on treatment fidelity and function-focused care exemplifies how innovative and rigorously conducted research can change the delivery of care for countless individuals,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Dr. Resnick continues to shape our understanding of the dynamics of healthy aging and to translate her findings and insights into the clinical practice and policy arenas. Each one of us either is or will be a beneficiary of her work as a researcher and as an educator and a mentor to the next generation of geriatric care providers and scientists.” Resnick has also provided primary care to older adults across all long-term care settings and facilitated healthy aging in senior housing complexes. Additionally, Resnick serves as editor of Geriatric Nursing and Geriatric Nursing Review Syllabus and as associate editor of numerous other journals related to research on aging. “I am honored to be recognized by AGS for work that I love doing—developing and implementing evidenced approaches to providing optimal care for older adults and mentoring others to do likewise,” Resnick said. “I continue to be appreciative of the interdisciplinary approach AGS has established over the past decade in recognizing my peers and me for our roles within the interdisciplinary team.” AGS is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics health care professionals that has worked for 75 years to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of older people. It provides leadership to health care professionals, policymakers, and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.    # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Leaders in nursing education from throughout Maryland gathered at the University of Maryland School of Nursing on May 22 for the 2017 Maryland Action Coalition summit. The coalition strives to improve health care by implementing recommendations set forth in the landmark report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, released in 2010 by the Institute of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Read more.

  ‌‌School of Nursing graduates celebrated the successful completion of their degrees at Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena on Friday, May 19. The Class of 2017 included 202 Bachelor of Science, 97 Master of Science, 36 Doctor of Nursing Practice, and six PhD graduates. Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, delivered welcoming remarks, and Lisa Rowen, DNSc, MS ’86, RN, CENP, FAAN, chief nurse executive, University of Maryland Medical System, and senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, University of Maryland Medical Center, offered the Convocation address. In her remarks, Rowen spoke to the graduates about taking advantage of the many opportunities the nursing profession offers. “There are endless opportunities for joy in nursing,” Rowen said. “You have the opportunity to turn health care upside-down for the better, increasing access to care for the underserved and offering aggressive follow-up care to the most vulnerable. Opportunity lays at your feet; you are at a favorable juncture of circumstances. The question becomes: what will you do with this opportunity and how will you nurture it and grow it into fulfillment?” Additionally, Kirschling recognized the School of Nursing’s largest donors, William “Bill” and Joanne Conway, for their philanthropy; the couple has given more than $7 million to the School. The Conways were awarded the inaugural Dean’s Medal for Distinguished Service, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to advancing the School of Nursing and its mission. The 2017 Excellence in Teaching Awards were presented to Joan Davenport, PhD ’00, RN, assistant professor, for excellence in undergraduate education and Bridgitte Gourley, DNP ’08, CRNP, assistant professor, for excellence in graduate education. Jeffrey Johnson, PhD, professor emeritus, carried the School of Nursing mace, leading the processional and recessional. Later in the day, School of Nursing graduates joined graduates from all seven UMB schools for a Party in the Park at University Square. They enjoyed food, music, and games before participating in the UMB Commencement ceremony, also at Royal Farms Arena. View photos from the 2017 Convocation.  

The University of Maryland School of Nursing recognized the generosity of its largest donors amid the festivities of the school’s convocation ceremony with the awarding of an inaugural medal. William “Bill” and Joanne Conway were the inaugural recipients of the Dean’s Medal for Distinguished Service. Read more

Students will be granted special status allowing them to take UMSON courses. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Carroll Community College (CCC) in Westminster, Maryland, recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will ensure students’ seamless transition from CCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The program will be available to nursing students this fall. Through the agreement, students can apply and be admitted to UMSON’s BSN program while in CCC’s ADN program. Students enrolled in the program will receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at CCC and will be granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree, thereby saving them time and money in completing their BSN degree. “We are very excited to begin this partnership with the University of Maryland School of Nursing. As part of academic progression, the BSN degree is the next step for associate degree graduates. All nurses should continue their education to their fullest capacity,” said Nancy Perry, chief academic officer, CCC. “This agreement will encourage nursing students at Carroll Community College to move seamlessly toward their BSN degree.” An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the agreement will also help further the mission of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing Campaign for Action to advance comprehensive health care change. Specifically, it will address one of the eight goals set forth in the IOM report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. “Our partnership with Carroll Community College is exciting for the University of Maryland School of Nursing. It provides ADN students at Carroll Community College with a flexible option for obtaining their BSN degree as they work on prerequisites or take UMSON courses while still enrolled in their pre-licensure program,” said Linda Murray, DNP, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director of the RN-to-BSN program at UMSON. “This partnership provides students with the comfort of knowing that they have been provisionally admitted to a BSN program with anticipated matriculation upon graduation from the ADN program.” To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from CCC and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.    

Students will be granted special status, allowing them to take UMSON courses. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Frederick Community College (FCC) in Frederick, Maryland, recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will ensure students’ seamless transition from FCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The program will be available to nursing students this fall. Through the agreement, students can apply and be admitted to UMSON’s BSN program while in FCC’s ADN program. Students enrolled in the program will receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at FCC and will be granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree, thereby saving them time and money in completing their BSN degree. “Our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Nursing is an important opportunity for our nursing students,” said Vanessa Lovato, director, nursing education, FCC. “Students will be able to complete their ADN and BSN all while remaining in their home community, which will encourage degree completion, thereby increasing the number of baccalaureate nurses.” An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the agreement will also help further the mission of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing Campaign for Action to advance comprehensive health care change. Specifically, it will address one of the eight goals set forth in the IOM report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. “The University of Maryland School of Nursing is excited about the dual-admission partnership with Frederick Community College,” said Linda Murray, DNP, CPNP-Ped, assistant professor and director of the RN-to-BSN program at UMSON. “Through this partnership, UMSON is doing its part to adhere to recommendations set forth by IOM and is providing convenience and choice to FCC students.”  To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from FCC and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON faculty members were among the thousands of people who filled the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on April 22 to raise awareness about the importance of science. Read more.

  UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, (center) and Stephanie White, office manager, (left) recently accepted the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) 2017 Advocate of the Year Award, on behalf of the School, at AACN’s annual spring meeting in Washington, D.C. AACN Government Affairs Committee Chair Anita Hufft, PhD, BSN ’70, RN, dean and professor of nursing, Texas Woman’s University, (right) presented the award.     School recognized for extraordinary advocacy over the past year.   Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) recently received the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) 2017 Advocate of the Year Award. UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Stephanie White, office manager, recently accepted the award on the School’s behalf at AACN’s annual spring meeting in Washington, D.C. “It is a wonderful honor to receive the AACN Advocate of the Year award and to do so on behalf of all the individuals at the School of Nursing who so vigorously work on behalf of nursing education, research, and practice,” Kirschling said. “My special thanks go to Stephanie White, who has provided so much of the staff support for our efforts as the Maryland Grassroots Liaison for AACN. Collaboration and teamwork are critical for effective advocacy, and Stephanie has helped ensure that we keep the nursing community informed and galvanized.” The Advocate of the Year Award, established in 2010, recognizes a member dean and/or school whose extraordinary advocacy over the past year has advanced academic nursing priorities in the federal sphere. The top advocate is determined through a review of messages sent to Congress, responses to Action Alerts, and Capitol Hill visits. “UMSON’s advocacy is not limited to the federal level, so I’m also very grateful to the many individuals who work on important state-level issues. One of the great joys is also to see the participation of our students, whether during an AACN Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., or advocating in Annapolis,” Kirschling said. “It is heartening to see their leadership emerge and know that the next generation will continue to speak out on behalf of nursing and the individuals that we care for.” AACN serves as the catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. It has a long tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievements in support of the nursing profession. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), has been awarded more than $1.5M in two grants from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC) to expand access to health care to underserved residents and address health disparities in Prince George’s and Cecil counties. The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON)-managed Governor’s Wellmobile will provide its mobile nurse-managed interprofessional services. Read more

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Jay A. Perman, MD, along with the University of Maryland School of Medicine (SOM) Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, and the University of Maryland School of Nursing (SON) Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, announced today that an alumni couple, Richard Sherman, MD, SOM ’72, and Jane Sherman, PhD, SON ’85, have made a $1.5 million gift to the University to establish a health care innovation center to be located in the Health Sciences & Human Services Library. Read more.

  Top-10 School has seven master’s/DNP specialties/options ranked in the top 10. Baltimore, Md. — In the recently released 2018 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) remains ranked No. 1 for two of its master’s specialties/options and has an additional master’s specialty ranked in the top five. The School’s master’s-level Clinical Nurse Leader option and Nursing Informatics specialty are ranked No. 1, and the Health Services Leadership and Management master’s specialty rose to No. 3 in the Administration category. Its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is ranked 10th in the nation. UMSON continues to be ranked in the top 10 among all accredited graduate nursing programs, and it has eight master’s and DNP specialties, options, or programs ranked in the top 10, including Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesia. The Nurse Anesthesia specialty rankings were released in last year's edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools” and will be in effect until 2021. “It is gratifying to continue to be recognized within the top 10 overall nursing programs nationally and to have numerous specialty areas also singled out,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “These rankings are a testament to the commitment of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni to excellence in nursing education, research, and practice. The School of Nursing continues to play an important role in state and national efforts to increase the number of nurses with advanced degrees; we believe this is essential to ensuring that nurses are well prepared to meet the needs of our diverse communities within a rapidly changing health care environment.” The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on a variety of indicators, including student selectivity and program size, faculty resources, and research activity, and on survey data from deans of schools of nursing and that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. See all of UMSON's U.S. News rankings. # # #The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

‌  Lemaire has guided UMSON’s CNL option since its inception. Baltimore, Md. – Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD ’96, PMHCNS, BC, CNL, associate professor and associate dean for the Master of Science program, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was awarded honorable mention for the 2017 Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Educator Vanguard Award by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) at the recent 2017 CNL Summit in Atlanta. The CNL Educator Vanguard Award recognizes a CNL faculty member or program director for innovative and outstanding preparation of and advocacy for CNLs. The award also promotes the contributions of the CNL faculty member in transforming nursing education and encouraging innovation in both academia and practice. Lemaire has been instrumental in shaping UMSON’s CNL option, currently ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report, since its inception in 2005. She was the program’s co-director from 2005-08 and its director from 2011-15. From 2013-14, Lemaire oversaw the revision of the CNL curriculum. Additionally, she has secured $630,000 in scholarships for 63 CNL students through six rounds of funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s New Careers in Nursing Program during a seven-year period. In her current role, Lemaire oversees the CNL option, teaches CNL classes, and has an active practice as a nurse psychotherapist, providing treatment for patients diagnosed with cancer and psychiatric disorders.                                                  “Dr. Lemaire’s recognition is a tribute to her exceptional and pioneering work as an academic administrator establishing and overseeing the CNL program and as a faculty member developing an innovative pedagogy utilizing an array of teaching strategies and learning experiences,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It takes a special set of talents to forge new ground and create a highly successful program; it is easy to forget that the CNL option, in particular the idea of a second-degree, entry-level program, is just over a decade old. It is a testament to Dr. Lemaire that our graduates model the skills and abilities envisioned when the CNL concept was developed. They are creative problem-solvers, innovators, and change agents and are able to leverage their prior education, work, and life experiences to improve health care delivery.” A CNL is a master’s-educated nurse who is prepared to practice across the continuum of care within any health care setting. AACN developed the CNL role in collaboration with leaders from both health care practice and education to address the need to improve patient care outcomes. These master’s-prepared clinicians use evidence-based practice to focus on care coordination, risk assessment, quality improvement, and team leadership.   “For more than a decade, it has been a pleasure and my privilege to teach, mentor, and advocate for CNL students at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. CNL students bring enthusiasm, broad perspectives and valuable experiences to the learning environment and ultimately to the practice setting,” Lemaire said. “I believe they represent our greatest strength for transforming practice to reduce health disparities and ensure quality health care.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Students will be able to apply to both schools simultaneously and satisfy the requirements of both schools. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) in Arnold, Maryland, recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will ensure students’ seamless transition from AACC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The program will be available to nursing students this fall. Through the agreement, students will be simultaneously admitted into AACC’s ADN program and UMSON’s BSN program while satisfying the requirements of both schools. Students enrolled in the program will receive transfer credits from UMSON for completed coursework at AACC and will be granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree, thereby saving them time and money in completing their BSN degree. "The goal of the dual enrollment is to increase the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in the community," said Beth Batturs Martin, MS, RN, director, Nursing and Health Initiatives, AACC. "Through the partnership between the University of Maryland School of Nursing and Anne Arundel Community College, students can begin their journey early in their academic career, which encourages degree completion."An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the agreement will also help further the mission of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing Campaign for Action to advance comprehensive health care change. Specifically, it will address one of the eight goals set forth in the IOM report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. "This agreement is the result of a joint commitment between both schools to offer choices to students who wish to take RN-to-BSN courses while in their ADN program," said Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, assistant professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program. "The deans and directors within the state of Maryland understand the need to partner with many institutions, thus allowing students in their respective programs to select the best pathway to take to achieve their BSN."To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from AACC and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria.AACC is an award-winning, fully accredited public two-year institution serving approximately 50,000 students each year through classes offered at more than 100 sites in Anne Arundel County or online. It offers national and regional studies leading to a degree, certificate, industry credential, transfer to a four-year institution or career enhancement, personal enrichment and lifelong learning. For more information, visit www.aacc.edu. # # #The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

  Retired professor instrumental in UMSON’s participation in Clinton Health Initiative program. Baltimore, Md. – Jeffrey Johnson, PhD, has been appointed professor emeritus by University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Jay A. Perman, MD. Johnson served as a professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) for 12 years and was the founding director of its Office of Global Health while also holding joint appointments as a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. He retired in July 2015. An emeritus faculty member is a retired professor who has demonstrated an exemplary record of service to the School and to the profession. The faculty member must also express a desire to continue to support the School’s mission. While at UMSON, Johnson co-led the School’s first research center, the Center for Excellence in Work and Health, and developed the global health certificate, serving as its director. The 12-credit certificate, which is available to all UMB students, affords students the opportunity for field placement experiences in low-income countries such as Haiti, Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Liberia, and Rwanda. Additionally, in 2012, Johnson was instrumental in arranging UMSON’s participation in the Rwandan Ministry of Health’s Human Resources for Health program, which is supported by the Clinton Health Initiative. The groundbreaking, seven-year, interprofessional collaboration brings together expertise from dentistry, medical, nursing, and health management academic programs at 13 top U.S. institutions of higher learning to address Rwanda’s critical shortage of medical, nursing, and dental workers; poor quality of health professions education; poor infrastructure; and inadequate management of health facilities, according to the program’s website. “We are very fortunate that Dr. Johnson chose to finish his illustrious academic career at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. He is held in the highest esteem and remains greatly beloved by our faculty, staff, and students for his compassion, integrity, intellect, and commitment to mentorship,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Many students across the UMB campus have committed to working on issues surrounding social justice and improved working conditions because of Dr. Johnson’s impactful teaching style and guidance.” During his 30-year career, Johnson dedicated himself to the science of social epidemiology and theory. His research and scholarship contributed to national and international attempts to ameliorate the impact of adverse work and social environments on the health and well-being of populations in the United States, Europe, and the developing world. Johnson’s work has been documented in more than 75 publications, 65 abstracts, 54 national and international presentations, 16 technical reports and monographs, and five books.     Since his retirement, Johnson has continued to lecture at the University and elsewhere on community health, ethics, global health, and social justice and health. Additionally, Johnson continues to mentor UMB faculty and former students and to advocate for racial justice in the community. “At the University of Maryland School of Nursing, professor emeritus is not just a title. I know how much it means at the School, so I’m thrilled that I have been named professor emeritus,” Johnson said. “This honor isn’t just about the work that I did while at the School but is more of a testament to the work that was accomplished by the teams I was a part of. I enjoy being able to mentor and return to lecture on topics that I have expertise in. It keeps me engaged and abreast of changes within the field.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

  The scholarship is in honor of the UMSON alumna. ‌Baltimore, Md.– The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been awarded $25,000 from the Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare to endow the Darlene J. Curley Scholarship. This latest grant contributes to the $255,000 that UMSON has received from the center since 2012 to support UMSON nursing students financially. The Jonas Center’s gift honors Curley, MS ’82, BSN ’80, RN, FAAN, the center’s executive director. The scholarship will support doctoral students who have demonstrated a focus on and commitment to community/public health and/or leadership and administration; it will be awarded annually and will be based on academic achievement. “I am thankful to the Jonas Center and the University of Maryland School of Nursing for this wonderful honor,” Curley said. “Nursing leadership in practice, research, and policy is more important than ever to improve the health of our nation.” Curley, who was honored by UMSON as a visionary pioneer in 2015, has transformed the Jonas Center’s profile and impact from a local New York funder to a national thought leader and grant maker for all 50 states. She has forged partnerships with leading philanthropic, academic, and health care organizations, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, John A. Hartford Foundation, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Hearst Publishing Foundation, and the Veterans Administration. Curley has doubled grant dollars available through leveraged funds, matching funds, and innovative fundraising. She is currently leading an effort to support 1,000 doctoral students in all 50 states to address the critical shortage of nurses and nursing faculty. “We are thrilled to receive this generous gift from the Jonas Center honoring Darlene Curley,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Through its visionary philanthropy and the leadership of Ms. Curley, the Jonas Center is supporting the development of nurse leaders who will be well equipped to address the current and future challenges of our health care system. The Darlene J. Curley Scholarship will provide important additional resources for nurses pursuing doctoral degrees.” Established in 2006, the Jonas Center deploys philanthropy to advance the nursing profession through grants and programs designed to develop outstanding faculty, advance scholarship, and spark innovative practice.   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Recipients will receive a grant to assist with educational and professional expenses. ‌Baltimore, Md. – Three faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) have been awarded a Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant (NEDG) for Practice and Dissertation Research. Clinical instructors Ameera Chakravarthy, MS, BSN ’02, CRNP, interim specialty director, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist; Ernest ‌Opoku-Agyemang, MA, MS, RN; and Mary Pat Ulicny, MS ’11, MHA, RN, CNE, clinical simulation lab director for UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Universities at Shady Grove,  all received the maximum award amount of $30,000. This competitive grant program is designed to assist PhD and Doctor of Nursing Practice candidates by helping to cover costs associated with graduate education expenses; professional development; course release time; research-related administrative support; and project-related expenses for supplies, travel, and document creation. Its goals are to increase the number of doctorally prepared nursing faculty in Maryland, to strengthen faculty development for optimal capacity at schools of nursing, and to recruit and retain a diverse nursing faculty.  “We are extremely grateful for this support to faculty members pursuing doctoral degrees,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The NEDG program responds to the critical need to increase the number of faculty with advanced degrees and in turn ensures a highly educated nursing workforce for the future. We look forward to the continuing contributions of each award recipient to teaching and research at the School of Nursing.” NEDG is part of the Nurse Support Program II, a statewide initiative funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. It helps increase Maryland’s nursing capacity by supporting initiatives that advance the recommendations outlined in the Institute of Medicine’s report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. (left to right) Ameera Chakravarthy, MS, BSN ’02, CRNP; Ernest ‌Opoku-Agyemang, MA, MS, RN; and Mary Pat Ulicny, MS ’11, MHA, RN, CNE‌ # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

 Students will be able to apply to both schools simultaneously and satisfy the requirements of both schools. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Cecil College in North East, Maryland, recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will ensure students’ seamless transition from Cecil’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The program will be available to nursing students this fall. Through the agreement, students will be simultaneously admitted into Cecil’s ADN program and UMSON’s BSN program while satisfying the requirements of both schools. Students enrolled in the program will receive transfer credits for completed coursework and will be granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree. “Cecil College is committed to fostering seamless academic progression for associate degree nursing students,” said Laura Schenk, MS, RN, academic progression coordinator, Cecil College. “In an effort to enhance academic progression and promote lifelong learning, the dual-admission program offers students a head start on attaining a BSN and decreasing completion time. An effort to increase qualified nursing candidates, the agreement will also help further the mission of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing Campaign for Action to advance comprehensive health care change. Specifically, it will address one of the eight goals set forth in the IOM report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health: to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. “The faculty and staff at Cecil College have been exceptionally forward thinking on developing and implementing the dual-admission option,” said Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, assistant professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program. “This agreement allows us to honor a commitment we’ve made to our students who are pursuing a career in nursing.” To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN program, students must graduate with an ADN from Cecil and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON students will receive a $10,000 scholarship and other benefits. Baltimore, Md.– The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been approved to launch a Paul D. Coverdell Fellows expansion program through the Peace Corps. After serving in countries around the world, two Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) each year will be offered an opportunity to bring their expertise to communities and neighborhoods in Baltimore while pursuing their studies at UMSON with the help of a $10,000 scholarship that can be applied to tuition and fees. RPCVs often find careers in health care to be a natural fit, as many have been involved in the field while serving at their posts worldwide. They are known for being highly adept at integrating international and global perspectives into all they do and have learned to work collaboratively across cultures, communities, and countries. This expertise aligns with the increasingly global and cross-cultural focus of nursing and will afford Coverdell Fellows a wide variety of future career options. “This program will bring more students with global, community-based experience to the School of Nursing and into the profession of nursing, which will expose Baltimore communities to a worldwide view,” said UMSON’s Coverdell Fellows Program coordinator Lori Edwards, DrPH, MPH, BSN ’80, RN, PHCNS-BC, assistant professor. “It will enhance our shared programs with the University of Maryland School of Social Work, which has had an exemplary Coverdell Program for many years. This interprofessional collaboration will be of great value to incoming Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and will strengthen both programs.” At UMSON, fellows can earn either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or a Clinical Nurse Leader master’s degree. As part of their studies, they will enroll in elective courses, offered through the University of Maryland, Baltimore Graduate School, focused on service learning and population health in Baltimore and will have opportunities to become involved in and serve communities during clinical experiences throughout the metropolitan area. In addition to receiving the scholarship, fellows selected for the program can take advantage of specialized career mentoring from Edwards and from other UMSON faculty who have served in the Peace Corps, as well as networking opportunities with fellows from the School of Social Work. Since the Coverdell Fellows program’s inception in 1985 at the Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City, more than 5,000 RPCVs have participated. The program now includes more than 90 university partners across the country. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

A gift of $2 million from Bill and Joanne Conway, through their Bedford Falls Foundation, to the University of Maryland School of Nursing  (UMSON) will be used to provide scholarships to students in advanced degree programs. Read More

UMSON gerontology chair has been in the field nearly 40 years. ‌Baltimore, Md. – Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently began a one-year term as president of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). Resnick, who served as president-elect in 2016, has been a member of GSA since 1995.GSA officers are responsible for overseeing the governance and strategic planning of the organization while representing the society’s four membership sections and its Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization. Resnick has previously served as GSA’s health section chair and was on the finance and publication committees. “Dr. Resnick's outstanding accomplishments as a researcher and clinician dedicated to ensuring the best possible quality of life for older individuals speak volumes. As a highly regarded scholar and mentor, she has contributed significantly to how we think about the aging process,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her deep commitment to working across disciplines to improve the science and practice of care for the elderly makes her ideally suited for the role of president of the Gerontological Society of America. We congratulate her on this singular honor and know that the society, and all of us, will benefit from her creative and dynamic leadership, her energy and drive, and her dedication to improving care for older adults.”Founded in 1945, GSA is a multidisciplinary organization devoted to research and education in all aspects of gerontology, which include medical, biological, psychological, and social. It is the driving force behind the advancement of gerontology, both domestically and internationally. “I am greatly honored to have been selected to serve as GSA’s president for 2017. Aging is of interest to all, given the increasing number of older adults nationally and internationally, and we are constantly developing innovative and exciting ways to optimize the aging experience in the world around us,” Resnick said. “It’s exciting to guide GSA in carrying out its ultimate mission of advancing the study of aging and disseminating information among scientists, decision-makers, and the general public.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Allan will lend expertise in community health, primary health care, and NP education and practice to board. Baltimore, Md. – Dean Emerita Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been selected to the American Health Council (AHC) Education Board, an advisory council comprising nationally respected educators and health care industry leaders. Active in health care for more than 50 years, Allan is an expert in community health, primary health care and research (regarding women and weight management), and nurse practitioner education and practice. As a member of the board, she will help promote ideas that contribute to the health care industry’s growth and that foster relationship-building though networking.  “I am honored to be appointed to the education board of the American Health Care Council. Improving the health of populations through the education of future health professionals requires innovative interprofessional approaches,” Allan said. “I hope to utilize my clinical and academic nursing knowledge and skills to work with other health care professionals to improve the well-being of the U.S. and global populations.” Allan, who served as UMSON’s dean from 2002-12, made a major impact on the School during her decade-long tenure. The School’s U.S. News & World Report ranking reached an all-time high of seventh, and UMSON achieved a top-20 ranking among schools of nursing receiving federal research funding. Enrollment rose, making UMSON one of the nation’s largest nursing schools. During her career, Allan has held leadership positions including vice chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, board member and treasurer of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and president of the Southern Nursing Research Society and of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty. She also has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maryland Nurses Association, the Researcher of the Year Award from the Southern Nursing Research Society, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, and the Award for Care of People with AIDS/HIV Infection from the U.S. Secretary of Health, and she is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. AHC is composed of leaders across the health care industry who share their ideas, challenges, and experiences with fellow members to improve our nation’s health care system. By connecting participants in patient treatment, educators, researchers, and those in the public and private sectors, AHC works to advance the health care industry. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Friedmann and team will use data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.  Baltimore, Md. – Erika Friedmann, PhD, professor and associate dean of research, and Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), were recently awarded a three-year, $340,000 grant from WALTHAM and Mars Petcare to examine the role of pet ownership in maintaining both physical and mental function in healthy older adults. Through the study, the team will seek to determine if pet ownership is associated with improved maintenance of physical and psychological health-related outcomes in older adults compared to older non-pet owners.   Friedmann, who will serve as principal investigator, is also teaming with National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program colleagues Eleanor Simonsick, PhD, epidemiologist, Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), and Stephanie Studenski, MD, MPH, chief, Longitudinal Studies Section Translational Gerontology and director, BLSA, and with Nancy R. Gee, PhD, professor, SUNY Fredonia, and human-animal interaction research manager, WALTHAM. The researchers will look at extensive longitudinal data collected over the past decade from BLSA and at pet ownership statistics to determine if there is a link between multiple measures of pet ownership and changes in healthy aging over time.  “I am very grateful for the chance to collaborate with BLSA; it is an exceptional opportunity. BLSA provides rich data that we can leverage to address our questions and we can do so in a very cost-effective manner,” Friedmann said.  “This grant is instrumental in moving my research and the field of human-animal interaction forward to evaluate the contribution of pets to healthy aging.”   WALTHAM is a leading scientific authority in pet nutrition and well-being and has been advancing the frontiers of research into nutrition and the health of pets for more than 50 years. It contributes to understanding the relationships between pets and their owners and has published studies examining the benefits of human-animal interaction. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Fellow is highest status within GSA. Baltimore, Md. – Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD ’03, RN, FAAN, professor and specialty director, Nursing Informatics, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was recently named a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) during its annual scientific meeting in New Orleans. Nahm was amongst 94 fellows inducted into this year’s class. The status of fellow, the highest class of membership within the society, is an acknowledgment of Nahm’s continued outstanding work in gerontology. Inductees have contributed to research, teaching, administration, public service, practice, and notable participation within the organization. Fellows are chosen from each of the GSA’s four membership sections: behavioral and social sciences, biological sciences, health sciences, and social research policy and practice. Her membership is in the health sciences section. Nahm, who has had several studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, specializes in developing and utilizing health IT programs to deliver more efficient, safer care to patients. Advancements in health IT have revolutionized health care by allowing patients to access their own electronic health records and offering enabling health tools; however, some patients, particularly older ones, have had problems transitioning to this technology. Nahm’s research examines the challenges of acclimating older adults to technological innovations that allow them to participate actively in their care. “We congratulate Dr. Nahm on her selection as a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.  It is a tremendous honor and speaks to her contributions to research, education, and practice,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “Dr. Nahm’s ongoing application of nursing informatics to developing interventions that promote and manage the health of older adults is an outstanding example of collaborative and interdisciplinary work.  It holds great promise for improving the lives of older adults, their families, and our communities.”  Founded in 1945, the GSA is a multidisciplinary organization devoted to research and education in all aspects of gerontology, including medical, biological, psychological and social, and is the driving force behind the advancement of gerontology both domestically and internationally. “I am honored to be inducted as a fellow of the GSA, an organization that is devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging,” Nahm said.  “I have learned so much from many excellent GSA members, and I hope that I can do the same for others.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON’s collaboration with a local community outreach center and its baccalaureate curriculum recognized. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that its Community and Public Health (CPH) master’s specialty, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, received two American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) awards for its forward-thinking initiatives: the Innovation in Professional Nursing Education Award in the Academic Health Center category and the Innovations in Baccalaureate Population Health Award. This is the second time that UMSON has received the Innovation in Professional Nursing Education Award in the Academic Health Center category, and it is the only school to have received the award more than once. AACN’s Innovation in Professional Nursing Education Award recognizes the work of member schools that re-envision traditional models for nursing education and that lead programmatic change. Over the past six years, UMSON has radically changed its model for working with Paul’s Place, a community outreach center in Southwest Baltimore. Under a formal service agreement, Paul’s Place pays for 20 percent of one doctorally prepared CPH faculty member’s time to serve as director of health and wellness for the center, ensuring there is a director to coordinate and supervise community health and wellness services year round. Through this model, Paul’s Place has been able to double the services it provides, including a community-based, nurse-led clinic and faculty practice and a full array of interdisciplinary services through collaboration with the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s five other professional schools. The Innovations in Baccalaureate Population Health Award was established to recognize a curriculum that demonstrates an innovative strategy that enhances population health in a baccalaureate nursing program. Beginning in 2014, UMSON significantly revised its baccalaureate curriculum to strategically integrate CPH/population health during the four-semester program. UMSON students are now introduced to population health in their first term, and they build upon this knowledge throughout the course of study from classroom, learning labs, and community field placements in the Baltimore and greater Washington, D.C., metro area. In addition to integrating population health early in its undergraduate curriculum, UMSON has implemented four other innovations that set it apart in its commitment to and embrace of population health in baccalaureate nursing education, including: 1) an emphasis on home visit simulation and principles of asthma management; 2) hands-on, interprofessional education and outreach to ensure basic competencies to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the area; 3) a focus on understanding social justice and social determinants; and 4) exposure to a broad array of community-based clinical experiences. The School’s extensive network of community field placements ensures 200 students engage in more than 75 individual and group preceptor experiences every semester. In a single semester, UMSON students have close to 1,800 encounters with community members through a variety of venues. “We are thrilled and deeply honored to receive these two prestigious awards. Recognition by AACN is a wonderful testament to our community/public health faculty and the innovative curriculum and experiential learning opportunities that they create,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are especially grateful to Paul’s Place; through our longstanding partnership, we have developed new approaches to addressing the health needs of significantly underserved members of our community. Collectively, our community partners are an important part of what makes it possible for us to educate well prepared nurses to serve a diverse population in a wide variety of settings. It is particularly meaningful to have our work recognized during the 50th anniversary of the School of Nursing’s Community/Public Health master’s specialty as we look ahead to the future innovations that will keep us on the cutting edge of nursing education.” AACN serves as the catalyst for excellence and innovation in nursing education, research, and practice. It has a long tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievements in support of the nursing profession.  # # #   The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

 Board informs membership of legislation at state and federal level affecting nursing education. Baltimore, Md.  – Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, assistant professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program, has been elected to the 2017 Governing Board of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing. Trocky prepared and presented the Maryland Legislative Report for 2015-16 at the council’s annual meeting recently held in Atlanta. The governing board informs its member states of legislation at the state and federal levels that may affect nursing education.  Additionally, it encourages nonpartisan advocacy in support of nursing education, and provides necessary information to help legislators and other officials make informed decisions regarding policies affecting nursing education. “We congratulate Dr. Trocky on the honor of her election to the council’s governing board and are pleased that she will be a part of this important collaboration among nursing programs throughout the southern region. Promoting excellence in nursing education, addressing the shortage of nurse educators, and ensuring appropriate training of the next generation of nurses are critical tasks,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I am confident that Dr. Trocky will contribute to this work and that the School of Nursing will also benefit from the efforts of the council.” SREB is a nonprofit organization representing more than 65 academic nursing programs in the Southern region of the United States, including Maryland and Washington, D.C. The council’s mission is to strengthen college-based nursing programs at all levels—associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral—preparing registered nurses for entry-level and advanced practice positions. “I am proud to serve as a board member of the SREB Council on Collegiate Education in Nursing and to represent the state of Maryland,” Trocky said. “Nurse educators play a very important role in advocating for patients, students, and nursing practice when involved in the legislative process. For all of the schools located within the Southern region, it is vitally important to stay abreast of the pending legislation and bills that are most relevant to nursing practice.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

University System of Maryland Chancellor Robert L. Caret, PhD, reaffirms the system's commitment to undocumented students on all campuses. It is the intent of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to act in accordance with his guidance. Read his letter.

Jenkins is just second UMSON faculty member to be named Teacher of the Year in history of the award.  Baltimore, Md. – Louise S. Jenkins, PhD ’85, MS ’81, RN, FAHA, ANEF, professor and director of the Institute for Educators, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently was named the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) 2016 Teacher of the Year during its annual Founders Week. Jenkins is the seventh UMSON faculty member to receive a Founders Week Award since the celebration was initiated in 1996. In 2004, Jenkins co-founded the Institute for Educators to address the urgent statewide nursing faculty shortage. Under Jenkins’ leadership, the institute has contributed to a 63 percent increase in the number of new Maryland nursing school graduates sitting for boards and becoming licensed in the state; its effectiveness has been recognized through the awarding of multiple grants, totaling nearly $7 million, over the past 12 years. Jenkins also co-developed and leads the Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions Certificate program, which has equipped nearly 800 graduate and undergraduate students with the essential skills for teaching current and future nurses. “Dr. Jenkins occupies a unique niche,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She is a highly accomplished and much lauded teacher, advisor, and mentor to individual students. She is a visionary and innovative educational leader who perceives how the art and science of teaching must evolve and is then able to move the enterprise.” Each year, UMB celebrates the achievements and successes of its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and philanthropic support and pays tribute to its 200-plus-year history. As part of the celebration, awards are presented in four categories: Researcher of the Year, Public Servant of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year.  Nominees for the Teacher of the Year award must have contributed to course development; created innovative teaching methods; developed student-initiated applications, evaluations, and student endorsements; and received past national and/or local teaching awards. “There were so many emotions when [UMB President] Dr. [Jay] Perman told me I had been selected as Teacher of the Year,” Jenkins said. “I was surprised, thrilled, and very humbled by the honor of this award from my colleagues.” Past UMSON Founders Week Award winners include Karen L. Soeken, PhD, Teacher of the Year 1998; Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Researcher of the Year 2003; Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, Public Servant of the Year 2006; Jane Lipscomb, PhD, RN, FAAN, Researcher of the Year 2008; Robin Newhouse, PhD ’00, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Researcher of the Year 2014; and Karen Kauffman, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, Public Servant of the Year 2014. Read more and watch the official Founders Week video about Jenkins. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Chakravarthy directs development, implementation, and evaluation of graduate-level courses for specialty. Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently named Ameera Chakravarthy, MS, BSN ’02, CRNP, clinical instructor, the interim specialty director for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program’s Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Nurse Specialist specialty in the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. Chakravarthy has been on the faculty since 2011.  In her new role, Chakravarthy directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of graduate-level didactic and clinical courses related to the specialty; recruits, advises, teaches, and mentors students; and fosters faculty professional development. Chakravarthy also collaborates with colleagues in nursing and from other disciplines; makes scholarly contributions to nursing science; and maintains a faculty practice in the University of Maryland Medical System’s surgical intermediate care unit. “Ameera brings a wealth of solid advanced practice experience to the role of specialty director, including familiarity and engagement with the courses and clinical opportunities for student learning,” said Kathleen Michael, PhD, RN, CRRN, associate professor and chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. “Her strong communication, teamwork, and planning skills will be especially valuable in overseeing the specialty and assuring the success of the team.” Chakravarthy, who is pursuing a PhD at UMSON, earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UMSON. “I am honored to serve as interim specialty director for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Nurse Specialist Doctor of Nursing Practice specialty,” Chakravarthy said. “I plan to continue supporting our faculty team as they employ innovative teaching strategies to develop the next generation of practice experts. I hope to be instrumental in the rigorous academic and outstanding clinical work of our students, faculty, and graduates while simultaneously managing the care of acutely ill patients locally, nationally, and abroad.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top 10 nursing schools in the United States. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Fellows have made significant contributions to nursing and health care.  Baltimore, Md.  – Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members, eight alumnae, and a former adjunct assistant professor were honored at the American Academy of Nursing’s (AAN) annual meeting and conference recently held in Washington, D.C. Associate Professors Elizabeth Galik, PhD ’07, CRNP, FAANP, and Joseph E. Pellegrini, PhD, CRNA, director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia specialty, were inducted into AAN’s 2016 class of fellows, and alumna Ann Wolbert Burgess, DNSc, MS '59, RNCS, FAAN, professor, Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, was designated a Living Legend, an AAN Fellow of at least 15 years who has demonstrated extraordinary, sustained contributions to nursing and to health care. “The induction of Drs. Galik and Pellegrini speaks to their dedication to nursing education, research, and practice, and to their many scholarly achievements. We are extremely proud of both of them and grateful for their ongoing contributions to the School of Nursing,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess’ recognition as an AAN ‘Living Legend’ is a wonderful acknowledgment of her profound and lasting contributions to understanding and addressing the impact of sexual violence and trauma at the individual and societal levels. We salute her on achieving the highest of all AAN honors.” Additionally, UMSON alumnae Murielle Beene, DNP, MBA, MPH, MS ’01, RN-BC, PMP;  Kristy Duffey, MS ’98, APRN, GNP-BC;  Patricia Sengstack, DNP, MS ’88, BSN ’82, RN-BC;  JoAnne Silbert-Flagg, DNP, MS ’83, BSN ’79, CRNP; Laura A. Taylor, PhD, MS ’90, BSN ’86, RN, ANEF; Ting-Ting Lee, PhD ’98, MS ’93, RN; and Cara J. Krulewitch, PhD ’92, CNM, FACNM; and former Adjunct Assistant Professor Sherry B. Perkins, PhD, RN, were also among 164 highly distinguished nurse leaders who composed this year’s cohort. “We are thrilled that eight alumnae were recognized, and we congratulate each one on achieving this significant national honor. It is a testament to the contributions that each one is making within their chosen specialties and in their communities,” Kirschling said. “We also congratulate Dr. Sherry Perkins, our esteemed colleague, on this well-deserved honor. She has contributed so much to nursing practice and health care delivery regionally and nationally through her executive leadership and operational roles.” Criteria for selection as a fellow include evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health care and sponsorship by two current AAN Fellows. Applicants are reviewed by a panel of elected and appointed fellows. Galik has been internationally recognized for her work in improving care practices for older adults with dementia. She has served as principal investigator or co-investigator for 11 research studies and has been an advisor to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Additionally, Galik has been named a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Scholar. Pellegrini has made significant contributions to research, education, and leadership in the nurse anesthesia field and has been published in 68 peer-reviewed journals. He also serves as the sole representative for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists on the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Patient Safety Council. Burgess has been internationally lauded as a pioneer in the assessment and treatment of victims of sexual violence and trauma. Her transformative work as co-founder of one of the first hospital-based crisis counseling programs introduced Rape Trauma Syndrome into scientific literature. She has worked with the FBI to study links between child abuse, juvenile delinquency, and subsequent perpetration.  AAN consists of more than 2,400 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research, including hospital and government administrators, college deans, and renowned scientific researchers. The 2016 class represents all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and 28 countries.   # # #   The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Awards given to new faculty members to offset educational and professional development costs.  Baltimore, Md. – Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have received New Nurse Faculty Fellowship Awards, grants funded through the Nurse Support Program II (NSP II) for FY ’17-’19. Assistant Professors Kathleen McElroy, PhD, MS ’10, BSN ’97, and Ronald Piscotty, PhD, RN-BC, both received awards.  Maryland institutions with nursing degree programs are eligible to nominate newly hired, full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty members and clinical-track faculty for the fellowship. The maximum amount of the three-year fellowship is $20,000. Recipients receive $10,000 during year one, and then $5,000 annually for the remaining two years. Funds can be used to supplement a fellow’s salary, to pay for graduate education expenses, and to cover professional development and associated dues.  NSP II is a statewide initiative designed to address the nurse shortage in Maryland by increasing the number of nurses prepared to serve as nursing faculty. Since 2013, UMSON has increased enrollment by 26 percent in its traditional BSN and RN-to-BSN programs in response to the Institute of Medicine’s report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, which calls for increasing the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. Currently, approximately 51 percent of nurses are educated at the baccalaureate level.  McElroy teaches required didactic and clinical community health courses to BSN and RN-to-BSN students. Her research and clinical practice focuses on pregnant/postpartum women and infants impacted by clinical and environmental factors. Piscotty, whose area of expertise is information systems and technology and its impact on clinical practice, teaches core courses to BSN and RN-to-BSN students. In spring 2016, Piscotty, who also teaches informatics courses at the graduate level, taught approximately 200 undergraduate students.  “We are truly grateful for the generous support provided to our faculty members through the Nurse Support Program II,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This initiative is instrumental in helping us recruit and retain highly talented and dedicated individuals, who in turn ensure that we are educating a nursing workforce fully prepared to meet the increasingly complex health care needs of Maryland’s residents now and in the future. Drs. McElroy and Piscotty are already making significant contributions to the School of Nursing through their teaching and research, and we congratulate them on their selection as fellows.”   # # #   The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Retired professor remains instrumental in SINI. Baltimore, Md. – Judy G. Ozbolt, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been has been appointed professor emerita by University of Maryland, Baltimore President Jay A. Perman, MD. Ozbolt served as professor and specialty director of nursing informatics at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) beginning in 2006 and retired in 2010.  An emeritus faculty member is a retired professor who has demonstrated an exemplary record of service to the School and to the profession. Additionally, the faculty member must express a desire to continue to support the mission of the School. While at UMSON, Ozbolt, with the help of a Health Resources and Services Administration grant, tripled student enrollment in the Nursing Informatics program while maintaining the diversity of the student body. Ozbolt has also chaired the program committee for the School’s renowned Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics (SINI) Conference and has continued to serve in leadership roles with the SINI program committee since her retirement.  “Dr. Ozbolt’s contributions to the field of nursing informatics over a 46-year career are unparalleled. She joined the School of Nursing having already had a celebrated career, and we are truly grateful for her dedication, service, and ongoing support of SINI,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her appointment as professor emerita is a testament to her pioneering work, unflagging leadership in the field, and commitment to developing the next generation of nurse leaders in informatics. It also reflects the deep affection and respect of her colleagues.”  During her career, Ozbolt held several significant national and international academic, clinical, and administrative appointments. In 1972, Ozbolt began a research program in nursing informatics during the early days of the field. She also served as a scholar at the Institute of Medicine, where she led planning initiatives in biomedical and health informatics across all components of the National Academy of Sciences for five years.  Since her retirement, Ozbolt continues to contribute to the health informatics field. She serves on federal committees and is involved in policy work, continuing to share her knowledge and experience with the UMSON nursing informatics community.  “During my time at UMSON, and as chair of the planning committee for SINI, students, faculty, and staff were very gracious to me. They showed in many ways how much they appreciated my efforts,” Ozbolt said. “I’m filled with gratitude that after a thorough review by the Promotion and Tenure Committee, the highest levels of administration, and faculty, I have been accorded emeritus status. It is validation of a job well done and a career well spent.”   # # #    The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

‌The award recognizes UMSON faculty member as a highly-skilled, innovative, and creative teacher. Baltimore, Md. –Susan L. Bindon, DNP '11, RN-BC, CNE, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Award. The award recognizes excellence and innovation in the teaching of nursing at AACN member schools by faculty with more than five years of teaching experience. Bindon has taught for 25 years, and has been on UMSON’s faculty for five. “I’m tremendously honored to receive this year’s AACN Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Award. Helping others to become good teachers is both a professional privilege and a personal joy,” Bindon said. “Good teaching requires thought, intentional practice, and openness to new ideas, but it also entails listening carefully to understand the learner’s needs, expectations, and readiness to learn, which creates fertile ground for innovation. Effective teaching attracts great students who will become tomorrow’s excellent nurses.” Awardees must demonstrate significant innovation in teaching/learning approaches to promote learner outcomes; lead the promotion and implementation of innovative teaching/learning approaches in nursing education; and act as a role model for creating and sustaining a culture in nursing education that integrates theory and practice. Additionally, the award winner is required to have mentored faculty in evidence-based teaching/learning approaches and shared innovation outside of their home institution. Bindon is known for working with peers to address instructional challenges and helping them determine the best teaching strategies for their particular classroom, online, or clinical setting. She encourages her students and advisees to use her large "thinking-wall" strategy through which they sketch their ideas and projects as they think aloud. She also connects with students in her online courses via personalized video feedback during  the semester. Additionally, Bindon has helped develop and deliver an adjunct clinical faculty workshop for new clinical instructors that has been offered four times in the past year, reaching approximately 70 clinical faculty throughout Maryland. The course includes interactive exercises and utilizes standardized students who model the concept of standardized patients to simulate clinical encounters. “We are enormously proud of Dr. Bindon. She has distinguished herself as a highly skilled, innovative,  creative teacher. As a mentor to her students, she models innovative techniques that engage them in their own learning, while expanding their sense of what teaching looks like,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “Dr. Bindon’s enthusiasm for the teaching enterprise, and her willingness to extend herself to assist veteran and novice teachers and clinical faculty members, makes her an outstanding colleague. Her influence is felt throughout the School of Nursing, as well as regionally and nationally. We congratulate her on this prestigious recognition of her contributions to teaching.” AACN is the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve health care; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice.   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Many cancer survivors suffer from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.  Baltimore, Md.  – Kathleen Griffith, PhD ’06, MPH, CRNP, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The $439,436 grant will fund the research project Exercise Effect on Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain, Peripheral Nerve Fibers.  According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 14 million cancer survivors in the United States. Many suffer from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which is caused by a number of chemotherapy drugs. CIPN is associated with numbness and tingling in the hands and feet and often includes neuropathic pain. CIPN-related neuropathic pain (CIPN-NP) may cause long-term suffering, disability, and decreased quality of life. There are no agents available to prevent the development of CIPN, and pharmacologic treatment is suboptimal at best. Aerobic exercise and resistive training interventions in hospitalized hematologic cancer patients have demonstrated delayed onset and reduced severity of CIPN, and improvement in nerve-fiber density has been observed in diabetic neuropathy patients following exercise.  “So many individuals with a history of cancer chemotherapy experience persistent peripheral neuropathy that lasts well beyond treatment completion,” Griffith said. It is very important to identify ways in which to manage their symptoms and improve function, and this study aims to accomplish this through the implementation of a supervised exercise trial. We will also be examining peripheral nerve fibers in the laboratory to understand from a mechanistic standpoint how exercise influences this disabling condition.” Through this randomized controlled trial, Griffith and her team seek to examine the effects of aerobic exercise and resistive training on pain perception and function in subjects with CIPN-NP who have completed chemotherapy treatment for at least six months. The team will also test the hypothesis that exercise improves nerve-fiber density in this population.   # # #   The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Emphasis will be placed on developing nurses with essential public health skills. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and the Laurel College Center (LCC) were awarded a University System of Maryland Non-USM Regional Higher Education Centers Incentive Funding Request to support the expansion of educational opportunities for the RN-to-BSN students at LCC. LCC’s expansion will be supported by a $203,046 grant during fiscal years 2016-18. This grant will fund expansion and implementation of an enhanced practicum learning experience at LCC using low- and moderate-fidelity simulation for RN-to-BSN students enrolled in the Public Health Nursing Essentials for the Registered Nurse (NURS 467) course. Student group clusters will augment practicum hours with simulated learning exercises, directed by the Family and Community Health faculty at LCC. This initiative will enable nurse educators to emphasize developing the essential public health skills necessary to prepare nurses to meet the health care needs of various patient populations.  “Students are less knowledgeable about population health concepts or on how to consider health outcomes from the perspective of a group of individuals. As a result, they sometimes find it difficult to relate public health concepts learned in the classroom to nursing practice,” said Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, assistant professor and associate dean for the baccalaureate program. “Combining low- and mid-fidelity simulation with clustered group experiences will allow students to practice new skills within a safe and supportive learning environment. We feel that the faculty-developed case scenarios will improve our ability to assist students to attain the recommended public health baccalaureate core competencies.”  In achieving the Institute of Medicine’s goal of 80 percent of nurses holding a BSN degree by 2020, UMSON revised its RN-to-BSN curriculum in 2014. UMSON’s aim is to ensure its graduates become competent nursing professionals capable of providing safe and effective care regardless of the health care setting. This initiative also will build upon the education offered though LCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing program, addressing the competencies required for RNs in the increasingly complex health care environment, and includes the essential content required by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.  Maryland’s statewide education articulation agreement aims to minimize potential barriers to educational advancement while encouraging nurses to achieve the highest level of education possible. The RN-to-BSN option, which requires 31 academic credits for completion, is already being offered at UMSON in Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove.   # # #   The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked 11th nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Celebration to include lecture and alumni event. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Community/Public Health (CPH) Nursing master’s specialty with two events—a lecture on Friday, Sept. 16, and an alumni event on Saturday, Sept. 17. CPH’s 50th anniversary lecture will feature Patricia Butterfield, dean emerita and professor, Washington State University School of Nursing, who will speak on Thinking Upstream: Nurses Working to Address Climate Change in Public Health. The lecture, which is open to the public and free of charge, begins at 4 p.m. at UMSON, located at 655 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore. A reception will follow. On Saturday, CPH will host a celebration for all alumni, faculty, and current students of the specialty. Saturday’s event will feature a panel of CPH alumni leaders from every decade, including Marlene Cianci, PhD, MS ‘66, BSN ‘65, a member of UMSON’s first cohort of CPH graduates in 1966. Carolyn Nganga-Good, MS ‘07, BSN ‘05, RN, a 2007 graduate of the specialty; health programs administrator, Baltimore City Health Department; and Maryland’s Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Public Health Nurse Leader, will speak about Creating a Culture of Health during the program on Saturday. In addition to the celebrations, UMSON is encouraging donations to endow a CPH scholarship for future students in honor of long-time faculty member Claudia Smith, PhD, MPH, BSN ’65, RN-BC. UMSON’s master’s specialty program prepares students for advanced practice in community/public health nursing. With a strong focus on population health, social justice, and evidence-based programs, the curriculum provides students the opportunity to explore a range of topics.  For more information, visit www.nursing.umaryland.edu/news-events/events/.      # # #   The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

‌Chronic pain is a major public health epidemic that affects more than 116 million Americans. Baltimore, Md.  –Three University of Maryland School of Nursing faculty members have been awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Omics Associated with Self-management Interventions for Symptoms (OASIS) Center.  Susan G. Dorsey, PhD ‘01, MS ’98, RN, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science; Cynthia L. Renn, PhD, RN, associate professor; and Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, will receive more than $2.7 million over five years.    ‌ According to the Institute of Medicine’s report on Relieving Pain in America, chronic pain is a public health epidemic that affects more than 116 million Americans, costing more than $600 billion each year in health care expenses and lost work productivity. Despite advances in conventional pharmacological treatments, that are informed by the current understanding of basic biological mechanisms of chronic pain, most people do not obtain adequate pain relief.  Various types of self-management interventions have been tested, including cognitive behavioral therapy, non-pharmacologic treatments, and exercise/physical activity.  OASIS will conduct studies in both rodent models and patients in chronic pain. They will carefully characterize pain and related co-morbid symptoms with cutting-edge omics methods (e.g., transcriptomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, proteomics) to advance the understanding of how individual differences influence one's resilience, motivation, and capability to engage in physical activity and exercise as self-management tools to manage chronic pain. “We are pleased that the new OASIS center has been funded. The center is highly interdisciplinary,  and both clinical and pre-clinical animal model studies will be conducted,” Dorsey said. “This award is timely with the recently released National Pain Strategy and Centers for Disease Control’s guidance on opioid use.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

NPAM seeks to ensure a sound policy and regulatory foundation that enables NPs to provide accessible, high-quality care.  Baltimore, Md. – Three University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members and an alumna were recently elected to the Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland’s (NPAM) Board of Directors for the 2016-17 term. (l.to r.) Faculty members Roseann Velez, DNP, FNP-BC, assistant professor; Veronica Gutchell, DNP ‘13, CNS, CRNP, assistant professor; and Ameera Chakravarthy, MS, BSN ’02, CRNP, clinical instructor; and alumna Sonia P. Brown, DNP ‘15, MS ’99, ACNP-BC, were selected to the board.  Gutchell, NPAM’s president, serves as chief executive officer, NPAM’s principle representative and spokesperson, and chairperson of the board of directors and the executive committee. She also presides over all NPAM meetings, with the exception of district meetings; appoints members, with the approval of the board; serves on committees, special assignments, and task forces; and fills vacant positions within NPAM’s leadership. Additionally, Gutchell establishes ad hoc committees/task forces, serves as an ex-officio member of all committees and task forces, except for the nominations committee, and delegates appropriate duties to the executive director.   Brown, who is serving as president-elect, assumes the duties of the president during absences or when the president is unable to perform the duties of office, serves on the finance committee, and performs other duties as assigned by the president. Velez, who is NPAM’s secretary, records the proceedings of all meetings for the board of directors, executive committee, membership, or president; provides meeting minutes; and with the assistance of the editorial board and the association manager, oversees the publication of The Oracle.  As treasurer, Chakravarthy presides over the finance committee; assumes responsibility and accountability for NPAM’s fiscal affairs; presents a budget annually to the board; provides budgetary reports to the board and executive committee; and oversees disbursement of funds with approval from the board of directors. "We are extremely proud that three alumnae from the School of Nursing—three of whom are also faculty members—have been elected to serve as officers of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland,”  said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “Through their volunteer service to NPAM as president, president-elect, secretary, and treasurer respectively, Dr. Gutchell, Dr. Brown, Dr. Velez, and Ms. Chakravarthy are emblematic of the national focus on nurses assuming leadership positions in organizations that are advancing health.  I know that they will do an outstanding job in supporting the important work that NPAM is doing to ensure the highest quality of health care for Maryland residents and advance the role of nurse practitioners in meeting the needs of our communities."   # # #   The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Research team will explore treatment using two well-explicated mouse models.   Baltimore, Md.  – Sherrie Lessans, PhD ‘10, RN, assistant professor and director, Clinical Nurse Leader option, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Nursing Research to fund the project  Modeling Post-Menopausal Chemotherapy-Associated Weight Gain. Lessans’ award is for $460,817.  Research suggests that weight may play a critical role in contributing to increased incidences of breast cancer and reduced survival outcomes among women after menopause. Lessans and her research team will explore treatment-associated weight and metabolic profiles using a clinically relevant chemotherapy triplet across two well-explicated mouse models of reproductive senescence. The study will be used to generate testable hypotheses to explore mechanisms underlying treatment-associated weight gain and to support intervention studies to complement ongoing human symptom science studies. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 50 percent of all women, and 70 percent of post-menopausal women, newly diagnosed with breast cancer, are overweight.  As a result, women in these categories are at an increased risk for larger, more aggressive tumors containing markers of high proliferation and more recurrence-prone hormone receptor positive tumors, which leads to a death rate nearly twice as high as women at a healthier weight who suffer from breast cancer. “Inexplicably, many post-menopausal women who undergo chemotherapy will gain even more weight; on average between two to 10 kilograms. Very little is understood about this weight gain and there is no animal model to help us understand underlying biology,” Lessans said. “This grant will fund the critical animal modeling of post-menopausal weight gain, which holds great potential to understand this increasingly serious clinical issue in oncology care.” In addition, this project will broadly expose UMSON’s entry-level and doctoral students to symptom science research as well as create compensated opportunities for student engagement in specific research endeavors.   # # #   The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

‌Baltimore, Md. - Lori Edwards, DrPh, MPH, BSN '80, RN, PHCNS-BC, assistant professor and associate director for global occupational health, Office of Global Health, was recognized as a Birdland Community Hero at an Orioles game held on Sunday, July 24, against the Cleveland Indians. The Orioles Birdland Community Heroes program honors and recognizes community heroes who inspire us through their spirited commitment to extend a hand in charity, service, hope, and harmony. This recognition honors the heroism of members of the extended Orioles community from all walks of life, occupations, and diverse backgrounds who have distinguished themselves by selflessly working or volunteering in fields that care for, serve, teach, protect, and improve the lives of others, around the corner or around the globe, who are most in need.‌ Click here to watch the video. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Patient portal use is low nationally. Baltimore, Md.  –The Agency for HealthCare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has awarded Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD ’03, RN, FAAN, professor and specialty director, Nursing Informatics,  University of Maryland School of Nursing, a two-year, $299,960, research grant. Nahm will serve as principal investigator for the research project, A Theory-Based Patient Portal eLearning Program for Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses. Chronic illnesses are a serious health problem in the U.S. According to AARP, more than 70 million adults age 50 and older suffer from at least one chronic illness.  Managing chronic conditions can require long-term, complex treatment plans that can cause unintended errors, leading to detrimental health consequences. Patient portals can assist patients with managing their care. A federally supported form of health information technology, patient portals allow patients to access their health records and directly communicate with their health care provider. Unfortunately, research shows that overall patient portal use is low at 26.8 percent nationally, especially among older adults. “Patient portals have a great potential to engage and empower patients to better manage their health. While this technology can be especially beneficial for older adults to manage multiple chronic illnesses, most are not using it because they aren’t familiar with the technology,” Nahm said. “Our prior research findings suggest that older adults are willing and can use patient portals when we teach them in an older-adult, friendly manner.” Nahm’s research team aims to develop a theory-based patient portal e-learning program that is user-friendly for older adults and to assess its impact on the use of patient portals and selected health outcomes. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Specialty will provide Western Maryland and Montgomery County residents with convenient option. Baltimore, Md.  – Beginning fall 2017, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will offer its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Specialty at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).*  UMSON is launching the specialty at USG in response to the need to progress the education of underrepresented and geographically diverse students to advanced degree programs. Currently, the specialty is only offered at the Baltimore location. However, the FNP specialty is in high demand, and the Baltimore location cannot accommodate all qualified students. As a result, the specialty is expanding to USG, a move that is expected to enhance the recruitment of students from Western Maryland and Montgomery County and provide a convenient, cost-effective option for a diverse population of nurses to pursue advanced practice degrees. “Montgomery County and the surrounding areas have a documented need for advanced care providers. We are excited to bring UMSON’s nationally recognized program to the Universities at Shady Grove,” said Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, chair of the UMSON program at USG. “Primary care is essential to improving the health and quality of life for the region's citizens. The graduates of this program will make a substantial contribution to the wellbeing of our communities. We look forward to working with our vast network of partners and future clients.” UMSON’s expansion of the specialty is a result of a Nurse Support Program II grant awarded to Bridgitte Gourley, DNP ’08, FNP-BC, assistant professor and specialty director, FNP. Gourley, who was awarded a five-year, $1.587 million grant, will lead efforts at both locations. Gina Rowe, PhD, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, CNE, assistant professor and coordinator, FNP, will manage the program at USG, and other experienced FNP faculty members will be identified to teach didactic and clinical content. “I am excited to have this specialty launch at USG, which will provide a critical access point for nurses in Western Maryland and the Montgomery County region,” Gourley said. “Prospective students can now take advantage of this new opportunity to pursue their educational goals and become FNPs.” The FNP curriculum is designed to meet the essential elements of doctoral-level education for advanced practice registered nurses as called for by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. It is 80 credit hours divided between 56 didactic credits and 24 clinical credit degree. The 24 clinical credits require, by national standards, 1,080 clock hours of practicum/clinical instruction.  Students are able to apply now for fall 2017. *Pending approval by the Maryland Higher Education Commission # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Award given for published distinguished HAI research. Baltimore, Md. – Erika Friedmann, PhD, professor and associate dean of research, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was recently awarded the International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations’ (IAHAIO) Johannes Odendaal Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Distinguished Researcher Award at its triennial conference held in Paris. The award is in honor of the late Johannes Odendaal of South Africa for his significant contributions to the HAI field. This inaugural honor is given to an individual who has produced distinguished HAI research that has been published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or as chapters in a book.  The published work must have received high reviews in appropriate journals. Additionally, the research is required to be either descriptive or hypothesis-driven and must involve data collection.  "I'm very honored to have received the first Odendaal award.  There are so many other researchers who have done important work to move the HAI field forward,” Friedmann said.  “It's a real validation of my work."  Friedmann was honored for authoring the paper, Pets, Depression and Long-Term Survival in Community Living Patients Following Myocardial Infarction.  The paper examined the relationship between pet ownership and improved survival of patients after heart attacks and the benefits of pet ownership for patients who are depressed. Friedmann’s research is a follow up to her seminal paper, Animal Companions and One Year Survival After Discharge from a Coronary Care Unit. That paper was the first to use original data to document the long-term contribution of pet ownership to physical health. It stimulated Friedmann and other researchers to examine the role of companion animals in helping their owners reduce stress and anxiety, decrease depression and loneliness, and encourage exercise. The benefits of companion animals have served as the blueprint for a large amount of HAI research that has been conducted over the past 35 years.  "We are extremely proud of Dr. Friedmann's selection as the inaugural recipient of the Johannes Odendaal HAI Distinguished Researcher Award. Dr. Friedmann has been at the forefront of investigating how animals impact human health for decades and has also served tirelessly as a leader in promoting academic, scientific, and scholarly research into HAI at a time when it was a relatively new area of interdisciplinary research,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “She is an embodiment of the pioneering spirit that is so much a part of the School of Nursing, and we all congratulate her on this highly prestigious international honor."   IAHAIO seeks to provide international leadership in advancing HAI through research, education, and collaboration among members, policymakers, clinical practitioners, HAI organizations and the general public. It promotes a forum for collaborating, sharing ideas and information, and educating policy and decision makers at the national and international levels. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Fillian will provide strategic direction and innovative solutions to challenges. Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently appointed Larry Fillian, Jr. as associate dean for student and academic services. In his new role, Fillian will provide strategic direction and innovative solutions to challenges, monitor trends in higher education, and make recommendations about the direction of the Office of Student and Academic Services. Fillian joins UMSON from The New School where he served as the university registrar. Prior to his position at The New School, Fillian was director of student academic services at the University of Kansas, and has held a variety of positions at The George Washington University, including director of undergraduate advising and assessment and associate registrar. “I am confident that Mr. Fillian will provide significant leadership in his new role at UMSON.  He brings a strong history of collaboration and creativity that will enable him to work across the School of Nursing, both in Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove,” Kirschling said. “Mr. Fillian will elevate our activities related to student and academic services to an even higher level.” Fillian earned a Master of Education degree in higher education administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Mary Washington. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON was awarded more than $7.2 million.  Baltimore, Md. – Twelve University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been awarded Nurse Support Program II (NSP II) grants funded through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).  UMSON received nine of 19 NSP II grants awarded for fiscal year 2017, totaling more than $7.2 million. NSP II grants aid in increasing the capacity of nurses in Maryland by implementing statewide initiatives to grow the number of nurses prepared to function effectively in faculty roles. MHEC offers a number of educational grant programs funded by state general funds, special funds, and federal funds. The programs are designed to address Maryland’s economic and workforce development needs, campus reform initiatives, student preparation for post-secondary education, faculty and student diversity goals, and teacher professional development objectives. "We are thrilled that UMSON received NSP II grant support for nine very significant projects that address Maryland's nursing workforce shortage. Our work will help expand the capacity and caliber of Maryland's nursing program on a statewide basis, increasing the number of well-equipped faculty and fostering greater collaboration between academic nurse faculty and clinical practice nurses,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are grateful to the Maryland Health Services Commission for its generous support of nursing research and the Maryland Higher Education Commission for its leadership in administering the NSP II initiative. Together we are ensuring that Maryland's residents have access to excellent health care now and in the years ahead." NSP II grants awarded to UMSON for FY 2017: Bimbola Akintade, PhD ‘11, MS ’05, BSN ’03, MBA, MHA, ACNP-BC, CCRN, assistant professor and specialty director, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist; and Shannon Idzik, DNP, CRNP, FAANP, associate professor and associate dean for the DNP Program – Collaborative Nurse Practitioner Clinical Training ($945,866) Bridget Gourley, DNP ‘08, CRNP, assistant professor and specialty director, Family Nurse Practitioner – FNP Expansion to Shady Grove ($1,586,781) Louise S. Jenkins, PhD ’85, MS ‘81, RN, FAHA, ANEF, professor and director of the Institute for Educators – Faculty Mentorship Program II ($350,031) Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN,associate professor and associate dean for the PhD Program – Project Rush ($595,210)  Mary Etta C. Mills, ScD, MS ’73, BSN ’71, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, professor, and Linda Hickman, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE, assistant professor – RN-BSN or MSN Clinical Faculty ($3,120,506) Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD ’03, RN, FAAN, professor and specialty director, Nursing Informatics; and Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, CCRA, assistant professor and associate dean for the Baccalaureate Program – Care Coordination Specialty ($255,198) Carol O’Neil, PhD, RN, CNE, associate professor – Developing Nurse Educators to Teach Online ($80,970) Debra A. Scrandis, PhD, CRNP, BC, associate professor – Psychiatric Mental Health FNP ($168,924) Patricia Zimberg, JD, MS ’00, RN, assistant professor – Care Coordination and Case Management ($113,701)  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON teaming up with Edmondson-Westside and Frederick Douglass High School students and families. Baltimore, Md. –Vanessa P. Fahie, PhD, RN, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has received a College Preparation Intervention Program grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The $149,000 award is in support of the Maryland Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program. In collaboration with Baltimore City Public Schools, UMSON will provide services to Edmondson-Westside and Frederick Douglass High School students and their families. The Exploring Health Profession Careers project will foster career awareness and exploration, college readiness, financial literacy, and increased parental involvement. Students and their families will also be exposed to diverse collegiate experiences on a health professions campus to help overcome the disparity in educational attainment and awareness of health professions career opportunities among low-income students.  “The achievement gap between students from high-income and low-income families has grown in recent years. This project addresses academic preparation, one of the strongest determinants of postsecondary success for students traditionally underrepresented in higher education,” Fahie said. “The rising inequality in K–12 achievement based on family income parallels growing disparities in college enrollment and completion between students from high-income and low-income families.” Through this partnership resources will be pooled to creatively develop a model program to reduce the obstacles that would prevent high school students, particularly African Americans interested in health professions, from graduating from high school and enrolling in college. The partnership will also increase communication between parents, teachers, and administrators to identify career and educational goals. “I want to applaud Dr. Fahie for her ongoing dedication to strengthening the School of Nursing’s collaboration with the Baltimore City Public Schools and for this latest program grant,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Improving access for Baltimore City students to health profession careers is vital to the future of health care delivery in Maryland and to the health and well-being of our communities.  Dr. Fahie brings tremendous creativity, energy, and wisdom to the task of dismantling barriers to high school graduation and entry into the health professions.”     # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Trocky served as interim associate dean for past eight months. Baltimore, Md.  –  Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently named Assistant Professor Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CNE, the associate dean for the baccalaureate program. Trocky had been serving as the interim since October 2015. In her new role, Trocky is tasked with staying abreast of and advising on a wide array of academic issues and policies impacting the baccalaureate program.  Trocky will facilitate innovative program development and the integration of technology to shape the educational experiences of entry-level students. She will also develop partnerships with other academic institutions and health care organizations to assist with the transition of transfer students and students who are graduates of associate degree nursing programs. “I am honored to serve as associate dean for the baccalaureate program for one of the finest nursing schools in our state. We have a group of stellar faculty members who are committed to maintaining the academic rigor of our entry-level curriculum, meeting the unique needs of our diverse student body, and contributing to the broader educational experiences of our future bachelor-prepared nurses,” Trocky said. “I look forward to supporting the faculty and staff and enabling them to develop competent, compassionate, caring nursing professionals who can effectively deliver safe, high-quality care.” Early in her career, Trocky served for a decade in a variety of staff nurse positions and was a study coordinator at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Additionally, she worked as a research nurse and multi-center project coordinator for an NCI grant at the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Medical Center. Since joining UMSON’s faculty in 2006, Trocky has served as co-program director for the Komen Maryland Affiliate Nursing Partnership, program director for the Clinical Research Management graduate specialty, program director for UMSON’s RN-to-BSN option, and as a member of the Health Services Leadership and Management faculty. “Dr. Trocky has consistently proven her abilities as a faculty member and leader at the University of Maryland School of Nursing,” Kirschling said. “She has exhibited strong day-to-day management skills and a deep knowledge of the baccalaureate program during her time as interim. I have every confidence that she will do an outstanding job as the associate dean for the baccalaureate program.” Trocky earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Waynesburg University, post-master’s Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions certificate from UMSON, Master of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Temple University. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Shelia Pierre-Louis ‘16, School of Nursing, will attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) at the University of Maryland, College Park, on June 2-4.This annual leadership conference has a 30-year history and is being sponsored by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the UMBrella Group. Pierre-Louis is one of two students who earned a scholarship to the conference. 

There were bright blue skies over Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena as School of Nursing graduates celebrated the successful completion of their degrees on Friday, May 20. The Class of 2016 consisted of 176 Bachelor of Science, 129 Master of Science, two PhD, and 12 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates. Dean Jane Kirschling delivered welcoming remarks, and Jennifer Baldwin, MPH, BSN, senior vice president, CareFirst Patient-Centered Medical Home Program, delivered the Convocation address. In her address, Baldwin encouraged the graduates to persevere when pursuing a goal and to surround themselves with people who would encourage them along the way. The 2016 Excellence in Teaching Awards were presented to Rachel Onello, PhD ‘15, MS ’07, RN, CHSE, CNE, CNL, assistant professor, for excellence in graduate education and to Nicole Smith, MS ‘14, RN, clinical instructor, for excellence in undergraduate education. Carolyn Waltz, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, carried the School of Nursing mace, leading the processional and recessional. In the spirit of true collaboration between disciplines, a mother and son both graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) in May. Renee Franquiz was hooded as a graduate of the School of Nursing’s DNP program ahead of the rest of the DNP cohort. Her son Miguel graduated from the School of Pharmacy that morning as well; however, Renee wanted to attend both ceremonies, which were being held at nearly the same time. Renee decided to be hooded on stage by her scholarly project chair at the beginning of the ceremony so she and her family could attend the pharmacy convocation. Miguel graduated summa cum laude, and is a member of Rho Chi and Phi Lambda Sigma. Additionally, he received the School of Pharmacy’s Andrew G. DuMez Award for Superior Proficiency in Pharmacy. An addition to the 2016 ceremony was the presentation of the DAISY in Training Award. The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. The Barnes family felt that Patrick had received excellent nursing care during his illness, so they created the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses. The DAISY in Training Award recipients were Hannah Jean Cacopardo and Rachel Heeter Smith. Later in the day, School of Nursing graduates joined graduates from all seven UMB schools for a Party in the Park at University Square. They enjoyed food, music, and games before participating in the UMB Commencement ceremony at Royal Farms Arena.  Renee Franquiz (above left) is hooded ahead of the rest of her DNP cohort so she can attend her son Miquel's graduation (above right) from the School of Pharmacy. See more photos from graduation.

In a joint venture, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) are teaming up to combat human trafficking in Maryland.  The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), through its Governor’s Wellmobile Program, will join in UMB’s efforts, as the two campuses have combined resources to open the University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Trafficking Survivors, located near the UMCP campus. This initiative is a product of the University of Maryland: MPowering the State, a formal collaborative program for innovation. UMB and UMCP will help address human trafficking through the SAFE Center by providing in-house services to U.S. and foreign-born adult and child survivors of sex and labor trafficking.  In addition, UMSON is collaborating with the University of Maryland Schools of Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Social Work, to work in tandem with UMCP on this interprofessional initiative. The Wellmobile Program, a nurse-managed, mobile-health clinic that provides primary care to thousands of the state’s most vulnerable residents, will play an instrumental role in this effort. Members of the Wellmobile population are often foreign-born, Latino, non-English speaking, and/or uninsured. “The synergy of our mutual goals in serving vulnerable populations can be achieved through this partnership by providing comprehensive services and care for people in need,” said Kathryn Montgomery, PhD ‘97, RN, NEA-BC, associate professor, and chair, Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice. The Wellmobile has an agreement with the SAFE Center to share referrals and resources. Its established community presence and referral networks, and its proximity to the SAFE Center, provide easy access to primary care services. Patients of the SAFE Center will receive services from the center and then will be referred to the Wellmobile to address their health care needs. Conversely, victims of human trafficking who seek health care services from the Wellmobile, but haven’t received assistance from a victim’s center, will be referred to the SAFE Center. “The SAFE Center is an extraordinary example of what can be accomplished through collaboration and the provision of services with an interdisciplinary approach.  We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with our colleagues at the University of Maryland, College Park on this important work that addresses the needs of survivors of sex and labor trafficking,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “It is gratifying to be able to harness the resources of the professional schools at UMB in an interdisciplinary effort to help survivors heal, reclaim their lives, and look forward to a better future.” According to the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, human trafficking is the second highest grossing criminal enterprise, as the worldwide industry earns $150.2 billion annually. The center aims to provide survivor-centered and trauma-informed services that empower trafficking survivors to heal and reclaim their lives. Additionally, the center works to help prevent trafficking and better serve survivors through research and policy advocacy. 

Members serve as advisors to health care policy makers. Baltimore, Md.  – Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ‘11, MS ‘05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, assistant professor, and director, Office of Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was recently inducted as a Distinguished Practitioner and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice  (NAP).  Distinguished practitioners and scholars represent 14 different health professions and are elected by their peers. Dedicated to supporting affordable, accessible, coordinated health care for all, NAP is an interdisciplinary, non-profit organization that advises governmental bodies on the U.S. health care system. The 14 academies of practice within the NAP include audiology, dentistry, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatric medicine, psychology, social work, speech-language pathology, and veterinary medicine. Members of these 14 health care professions are willing to serve as advisors to health care policy makers in Congress and other venues. “I am honored to be inducted as a distinguished practitioner in the National Academies of Practice.  NAP’s commitment to focusing on improving our national health through policy, advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration is well-aligned with my professional and personal goals,” Ogbolu said. “Being elected will increase my ability to collaborate with distinguished members to advance the provision of affordable, accessible, and equitable care for all of America’s diverse communities.” NAP membership is an honor given to health care professionals who have excelled in their field and are dedicated to furthering practice, scholarship, and policy in support of interprofessional care. “Dr. Ogbolu has been instrumental in advancing UMSON’s global health agenda. She is dedicated to researching newborn health disparities and identifying methods of improving culturally competent care, both of which address pressing health care needs in our society,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her efforts are a testament to her commitment to improving population health, and her induction speaks volumes about the impact she has made with organizing and delivering health services to vulnerable populations around the globe.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Commitment is effort to combat prescription drug and opioid abuse in U.S. Baltimore, Md.  – As part of  academic nursing’s ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug and opioid abuse across the United States, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that it has committed to educating its advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) students on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. The commitment was featured in a White House fact sheet as part of the White House Champions of Change event on Advancing Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.  Katherine Fornili, MPH, RN, CARN, assistant professor, represented the School at the event held on Friday, April 29. “As a faculty member of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, and a certified addictions registered nurse, I am proud of our school for taking the pledge to educate all of our students about opioid use, abuse, and overdose,” Fornili said. “I am also pleased that we will be teaching our advanced practice nurses about safer opioid prescribing that is consistent with the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.” The Obama Administration asked the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) member schools with APRN programs to partner on this initiative. UMSON recognizes that opioid abuse is a pressing public health crisis, and it is critical that APRN students receive education on current standards. "It is vitally important that we prepare our students to deal with emerging public health issues. Clearly, opioid abuse has become an epidemic in our country and threatens the health and well-being of thousands of individuals, their families, and our communities,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “In response to this, we have joined with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to ensure that our advanced practice registered nursing students are educated and can do their part in combating the inappropriate use of prescription drugs and opioids." AACN’s president and CEO Deborah Trautman, PhD, RN, FAAN, offered remarks at the White House to recognize the 191 AACN member nursing schools that have taken this pledge. “AACN is proud of the rapid response by our membership when the Administration called to help ensure future generations of providers who prescribe opioids for chronic pain are prepared for the critical work ahead,” said Dr. Trautman. “We commend academic nursing’s dedication to ensuring our nation’s future providers are prepared to address opioid abuse and overdose using best practices.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Six percent of the population is affected by TMD, a complex chronic pain disorder. Baltimore, Md. – Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been awarded a four-year, $2,132,372, grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, for the research project Chronic Orofacial Pain: Genetics, Cognitive-Emotional Factors, and Endogenous Modulatory Systems.  Colloca will serve as the principal investigator. Approximately 100 million people suffer from chronic pain, costing the U.S. more than $600 billion annually. Recent studies suggest that genetics plays a major role in pain sensitivity, pain modulation, and the susceptibility to the development of chronic pain and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).  TMD, a complex chronic pain condition that is influenced by biological, psychological, environmental, and social factors, affects approximately six percent of the population. However, individual responses to chronic pain vary, as some are mildly affected while others suffer from debilitating dysfunction. In response to this international problem, Colloca’s research team has developed a comprehensive genetic, behavioral, and imaging approach. Through this project, researchers will examine the role of genetic variations on behavioral, psychological, and neuronal mechanisms of expectancy-induced analgesia in patients with TMD. Colloca’s team aims to determine if the variants in candidate genes are associated with expectancy-induced analgesia, predicting chronic orofacial pain endophenotypes. Additionally, the team will examine if variations in specific identified genes predict expectancy-induced analgesia and related neuronal changes in the prefrontal and limbic areas. The team will also research if individual psychological traits are unique modulators of the complex genetic moderation of expectancy-induced analgesia, regardless of the severity of the disease. “Chronic pain represents an economic and public health burden in the U.S. and worldwide.  The genetic modulation of the endogenous pain inhibitory system partially accounts for inter-individual variability in pain phenotypes,” Colloca said. “This project investigates the role of genetic influences on a newly described model, namely expectancy-induced analgesia in patients suffering from orofacial pain. Our team will investigate genetic and brain inhibitory pain mechanisms to identify biological predictors of the variability in clinical human pain phenotypes. We ultimately hope to contribute to a new and successful therapeutic approach.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Treasurer oversees NONPF fiscal matters and provides disbursement oversight. Baltimore, Md. – Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS, ’03, CRNP, FAANP, associate professor and associate dean of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been elected treasurer of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Idzik will serve a two-year term. As treasurer, Idzik serves on NONPF’s board, is responsible for all NONPF fiscal matters, and provides oversight for the disbursement of funds. NONPF seeks to provide timely and critical resources for nurse practitioner (NP) educators and to advance innovative models that support NP educational programs to meet the highest quality standards. “We are at a critical time where nurse practitioners have a unique opportunity to redefine health care from a disease-based approach to a wellness approach. NONPF is the leader in  quality nurse practitioner education,” Idzik said. “I am thrilled to represent nurse practitioner educators and the School of Nursing in national discussions that not only influence nurse practitioner education, but also inform policy, certification, licensure, and accreditation." NONPF’s board works to promote continuous and collaborative quality improvement and evidence-based approaches to national and global nurse practitioner education, influence policy to advance NP education, foster diversity across NP education, promote scholarship opportunities for NP educators, and strengthen resources to sustain the NONPF membership. “We are very proud of Dr. Idzik for being elected treasurer of NONPF and for her ongoing role in the organization. Her service to NONPF is emblematic of her commitment to ensuring that nurse practitioner education is of the highest caliber,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Dr. Idzik has clearly demonstrated her leadership abilities on behalf of nurse practitioner education, research, practice, and service, and has made a lasting contribution to the profession and delivery of health care services in the state. Her contributions now extend to the nation.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Dean Jane M. Kirschling , PhD, RN, FAAN, recently delivered her 2016 State of the School address to University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) leadership, School of Nursing faculty and staff, and other special guests. During her address, Transforming Nursing: Living Our Core Values, Dean Kirschling informed attendees about how the School is responding to some of the significant challenges facing nursing, while maintaining the core values of UMB and the School of Nursing. In her address, the Dean outlined the School’s response to the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 2010 landmark report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, which called on colleges of nursing to increase the percentage of nurses with baccalaureate degrees from 50 to 80 percent by 2020; double the number of nurses with doctoral degrees; implement early and continuous interprofessional collaboration; and provide opportunities for continuous learning across the spectrum of a nurse’s career. Additionally, Kirschling highlighted the accomplishments of the School, faculty and staff. Click here to watch the State of the School presentation.  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Assistant living residents functional decline often a result of how care is provided. Baltimore, Md. – Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been awarded a five-year, $1,602,489 grant from the National Institutes of Health for the research project, Dissemination and Implementation of Focused Care for Assisted Living. Resnick is the principal investigator for the project. Currently, more than 31,000 assisted living (AL) settings nationwide serve approximately 750,000 older adults. Almost 50 percent of AL residents require assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and walking. In addition, the majority of AL residents require help with meal preparation and medication management. According to Resnick, AL residents typically become sedentary after moving in and continue to experience functional decline beyond what is expected from disease progression. This decline is caused by many factors including the way that care is provided. Caregivers tend to complete all activities of daily living for residents, which decreases the opportunities for these individuals to engage in range-of-motion and physical activities, leading to decline in function. Function Focused Care is an intervention that helps caregivers change how care is provided and teaches them how to engage residents in functional tasks and physical activity. Research has shown that residents who have been exposed to Function Focused Care demonstrate maintained or improved function, and are less likely to be transferred to the hospital for non-fall related events.  In implementing Function Focused Care in AL settings, Resnick’s team developed a theory-based, four-step approach, Function Focused Care for Assisted Living, based on the social-ecological model, social cognitive theory, and the Evidence Integration Triangle (FFC-AL-EIT). This study will test the implementation of FFC-AL-EIT across 96 assisted living facilities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.  “Our research has shown that function-focused care approaches can help maintain function, increase time spent in physical activity, and decrease transfers to the acute-care settings,” Resnick said. “It is time to demonstrate how to implement a function-focused care approach in these settings and ensure that this becomes the norm when providing care to those who reside in assisted living facilities.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Two master’s specialties are rated No. 1. Baltimore, Md. — The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is ranked No. 5 in the U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural DNP rankings. UMSON's DNP program is tied with the schools of nursing at Case Western Reserve University and Rush University. Additionally, UMSON is ranked No. 8 among all accredited graduate nursing programs, tied with the schools of nursing at Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University, and Emory University in U.S. News & World Report‘s 2017 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” Three UMSON master’s specialties/options are ranked in the top five in the 2017 listing. The Clinical Nurse Leader option and Nursing Informatics specialty remain at No. 1 and the Administration specialty remained at No. 5. Other UMSON specialties ranked in the top 10 include the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Family Nurse Practitioner specialties which are each ranked at No. 8; the Nurse Anesthesia specialty is No. 10. “It is gratifying to continue to be recognized within the top 10 nursing programs nationwide and a particular honor to debut at the No. 5 ranking for our DNP program in the first year for this ranking. These accomplishments are a testament to the extraordinary hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” said School of Nursing Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “At a time when the nation’s nursing schools are being called upon to increase the number of nurses holding advanced degrees, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of nursing education, research, and practice to ensure that nurses are well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of our society within a complex and rapidly changing health care environment.” The U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools” rankings are compiled through the gathering of survey data from deans of schools of nursing that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

New equipment will enhance learning using simulated technology. Baltimore, Md. –The University of Maryland School of Nursing at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) has received a 2016 Maryland Clinical Simulation Resource Consortium (MCSRC) Equipment and Materials Award. USG’s award is $108,436.42. Through the award, USG will receive a new model birthing bed, wound care models, portable two-way mirror panels, mobile medication station, programmable thermometers, and programmable stethoscopes and auscultation trainers to assess heart, lung, and bowel sounds. These items will be used to enhance learning through simulated technology at the USG location. Mary Pat Ulicny, MS ‘11, MHA, RN, CNE, clinical instructor and clinical simulation lab director for UMSON’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at USG, and Nicole E. Smith, MS ‘14, RN, clinical instructor and clinical simulation lab coordinator at USG, submitted the request to MCSRC. “This generous grant from MCSRC has provided the Universities at Shady Grove with a valuable opportunity to expand simulation encounters, with endless learning possibilities for students across our undergraduate curriculum,” Ulicny said. "The new equipment and manikins will not only enhance realism and fidelity, but will also help improve our faculty’s ability to instruct in the lab and the classroom. These items will provide students with the tools needed to reach their full potential as future nurses, ensuring that they are better prepared to care for patients in a complex, rapidly-changing, health care environment."  Each year, MCSRC awards $250,000 to qualifying colleges for simulation equipment and materials. Before awarding a grant, MCSRC reviews the necessity of the simulation equipment and its goal and/or purpose. MCSRC also looks at the impact that the simulation equipment and materials are expected to have on the curricula and student enrollment. Additionally, MCSRC must be satisfied with the manner in which the equipment will be sustained and the projected number of student users per semester. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Board serves as voice for hospice and palliative nurses. Baltimore, Md. – Debra Wiegand, PhD, RN, CCRN, CHPN, FAHA, FPCN, FAAN, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been elected to the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) Board of Directors.  She will serve a three-year term.  HPNA, a national non-profit organization of nursing professionals representing the specialty of palliative nursing, has more than 11,000 members.  The Board manages the business and affairs of HPNA while serving as the voice for hospice and palliative nurses. Board members are actively involved in strategic planning, assessing, evaluating and carrying out the fiduciary responsibilities of the Association. “It is an honor to be elected to HPNA’s board. With a mission to advance expert care of serious illnesses, it is the only nursing organization of its kind. I am looking forward to joining the leaders of the Association,” Wiegand said. “Together we will develop initiatives to help nurses as they provide care to patients and their families in need of palliative and hospice care.”  Wiegand’s research focuses on improving end-of-life care for families of dying patients in the acute care setting. She has conducted studies featuring families of patients with both acute and chronic life-limiting illnesses and injuries that have died after life-sustaining therapies have been withdrawn. The long-term goal of Wiegand’s research is to understand how nurses and other providers can best help and support vulnerable, grieving, and bereaved families. Currently, Wiegand is principal investigator of a bereavement outcomes study determining how families adapt physically and psychologically after participating in the end-of-life decision-making process. “We are very proud of Dr. Wiegand for her selection as a member of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association’s Board of Directors. Dr. Wiegand’s commitment to cutting-edge research within the field of palliative nursing makes her a great fit,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “I am confident that she will contribute significantly to the organization’s goal of promoting excellence in palliative nursing care through leadership development, education and research.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

School pairing with Maryland Family Network to improve health oversight of Head Start programs. Baltimore, Md. –The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has received a $750,000 gift from Baltimore benefactor Mary Catherine Bunting, MS ’72, CRNP, RN. Through this gift, UMSON, in collaboration with the Maryland Family Network, will support the development and implementation of a new, three-year community public health initiative. This partnership will focus on improving overall health and environmental health within Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) Centers in Baltimore City. EHS and HS programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth until age 5. Educational services are offered to children and their families, in addition to health, nutrition, and social resources. The initiative will deliver health services to eight EHS centers serving 390 children up to three years of age, beginning in fall 2016. Needs assessments for four HS grantees serving 2,680 children will begin in the second year of the program. Additionally, this program will assist the EHS centers with becoming certified as Eco Healthy Child Care® Centers, which will ensure that centers meet the evidence-based recommendations to protect children from known environmental hazards.  Approximately 600 child care facilities in the United States are currently certified as Eco-Healthy; however, only 22 facilities are certified in Maryland, none of which are EHS or HS.  “Low-income families are at particularly high risk for multiple health disparities. This is an opportunity to identify and prevent those risks in very young children before it’s too late,” said Margaret E. Williams, executive director, Maryland Family Network. “We are very pleased to partner on this life-saving and life-changing initiative.”   Students from UMSON’s RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing option and Master of Science programs will staff the initiative as part of the School’s on-going service learning commitment. They will help coordinate health care services for children and families enrolled in EHS, including record reviews, regular health screenings, and follow-up home visits for children with chronic conditions, such as asthma, and home visits for pregnant women and new mothers. Students will also provide training on emergency preparedness, basic principles to keep families healthy, and other topics of interest to EHS staff and parents. “The University of Maryland School of Nursing is a strong supporter of providing children with quality early learning environments and helping to build solid families,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are very grateful to Ms. Bunting for affording us the opportunity to team with the Maryland Family Network on this high-impact public health initiative that will reach thousands of children. This will serve as a significant opportunity to improve our local communities.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Award recognizes individuals who have enhanced geriatric nursing in the Southern region. Baltimore, Md. – Elizabeth Galik, PhD ‘07, RN, CRNP, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), received the Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS)/John A. Hartford Foundation Research Award at the Society’s 30th annual conference on Feb. 26. The award, which has been given since 2001, recognizes the contributions of individuals whose established program of research has enhanced the science and practice of geriatric nursing in the Southern region. “It is a great honor to be recognized by the Southern Nursing Research Society and the John A. Hartford Foundation for my contributions to geriatric research.  I am looking forward to continuing to study the most successful ways to optimize physical activity and function and minimize behavioral symptoms among older adults with dementia,” Galik said. Recipients must be a member of the SNRS demonstrate outstanding scholarly contributions to the science of geriatric nursing, and prove active participation in an ongoing geriatric research program. Award winners must also show evidence of influencing a geriatric health care practice or research program. “I am very pleased that Dr. Galik’s work as a researcher is being recognized with this prestigious award.  Dr. Galik is not only an accomplished scholar, but she is also a highly-engaged advocate for the needs of vulnerable older adults, especially those with cognitive impairment,” said Kathleen Michael, PhD, RN, CRRN, associate professor and chair of UMSON’s Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. “Her work exemplifies an extraordinary commitment to improving function and the quality of life for individuals at greatest risk.” SNRS seeks to advance nursing research through the dissemination and utilization of research findings, facilitation of career development of nurses and nursing students as researchers, promotion of nursing as a scientific discipline, and enhanced communication among its members. The Society is made up of 14 states and includes the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Latin America. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Recipients will receive a grant to assist with educational and professional expenses. Baltimore, Md. – Five faculty members and a PhD student from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) have been awarded the Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant (NEDG) for Practice and Dissertation Research. Clinical Instructors Amy Daniels, MS ‘12, BSN ’89, RN; and Crystal DeVance-Wilson, MS ‘06, MBA, BSN ‘00, PHCNS-BC; Assistant Professors  Marik Moen, MPH, MS, RN; Kristen Rawlett, PhD ‘14; and Alicia Williams, DNP, MBA; and PhD student Vera Kuffour-Manu, MS ‘10; all received awards. This competitive grant program is designed to assist PhD and Doctor of Nursing Practice candidates while pursuing their advanced degrees. Its goals are to increase the number of doctoral-prepared nursing faculty in the state of Maryland, strengthen faculty development for optimal capacity at schools of nursing, and recruit and retain a diverse nursing faculty. “We are very thankful for the availability of the NEDG awards as it places the University of Maryland School of Nursing in a prime position to answer the Institute of Medicine’s call for a more highly-educated nursing workforce and an improved nursing education system,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I fully expect this program will help us further build and strengthen our faculty infrastructure, which in turn will ensure greater educational capacity for the preparation of future nurses.” Grant recipients can use the funds for professional development; course release time; wages for research-related administrative support; or project-related expenses for supplies, travel, and document creation. NEDG is a statewide funding initiative supported by the Nurse Support Program II and is jointly approved by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and Maryland Higher Education Commission. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

MdAIR is for state institutional research and assessment professionals working in higher education. Baltimore, Md. – Lynn Chen, PhD, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been elected membership chair of the Maryland Association for Institutional Research (MdAIR). Chen has been a member of MdAIR since 2012. MdAIR is a Maryland-based organization comprised of institutional research and assessment professionals who work at public or private two- and four-year institutions of higher education. The Association seeks to provide valuable and value-added events for members; grow membership to include a wider array of constituent groups; and standardize functions and processes of the organization to improve efficiency and sustainability. As membership chair, Chen ensures the official status of all MdAIR contacts are accurate and up-to-date; maintains the membership roster and listserv; coordinates with the webmaster to make sure members have access to all web resources; distributes notices, minutes, proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws Amendments, and other items of interest to membership; and announces results of referenda(s) on proposed amendments to members. Additionally, Chen plans and conducts outreach and recruitment activities for the purpose of increasing MdAIR membership and assists the awards committee with determining the eligibility of recipients for emeritus membership status. “I am truly grateful for this opportunity and am happy that I am being recognized and supported by my colleagues,” Chen said. “Serving as membership chair will give me a chance to network with other professionals who are doing similar work at other institutes of higher education in Maryland. I am looking forward to planning and conducting outreach and recruitment activities to increase MdAIR’s membership.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Chair ensures officers of CareFirst act in accordance of its mission. Baltimore, Md. – Ann B. Mech, JD, RN, assistant professor and legal affairs coordinator, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been appointed chair of the Maryland CareFirst Board of Directors. Mech, the only nurse on the Board, has been a member of the Board since September 2013. CareFirst is a nonprofit health care company independently licensed by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The health care company offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia through its affiliates and subsidiaries. The Board of Directors approves modifications to state benefit plans, provider networks, provider reimbursement levels, product underwriting guidelines, rating plans, marketing goals, and availability or affordability of health care in Maryland. As chair, Mech is tasked with presiding over Board meetings and overseeing the implementation of policies approved by the Board. Mech, who is also an ex-officio member of all the committees of the Board, will work closely with CareFirst’s chief executive officer and senior administrators.  “My background in nursing has taught me how important access to health care services is to overall health, and keeping health insurance affordable is an important goal for CareFirst,” Mech said. “My vision is to expand the participation of both patients and providers in the patient-centered medical home model of care in order to manage and coordinate high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective health care services for CareFirst subscribers.” Mech is a long-time community volunteer having served on several local health-related boards, including Howard County's Board of Health and Howard County General Hospital’s Board of Trustees. In addition to the Maryland CareFirst Board of Directors, she is currently a member of the Vantage House Board of Trustees and the Nursing Advisory Board of Howard Community College. “We are very proud of Ms. Mech for being elected chair of the Maryland CareFirst Board of Directors. She epitomizes the term ‘nurse leader,’ and CareFirst has served as a staunch supporter of nurses,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I am confident that under her leadership, CareFirst will continue to champion the critical role nurses play in the transformation of health care.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Ash will serve as primary advisor on operational and strategic goals related to diversity. Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently appointed Jeffrey Ash, EdD, as UMSON’s first associate dean for diversity and inclusion. Ash joins UMSON from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he was a clinical associate professor and director of internships in the Erickson School of Management and Aging Studies. In his new role, Ash will serve as the primary advisor to UMSON’s senior academic leadership, senior administrative team, and Diversity and Inclusion Council on operational and strategic goals related to diversity. Additionally, Ash will oversee all of UMSON’s diversity and inclusion initiatives and will partner with colleagues across the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) campus to promote and execute UMB efforts related to diversity and inclusion. Ash will also serve as an assistant professor in UMSON’s Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice. “Dr. Ash is a facilitation expert in the area of diversity and inclusion. He has extensive experience teaching and working with multicultural and diverse populations at all levels and in a variety of formats in higher education,” Kirschling said. “We are very fortunate to have Dr. Ash leading our efforts as he plans, implements, and assesses goals related to diversity and inclusion within academic nursing at the University of Maryland School of Nursing.”   Ash earned a Doctor of Education degree in Urban Educational Leadership from Morgan State University; a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management Organizational Development from the University of Maryland University College; and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Towson University. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1, 700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Chair seeks to build collaborative relationships inside and outside of department. Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently appointed Associate Professor Kathleen Michael, PhD, RN, CRRN, as chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health (OSAH). Michael had been serving as interim chair since July 2015. Additionally, Michael is responsible for hiring and developing quality personnel for faculty and staff roles in the department and mentoring, advocating, and fostering their ongoing success. “I consider it a great privilege to serve the OSAH faculty and staff, and I look forward to sharing a very bright future,” Michael said. “While our department consists of a group of individuals with very specific areas of expertise, we will work in synchrony to achieve our goals. Each person has a vital role in preparing students to launch long and successful careers.”  Michael’s research has focused on gerontology. Additionally, she is knowledgeable in health services leadership and management. She earned a PhD from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing; a master’s degree in nursing leadership from Seattle Pacific University; and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Washington. “Dr. Michael has embraced this position with an open-door policy and a listening ear. She has truly demonstrated an unwavering desire to support OSAH faculty and staff members in accomplishing their goals across the University’s multiple missions,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “With her extensive experience in nursing as a staff nurse, manager, researcher, and educator − and her increasing scope and complexity of duties across a range of specialty areas − I’m confident she will be successful in leading the department.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Membership is offered for excellence in nursing and scholarship. Baltimore, Md. –The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) recently held its first fall Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing, Pi Chapter, induction ceremonies in Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). A class of 102, consisting of students and community leaders, was inducted. STTI seeks to advance world health and celebrate nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Membership is offered to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who have demonstrated excellence by scholarship. Nurses who exhibit exceptional achievements in nursing can also be invited to join via the Nurse Leadership option. “Pi Chapter is one of the oldest and largest chapters of Sigma Theta Tau in the world. We have members who are recognized globally for their accomplishments and service to nursing,” said Pi Chapter President Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, chair of the UMSON program at USG. “We are proud of our new inductees and wish them success in their ongoing scholarship, leadership, and service to the nursing profession.” Awarding membership encourages, fosters, and actively supports further professional development, thus promoting nursing scholarship, leadership, creativity, and commitment to nursing, fulfilling the purposes of STTI. Membership is conferred solely on the basis of specified eligibility. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

"You begin your careers at a time when nursing offers unparalleled possibilities,” University of Maryland School of Nursing Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, told the school’s December 2015 graduates at a Dec. 14 ceremony at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre. “This afternoon is a moment in time when we are celebrating the accomplishments of our BSN, Masters, DNP, and PhD students who have completed their degree requirements,” she said. “In addition, we must take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate one of our Baccalaureate graduates, Terri Goodman, who died unexpectedly on November 24, 2015.” Read the full story on the UMB website.    Photos from the University of Maryland School of Nursing December 2015 graduation ceremony in Baltimore may be viewed here.

The meeting in the University of Maryland BioPark showcased talks by two leading chronic pain researchers: Jeffrey Mogil, PhD, professor and Canada Research Chair in Genetics of Pain and E.P. Taylor Chair in Pain Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec; and Maixner, the Mary Lily Flagler Bingham Distinguished Professor and director of the Regional Center for Neurosensory Disorders at the School of Dentistry of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Claire Fraser, PhD, professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and director of its Institute for Genome Sciences spoke on her research on the human microbiome. The CACPR is co-directed by distinguished pain scientists Susan Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and chair of the Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, and Joel Greenspan, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Neural and Pain Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. CACPR was founded as a Universitywide organized research center to unite the robust research projects UMB scientists are conducting to examine chronic pain, across the University’s schools. Chronic pain affects at least 100 million American adults and costs as much as $560 billion to $635 billion annually in lost productivity and costs in America, according to the Institute of Medicine’s landmark 2011 report “Relieving Pain in America.” At the symposium, Maixner discussed his research into temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) as an example of chronic pain. The key to the future of chronic pain diagnosis and treatment, he said, is to enable clinicians to tailor treatments specifically to their patients’ needs. “Personalized pain medicine is the holy grail,” he said. “We find it is a very difficult task, but we are moving in that direction.” Chronic pain is an extremely dynamic condition that varies in each patient, and scientists should expect that diagnostic and therapeutic tools will have to vary as well, Maixner explained. “The kaleidoscope of signs and symptoms change as a consequence of gene and environmental interaction,” he said. Patients’ genes interact with environmental factors such as their life history, past trauma, and exposure to chemicals in a relationship that makes chronic pain patients unique from each other. Maixner discussed his research, conducted with colleagues at UMB, that is identifying innovative ways to identify chronic pain patients and sort them into predictive groups by degree of severity. One of his important findings is that a patient’s sensitivity to pressure pain seems to correlate with the onset of TMD in many patients. He and his colleagues also have identified a number of genes that could help determine what type of illness a patient has and what treatments might work best. Finding new genetic or environmental measures that could help identify patients early and predict the onset and severity of their condition paves the way for treatments uniquely designed for each type of patient, he noted.  “I think we’re really on the verge,” he said. Mogil spoke about the sex-based difference in pain and pain research. He discussed the fundamental question of the sexes in pain treatment and research – which gender is more sensitive to pain? Research has found that women report more pain than men, but there might be other reasons for that – maybe women are more aware of their own bodies, or develop pain conditions at higher rates. “This debate is misguided,” Mogil said. The true issue in studying pain and the genders is the extreme prevalence of male animals and humans in pain research, Mogil explained. Seventy-nine percent of basic science studies in pain use male rodents, according to a 2005 paper Mogil and colleagues published in the journal Pain. “I think this is a scandal,” Mogil said. “It is an ethical problem of very high degree.” Scientists still persist in using male mice, even since the 2005 study, Mogil said. Most researchers explain “they are afraid if they switch over to female rodents their research will be bedeviled by … fluctuating gonadal hormone levels,” Mogil explained. In fact, Mogil’s Pain study found that there is more hormonal fluctuation in male mice than in female. The explanation is that male mice have hormonal changes as they fight for dominance in the laboratory cages. “What everyone is afraid of is empirically false,” he said. The failure to switch to both genders of mice “is a matter of pure inertia, and that, of course, is what’s unethical,” Mogil explained. The implications of using only one gender of animal model in pain research are alarming, he said. Research that Mogil and colleagues published in 2004 found that a drug combining morphine and dextromethorphan in pain control – a drug that had shown promise in male-only studies – was completely ineffective in female mice. Another of Mogil’s studies found that both humans and mice are more sensitive to pain in the laboratory setting if their experimenter is male. This sex-based difference seems to be a response to the chemical signals that indicate the presence of testosterone in both humans and mice. Further study has found that human women, but not men, are stressed by the compound, 3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid, that indicate testosterone in sweat. These differences between the genders indicate that many other significant difference may exist, still undiscovered, Mogil said. This potential highlights the need for research on both genders, not just one. “One of these days we will be able to find drugs that work in one sex and not the other,” he said. Fraser explained the basics of the study of the human microbiome, the microbes that live on and in the human body, interacting with the human genome to produce results that science doesn’t entirely understand. About 90 percent of the cells that human beings carry are microbial cells – just 10 percent are human. Ninety-nine percent of those microbial cells exist in the gastrointestinal tract, the area that Fraser studies. Fraser was part of the 2006 meetings at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that established the Human Microbiome Project, a multimillion-dollar, five-year NIH initiative that began in 2008 and involved many researchers from the Institute for Genome Sciences. The project formed the foundation for the current understanding of the complicated, intricate relationship between human genes and the microbes in our bodies. “We and our microbial partners represent a co-evolved ecosystem that exists for the benefit of both of us,” she said. Microbes perform critical roles such as aiding in digestion, fueling metabolism, producing vitamins, maintaining the immune system, defending against pathogens, and influencing behavior. Fraser and her colleagues have been examining probiotics and their potential to make changes in the gut microbiome, and what those changes would mean for overall health. The field of research has potential in many areas of medicine, including chronic pain, she said. “This field is still very much in its infancy,” Fraser explained. The days of examining only the host genome – that of the human body – are over. Now science must consider environmental factors and the microbiome as well. “It is important to take a more holistic view of human health,” she said. 

Program recognizes professionally accomplished women 40 and younger in Maryland. ‌‌Baltimore, Md. – Robyn Gilden, PhD ‘10, MS ‘01, RN, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been named one of The Daily Record’s 2015 Leading Women. Fifty women were chosen by a panel of judges from nearly 200 nominees. The Daily Record launched the Leading Women awards program in 2010, in recognition of women in the state of Maryland, age 40 or younger, who have had tremendous accomplishments in their careers. Recipients must have demonstrated that they are professionally accomplished and have a commitment to community service and inspiring change. "I feel so blessed to be honored by The Daily Record, but I know that I didn’t accomplish this all on my own,” Gilden said.  “If it were not for all of the hard work and dedication of my colleagues and mentors, I would not be where I am today. They deserve to be part of this award as well."  At UMSON, Gilden teaches environmental health to both undergraduate and graduate students, with a focus on raising their awareness about important, insidious issues, and encouraging them to take action. She also mentors with the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environment’s Steering Committee and Research Work Group. In addition, Gilden volunteers with the American Public Health Association’s Environment and Public Health Nursing sections and the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. “Dr. Gilden has devoted her career to inspiring change, both within the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the community, through education, research, and advocacy.  Through her efforts, she has made a sustained impact on the state of Maryland,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “We are very proud of Dr. Gilden for being recognized as one of The Daily Record’s Leading Women and as a leader in the health care field.”  # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Professional development program focuses on state’s social, economic, and environmental issues. Baltimore, Md. –Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing, recently completed Leadership Maryland’s professional development program, dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders. Leadership Maryland honored Kirschling and the rest of the Class of 2015 at its 23rd annual graduation ceremony held Dec. 8 at the Lord Baltimore Hotel.  The Lutherville resident was one of 47 applicants chosen by a selection committee to complete Leadership Maryland’s eight-month, hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic, and environmental issues. The Class of 2015 reflects a cross-section of the state, including diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity, and gender. “We are honored to welcome the Class of 2015 to our alumni family,” said Renée M. Winsky, president and chief executive officer, Leadership Maryland. “These exceptional individuals have dedicated more than 130 hours of their time over the past eight months to learning about the key issues, people and places that make up each region of our state. Now that they’ve graduated, we challenge these leaders to use this knowledge and experience to become forces for meaningful change in their communities, both professionally and personally.”  Leadership Maryland is open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in their careers and/or their communities. Members of the program have demonstrated a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and have a personal commitment to promoting a positive change in their organizations, communities, and the state. “I am thankful for being selected to Leadership Maryland to participate in a program that centers on improving the quality of life for the residents of Maryland,” Kirschling said. “It was a very rewarding experience to meet with some of Maryland’s top decision makers and explore real solutions to better our communities economically, environmentally, and socially.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Dean pledges School will train future health professionals to address health issues tied to climate change. Baltimore, Md. – Today, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) announced that it has joined the Global Health Educators Climate Commitment, joining 117 other schools from across the world to ensure their students, the next generation of health professionals, are prepared through education to effectively address the health impacts of climate change and to ensure that the world has a cadre of climate change and health experts. UMSON was one of the original schools to sign on earlier this year. Climate change is no longer a problem for future generations – we are already feeling its effects in every corner of our nation and across the globe, which threatens our economic and national security and our health. No country is immune, and therefore all countries must act together, and that is what the Paris climate negotiations are all about. Today’s commitments reinforce how vast the impacts of climate change are and how great the opportunity to join together and address this problem together is.  Deans who signed the Global Health Educators Climate Commitment have pledged to educate the health professionals of tomorrow, ensuring that they are fully prepared to address all health risks, including those resulting from the impacts of climate change. Future health professionals must have the competencies needed to address the health needs of various communities and its patients, both now and into the foreseeable future. “The University of Maryland School of Nursing is fully committed to ensuring that its faculty effectively educates the next generation of nursing professionals to address the health impacts of climate change,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We welcome the opportunity to be a part of this global initiative and are committed to strengthening the knowledge base in the area of climate and health from a position of the best science and academic rigor.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Assistant professor recognized for contributions to cardiovascular and stroke nursing and health. Baltimore, Md. –N. Jennifer Klinedinst, PhD, MPH, RN, assistant professor, was inducted as an international fellow of the American Heart Association (AHA) during the annual Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing (CVSN) Awards dinner held in Orlando, Nov. 10.  Klinedinst, a member of CVSN, and other fellows, were recognized for their outstanding contributions to cardiovascular and stroke nursing and health, and volunteer leadership and service to AHA and/or the American Stroke Association.  Kliendinst has worked tirelessly to engage at-risk, older adults about long-term, heart-healthy behaviors, including physical activity, improved diet, and adherence to lipid-lowering medications that decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Her research has focused on the recognition and treatment of post-stroke depressive symptoms. Klinedinst has examined the importance of assessing and discussing post-stroke depressive symptoms with both stroke survivors and their families, as families and stroke survivors are not always congruent in their assessment and interpretation of the depressive symptoms. “It is an honor to be elected as a fellow,  as I am committed to building healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke,” Klinedinst said. “I'm grateful that my work is being recognized, and I am looking forward to continuing to move the science forward by exploring  ways to reduce post-stroke depression and serving with my dedicated stroke nursing colleagues at AHA.” CVSN seeks to accelerate the discovery, translation and application of knowledge to promote and improve overall cardiovascular health. Its efforts focus on contributing nursing’s biopsychosocial expertise to AHA’s global agenda to promote ideal cardiovascular health, quality of life, and heart-healthy lifestyles and environments. “Dr. Klinedinst is a well-respected cardiovascular researcher, educator, and clinician who has made a major impact on cardiovascular nursing practice and in the classroom. We are very fortunate to have her on the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Nursing,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing. “It is wonderful to see Dr. Klinedinst being recognized by the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing for her many years of service and contributions to improved cardiovascular health.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Associate dean is responsible for operational, financial, and administrative leadership. Baltimore, Md. – William Gardiner has been named associate dean for administration and finance for the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and School of Dentistry. Gardiner has worked for the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) since 1999. As associate dean for administration and finance, Gardiner is serving in a senior-level role as he provides operational, financial and administrative leadership for both schools. Previously, Gardiner worked in several clinical departments within the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). He most recently worked in UMSOM’s pediatrics department. “Mr. Gardiner has built an impressive track record during his 16 years at UMB. We are very excited to have him on our team and look forward to his leadership as the chief administrative and financial officer of the Schools of Dentistry and Nursing,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “With his strong background in finance and administration, I am confident that the financial futures of both schools are in great hands.” Gardiner earned his master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Baltimore; and his bachelor’s degree in accounting from DeSales University. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Interim director to manage daily operations of clinical education and evaluation laboratory. Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently named Nancy Budd Culpepper interim director of the Clinical Education and Evaluation Lab (CEEL). Culpepper has been a faculty member since 2001. In her new role, Culpepper is responsible for managing the daily operations of the clinical education laboratory; and developing and implementing standardized participant (SP) training, research projects, and presentations. Additionally, Culpepper collaborates and establishes effective partnerships with the faculty in managing and evaluating student standardized participant encounters. “Ms. Culpepper’s contribution to supporting the training of health professionals is significant and her management of all aspects of the functioning of the SP program is invaluable in this time of transition,” said Kathryn Montgomery, PhD ‘97, RN, NEA-BC, associate professor, and chair, Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice. The CEEL, a joint venture between UMSON and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, seeks to provide an innovative setting for students to enhance clinical skills or participate in a formative or summative evaluation process. It is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the evaluation, assessment, and teaching of clinical skills. Services provided in the lab include clinical skills evaluation, communication skills assessment, and clinical teaching programs for nursing, medicine, and other health professions.   “Over the years, I have seen SP methodology develop into a credible and valid tool for learning and assessment,” Culpepper said. “Under Kathy Schaivone’s leadership, we built and grew the Clinical Education and Evaluation Laboratory into a center that provides more than 7,000 student contact hours each year.  I would like to continue this growth by fully realizing the goal of creating a human simulation learning and assessment resource center for the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) campus and the surrounding community. I look forward to directing this mission and working with the UMB community to integrate SP experiences into a wider variety of education and training settings.”  # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Research team to examine regulations and training for long-term care facilities.  Baltimore, Md. – Alison M. Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, BSN, RN, FAAN, professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a grant from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The award is a two-year, $296,700 grant for the research project Long-Term Care Training and Provider Regulations for Optimal Resident Outcomes. Trinkoff, who is serving as the project’s principal investigator, is also teaming with UMSON faculty members Nancy B. Lerner, DNP, RN, CDONA, assistant professor, and Carla Storr, ScD, MPH, professor; Kihye Han, PhD ‘11, RN, assistant professor, Chung-Ang Red Cross University College of Nursing, Seoul; UMSON doctoral candidate Bo Kyum Yang MSN, RN; and consultant Ayse P. Gurses, PhD, MS, associate professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. As the U.S. experiences a sharp increase in elderly citizens, the demand for residential long-term care services will continue to rise. Currently, residential long-term care is a $357-billion industry that houses more than 2-million residents. The two major sectors providing care are nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALF).  However, nursing homes are no longer the only residential long-term care (LTC) option for the elderly. With the volume and complexity of care needed for the elderly, the demand for alternative residential models has increased; with many older adults now opting to reside in ALFs. Many states have minimal training and education requirements for assisted living personnel, and there is no nationwide program for facility inspections or data to evaluate the quality of care. In contrast, nursing homes are federally regulated and are required to report outcomes. The research team aims to identify areas where nursing homes and ALFs (e.g., populations and needs, and facility characteristics) provide evidence to support regulatory recommendations and ultimately improve care for all LTC residents. "I am very grateful to NCBSN for awarding us this funding to continue our team's important work on the relationship of long-term care regulations and resident outcomes,” Trinkoff said. “Many states have minimal training and education requirements for assisted living personnel. We plan to shed more light on what is happening in assisted living facilities.” NCBSN is a non-profit organization that provides education, service, and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Grant supports implementation of IOM recommendations. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been awarded a $150,000 State Implementation Program (SIP) grant through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AARP. UMSON’s grant is in effect from November 2015 through January 2017. SIP grants were created to support the implementation of the state Campaign for Action Coalitions of the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations outlined in its 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Through this award, UMSON seeks to streamline academic progression in Maryland by increasing the percentage of nurses who are Bachelor of Science in Nursing-prepared, and enhancing diversity and inclusiveness in nursing. Associate and baccalaureate degree programs in the state will work in tandem to review the Maryland RN-to-BSN articulation agreement and revise and refine the document to reflect the exciting work currently occurring around academic progression. This project will continue the work of UMSON’s previous SIP “Dual Enrollment Model” grant from 2013-15. There will also be a focus on developing a Maryland Action Coalition Diversity and Inclusivity Strategic Plan.  In implementing this plan, a taskforce of key stakeholders will convene to examine best practices within Maryland, craft a mission and vision statement, and develop an outcomes-based strategic plan to guide Maryland Action Coalition initiatives.  “This is an important work that will ensure a smoother path for academic progression and the development of a diverse, inclusive, and representative workforce.  It is a work that needs the support of the entire nursing community,” said UMSON’s SIP Program Director Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ‘93, RN, associate professor and chair of UMSON’s program at the Universities at Shady Grove.  “It is all about guaranteeing that people who interact with the health care system have the best care from the best nurses.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

‌‌‌Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently named Barbara Dobish, MSN, RN, assistant professor, as interim director of the RN-to-BSN option and Nina Trocky, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CCRA, assistant professor, as interim associate dean for the baccalaureate program. “Dr. Trocky and Ms. Dobish are both well-respected members of the UMSON faculty and have made invaluable contributions to our nursing program,” Kirschling said. “Ms. Dobish has a deep understanding of the needs of the RN-to-BSN program and is a proven leader. Dr. Trocky has been instrumental in developing partnerships with local nursing programs and in helping to set UMSON’s entry-level curriculum. I am confident that both of them will continue to help advance the mission of the School.” In her new role, Dobish oversees curriculum development, student progression, didactic instruction, and academic advising. Dobish, who has been on the faculty since 1991, will also be heavily involved in student recruitment, selection, and advisement. “My goal is to step in and continue the work that has already been underway and to help move the program forward,” Dobish said. “I am excited to be working to expand the RN-to-BSN option, along with some of the new and exciting opportunities for enrollment into our program. I enjoy working with the students and am looking forward to helping them continue to thrive.” Trocky, who most recently served as the director of the RN-to-BSN program, has been a faculty member since 2006. In her new role, Trocky stays abreast of and advises on a wide array of academic issues and policies impacting the baccalaureate program. “I am proud to serve as interim associate dean of the baccalaureate program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. I look forward to maintaining the academic rigor of our revised curriculum, supporting our faculty in teaching our diverse student body, and contributing to the broader educational experiences our future nurses,” Trocky said. “Our BSN graduates have become leaders within the health care system and I want to contribute to our program’s continued success.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Council members seek to serve the professional needs of graduate nursing students. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has selected doctoral student Stacey Iobst, BSN ‘07, RNC-OB, C-EFM, to the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) Leadership Council. Iobst will serve a two-year term. Members of the Council will help develop future strategic goals by providing advice on services and programming for the GNSA. It will also help serve the professional development needs of graduate nursing students as they prepare for careers in the field. The Council, which consists of four PhD students, three Doctor of Nursing Practice students, and three master’s students, are from across the country.   “It is an honor to represent my fellow nursing students as a member of GNSA’s inaugural Leadership Council,” Iobst said. “In this role I would like to bolster efforts to recruit nurses with strong leadership skills to graduate nursing programs around the country. I would also like to explore opportunities for nurses to conduct interdisciplinary education within the graduate school setting.” The GNSA provides high value programs, services, and resources to nursing students enrolled in master's and doctoral programs. Formed by AACN in 2012, the GNSA continues to experience significant growth. It helps meet the professional development needs of graduate nursing students as they prepare for careers as faculty members, researchers, advanced practice registered nurses, policy experts, health care administrators, and other roles in nursing leadership. Membership in the GNSA is open to graduate students enrolled in AACN-affiliated schools. “We are excited that Stacey has been selected to be a part of a group of outstanding emerging leaders,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I’m looking forward to seeing the work that the Leadership Council does in helping to develop programs and resources that serve the expressed needs of the more than 110,000 nursing students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs in the U.S.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Ogbolu will ensure the Office of Global Health’s activities are aligned with UMSON’s strategic plan.  Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently announced the appointment of Assistant Professor Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD ‘11, MS ‘05, BSN ’04, CRNP-Neonatal, as director of the Office of Global Health (OGH). She previously served as deputy director of OGH. During her tenure at UMSON, Ogbolu has led the School’s efforts in West Africa and has been instrumental in its global health efforts with local and international stakeholders. She routinely engages with international regulatory agencies, universities, and ministries of health. In her new role, Ogbolu is responsible for expanding established relationships, programs and partnerships, and ensuring that the OGH’s activities are aligned with UMSON’s strategic goals.  “Developing global health nurses, leaders, and interprofessional teams who are well-prepared to address critical health challenges that transcend national boundaries is one of the most important priorities for this generation because of the world’s increasing interconnectedness,” Ogbolu said.  “It is an honor to serve as director of the School’s global health initiatives and to continue collaborations with local, national, and international colleagues who are committed to advancing health equity and population health locally and globally.” Ogbolu’s research focuses on newborn health disparities across the globe, cultural competencies for health professionals and organizations, and building nursing capacities through partnerships with schools of nursing. Additionally, she has led the development of partnerships with multiple universities in Africa through collective engagement, and has served as an expert reviewer for the World Health Organization in developing a curriculum for implementing science research for health professionals in developing countries. Ogbolu was a 2014 recipient of the Minority Nurses Association of Maryland’s Harriet Tubman Legacy in Maternal Child Health Nursing Award. In addition, she was named a University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Champion of Excellence in 2013, and received UMB’s Outstanding Faculty Award, a MLK Diversity Award, in 2014. “As the nurse leader of the Office of Global Health’s interprofessional team, Dr. Ogbolu has been instrumental in helping advance UMSON’s global health agenda,” Kirschling said.  “She is well-regarded by her colleagues locally, nationally and internationally, for her collaborative nature and passion for improving health care in underserved nations. I’m looking forward to her leadership of the Office of Global Health.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

New director is overseeing the simulation program, curricula, and expansion of faculty.  Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently announced that Amy Daniels, MS ‘12, BSN ’89, RN, has been named director of UMSON’s Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Laboratories. Daniels, a certified health care simulation educator, had served as assistant director of the labs since 2012. In her new role, Daniels oversees UMSON’s simulation program and is responsible for its curricula; expansion of interprofessional faculty development and simulation and debriefing; and increasing opportunities for interprofessional simulation experiences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. “I consider it a privilege and honor to be appointed to this position. I am reminded daily of the wealth of resources in these labs and I realize what an amazing opportunity this is to provide our students and community with rich learning experiences,” Daniels said. Daniels received her formal training in simulation and debriefing at the instructor and advanced instructor levels from the Center for Medical Simulation, Harvard University. Her research focuses on psychologically safe learning environments within the context of debriefing and its impact on nursing students’ abilities to critically reflect on practice. She has also been named a National League for Nursing LEAD Scholar and a New Nurse Faculty Fellow. “Amy brings valuable experience and preparation as a simulation educator to this position. While serving as assistant director, she gained extensive working knowledge of the labs that will serve her well in providing leadership for the clinical simulation labs in her new role as director,” said Kathryn Montgomery, PhD ‘97, RN, NEA-BC, associate professor, and chair, Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Inductees have made significant research contributions to the profession and the people it serves. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Susan G. Dorsey, PhD ‘01, MS ’98, RN, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, and Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, were recently inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. They were among 19 nurse researchers inducted at the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing’s 26th International Nursing Research Congress held recently in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Created in 2010, the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame is one of STTI’s International Awards for Nursing Excellence. The award recognizes nurse researchers who have achieved significant and sustained broad national or international recognition for their work, and whose research has impacted the profession and the people it serves.   ‌Dorsey’s research examines the molecular, cellular, and genetic factors associated with the development and persistence of chronic pain. More people suffer from chronic pain than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined, making this a research study of great importance.  Although people who suffer from chronic pain cost the U.S. more than $600 billion annually, there are few effective treatments that can reduce or eliminate chronic pain without significantly disrupting a person’s quality of life. Dorsey’s team seeks to remedy this problem. ‌Resnick’s research has exclusively focused on caring for older adults. She examines methods of optimizing function and physical activity among older adults and their caregivers in long-term care settings.  Additionally, Resnick and her team have been investigating techniques to motivate older adults in their recovery from acute medical events. Resnick’s Function Focused Care approach has been disseminated nationally through publications and presentations.  “We are very proud of our colleagues, Dr. Dorsey and Dr. Resnick, for receiving this distinguished honor,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Dr. Dorsey’s groundbreaking work in pain research and Dr. Resnick’s seminal studies in gerontology have had a major impact on the nursing profession, which aligns with STTI’s mission of advancing world health.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Initiative seeks to boost number of nurses holding PhDs. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that students Alisha Hackney, BSN ‘13, RN, and Stacey Iobst, BSN ‘07, RNC-OB, C-EFM, are among 46 nurses to receive the prestigious Future of Nursing Scholars program award to support their PhD study. Their scholarships are being funded by Johnson & Johnson and were awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). A multi-funder leadership program spearheaded by RWJF, the Future of Nursing Scholars program aims to increase the number of nurses holding PhDs in Maryland and around the country. The Institute of Medicine has recommended that there be more PhD-prepared nurses, resulting in an increase in the number of nurse leaders, nurse-led science and discovery, and high-quality educators preparing the next generation of nurses. Less than one percent of the nation’s more than 3 million nurses have PhDs in nursing or a related field.  In addition, the average age at which nurses get their PhDs in the United States is 46, which is 13 years older than PhD earners in other fields. This program will provide an incentive for nurses to start PhD programs earlier so that they can have long leadership careers after earning their degrees. Hackney intends to focus her research on the pathophysiology of labor and delivery, an interest that she developed during her senior year in the UMSON’s BSN program. Prior to beginning the PhD program, Hackney was a clinical nurse in the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Adult Emergency Department. Iobst intends to focus her research on improving maternity care through strategies such as quality measurement, patient education, and provider education. Iobst was a nurse on the Labor and Delivery Unit at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD, prior to beginning the PhD program. The Future of Nursing Scholars program provides grants to schools of nursing, so they can provide scholarships to PhD candidates who will commit to completing the program in three years. Hackney and Iobst will receive an award of $75,000, as well as mentoring and leadership development over the course of the PhD program. “We are excited that two of our students will be a part of this prestigious program. The funding support from Johnson & Johnson for the RWJF Future of Nursing Scholar program offers much-needed assistance for our goal of educating the next generation of nursing leaders, and we thank the organization for its continued generosity,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. In addition to RWJF and Johnson & Johnson, Inc., Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, and the Rhode Island Foundation are supporting the Future of Nursing Scholars grants to schools of nursing this year. The Future of Nursing Scholars program was launched in 2014 with an inaugural cohort of 16 scholars.  This new cohort brings the number of nurses it is supporting to 62. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Friedmann to serve third stint as the Society’s chief executive officer. Baltimore, Md. – Erika Friedmann, PhD, professor and associate dean of research, University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been elected president of the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ).  She served as the Society’s inaugural president from 1991-1995 and again from 2007-2011. As ISAZ’s president, Friedmann functions as the organization’s chief executive officer.  She is responsible for the general management of ISAZ, which includes convening all meetings, signing contracts and checks, and ensuring all orders and resolutions of its board are carried out. “I just returned from our annual meeting and continue to be impressed with the number of new researchers, the diversity of topics, and the high quality of research in human-animal interactions (HAI),” Friedmann said.  “I’m excited to have the opportunity to expand the activities of the Society and to mentor junior scholars to become HAI leaders of the future.”   Friedmann is a founding member of ISAZ and is a member of the editorial board of Anthrozoos, the Society’s research journal.  She has contributed more than 150 papers to scientific journals, and collaborates and consults with researchers worldwide on anthrozoological research. ISAZ is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization with a worldwide, multi-disciplinary membership of students, scholars, and interested professionals. It promotes academic, scientific, and scholarly research into all aspects of HAI, and fosters interaction between HAI researchers on an international basis.  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Project focuses on establishing interprofessional collaborative primary care practice that serves an ethnically diverse population. Baltimore, Md. – Susan M. Antol, MS ’79, RN, assistant professor and director, Governor’s Wellmobile and School-based Wellness Programs, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a $1,007,076 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The three-year grant will fund the project, Bridging Interprofessional Collaborative Practice and Education with Integrated Care through a Medical Neighborhood.   In collaboration with the University of Maryland (UM) Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Social Work, Antol and her UMSON team will implement an interprofessional collaborative practice  that will serve as a clinical education site for students in the UM health professional schools and examine improved methods for providing care to residents served by the Governor’s Wellmobile Program. The Wellmobile is a nurse-managed, mobile-health clinic that provides primary care to thousands of the state’s most vulnerable residents. It delivers mobile nurse-managed, primary care services to the medically underserved and ethnically diverse populations in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Members of this population are often foreign-born, Latino, non-English speaking, and/or uninsured. Approximately 60 percent of these patients suffer from one or more chronic illnesses, which include hypertension, Type II diabetes, or obesity.  Antol’s team aims to better serve these patients by establishing an advanced primary care, interprofessional, collaborative practice in the Wellmobile clinic that integrates a family medicine physician, clinical pharmacist, and bilingual outreach worker into the existing nurse-managed faculty practice. “Implementing a nurse-managed interprofessional collaborative practice team on the Governor’s Wellmobile enables us to travel to our patients to meet their needs, in conjunction with community-collaborative partnerships,” Antol said. “This great opportunity focuses on a team effort that will allow the Wellmobile Program to accomplish what we’ve needed and wanted to do for a long time. Our long-range goal is to positively impact health care experiences, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs, which is consistent with the Affordable Care Act’s Triple Aim. We now stand ready to deliver this promise.” HRSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is the primary federal agency for improving access to health care by strengthening its workforce, building healthy communities, and achieving health equity.   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Program is tailored to aspiring and new deans. Baltimore, Md. –Joan Davenport, PhD ‘00, RN, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been selected to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Leadership for Academic Nursing Program (LANP). The program will be held July 26-30 in Albuquerque, NM. LANP is an executive leadership fellowship sponsored by AACN and tailored specifically for new and aspiring deans. The program is designed to prepare a more diverse, younger pool of leaders to shepherd nursing programs across the globe. This professional development experience encompasses an assessment and evaluation of leadership skills, opportunities for strategic networking and case development, consultation for achieving long-term goals, and identification of key partnerships. “I am very excited about participating in AACN's Leadership for Academic Nursing program. This premier academic leadership intensive brings together an amazing group of diverse leaders from the nursing community, which will make for an invaluable experience,” Davenport said. “I am looking forward to networking with faculty members from across the country, exploring lessons learned by these colleagues, and sharing best practices, which will help grow my leadership skills and bring a refined perspective back to my work at the School of Nursing.” Each year since 2002, 40 fellows have been selected to participate in the program. During the program, fellows have their current leadership style and skills critiqued, are presented with mentoring opportunities with an experienced dean, and work to accomplish identified goals. Fellows are vetted through a competitive application process before selection. AACN is a unique asset for the nation that serves the public interest by setting standards, providing resources, and developing the leadership capacity of member schools to advance nursing education, research, and practice. By 2020, as a driving force for quality health care, AACN will leverage member schools in meeting the demand for innovation and leadership in nursing education, research, and practice. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Grants will help increase number of well-prepared nurses in Maryland. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that five faculty members have been awarded Nurse Support Program II (NSP II) grants through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). Vanessa Fahie, PhD ’94, BSN ’76, RN, assistant professor ($101,000); Patricia Franklin, PhD, RN, assistant professor and director of professional education ($2,500,000); Janice Hoffman, PhD ’06, RN, ANEF, associate professor and assistant dean for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program ($412,682); Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS, ’03, CRNP, CCRN, associate professor and assistant dean for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program ($470,659); and Louise S. Jenkins, PhD ’85, MS ‘81, RN, FAHA, ANEF, professor and director of the Institute for Educators in Nursing and Health Professions ($1,579,097), all received grants to assist with the funding of various programs. NSP II grants aid in increasing the capacity of nurses in Maryland by implementing statewide initiatives to grow the number of nurses prepared to function effectively in faculty roles. MHEC offers a number of educational grant programs funded by state general funds, special funds, and federal funds. The programs are designed to address Maryland’s economic and workforce development needs, campus reform initiatives, student preparation for post-secondary education, faculty and student diversity goals, and teacher professional development objectives. “The NSP II grants will provide our School with the necessary resources to increase the number of nurse educators in Maryland who are tasked with successfully preparing the nursing workforce of the future,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “Thanks to the generosity of the Maryland Higher Education Commission, which funds these awards, we can continue to attract high-quality nurse educators who encourage innovative approaches in addressing the challenges and demands that face nurses in the workforce.” MHEC seeks to ensure that the people of Maryland have access to a high-quality, diverse, adequately funded, effectively managed, and capably led system of post-secondary education. It accomplishes this mission through the provision of statewide planning, leadership, coordination, and advocacy for the state's post-secondary educational institutions and through the administration of state financial aid programs. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

‌The summer '15 edition of the University of Maryland School of Nursing Magazine, nursing for|um, is now available online. Click here to read it!

Funding will aid anesthesia students with cost of tuition, books, and fees. ‌Baltimore, Md. – Joseph E. Pellegrini, PhD, CRNA, associate professor and director of the Nurse Anesthesia specialty at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for a nurse anesthetist traineeship program. HRSA provides UMSON with the grant annually in the amount of $39, 741. The purpose of the trainee program is to produce a more culturally competent and sensitive Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) workforce through proper education. The grant supports the education of nurse anesthesia students who have pledged to serve the medically underserved upon graduation. Approximately 30 percent of all nurse anesthesia programs receive funding through this grant. Through the program, full-time students enrolled in UMSON’s CRNA specialty will have the cost of their tuition, books, and fees covered. Graduates of the program will be eligible for the nurse anesthesia certification examination.  “The School of Nursing has received this grant for the past eight years, which has helped generate approximately $230,000 in support for our students,” Pellegrini said.  “This grant is important because it helps offset the significant financial burden undertaken by our students since they cannot work while they are matriculating in the program. It also helps produce CRNAs that are well-prepared to work in a variety of medically underserved areas across the country.”  HRSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is the primary federal agency for improving access to health care by strengthening its workforce, building healthy communities, and achieving health equity.  Its programs provide health care to people who are geographically isolated, or economically or medically vulnerable. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Resnick will assume presidency for 2016-17. Baltimore, Md. – Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was recently voted president-elect of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). She will take on the new role beginning in November. Resnick will serve as president-elect in 2015-2016, and then become president for the 2016-2017 term. GSA officers are responsible for overseeing the governance and strategic planning of the organization while representing the Society’s four membership sections and its Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization. “Dr. Resnick is a prolific researcher, scholar, and mentor who has received numerous awards for her work in gerontology,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She is an excellent and deserving choice for this leadership role, as it will allow her the opportunity to shape national health policy in this critical area. We are very pleased that Dr. Resnick will be continuing our School’s strong tradition of producing faculty members and graduates who are committed to providing professional service and leadership at the highest levels.” Founded in 1945, GSA is a multidisciplinary organization devoted to research and education in all aspects of gerontology, which include medical, biological, psychological and social. It is the driving force behind the advancement of gerontology, both domestically and internationally. The Society believes that the intersection of research from diverse areas is the best way to achieve the greatest impact and promote healthy aging. “I am honored to serve in the role of GSA’s president-elect, and in the future, as its president.  GSA has the opportunity to be a leader in interdisciplinary work in the areas of gerontology and geriatrics, including educational aspects, research, practice and policy,” Resnick said. “I believe GSA can serve as a strong leader in bench to bedside translation, and can be an example of how this can be accomplished. GSA has the opportunity to expand in the area of dissemination research while leading our members to disseminate and help appropriate individuals in settings of care to implement evidence-based interventions nationally and internationally.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Friedmann will lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of research and scholarship goals.  Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently announced the appointment of Professor Erika Friedmann, PhD, as associate dean of research. In her new role, Friedmann will provide leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies for achieving research and scholarship goals. Friedmann, a professor in UMSON’s Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, teaches research methods and statistics to PhD students. Her research focuses on the contributions of social, psychological, and physiological contributors to cardiovascular health. Her research provided the first link between pet ownership and cardiovascular health. Through her research, Friedmann found that pet owners are more likely to survive one year after being hospitalized for heart disease than those who do not own pets.  “Dr. Friedmann has been serving as the interim associate dean since November and has done a wonderful job sustaining the excellence of our research efforts,” Kirschling said. “With her depth of knowledge and experience, I am confident that the research program is in great hands under her leadership as she continues to collaborate with faculty members at the School of Nursing, and inter-professionally across the University, to further advance our research agenda.”  Friedmann was a founding member of the International Society for Anthrozoology, served as the Society’s first president, and is a member of its editorial board. She has contributed more than 150 papers to scientific journals, and collaborates and consults with researchers worldwide on anthrozoological research. Friedmann earned her PhD and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. “I am overwhelmed by the support I have received as I entered this position.  I look forward to working with the School’s administration, faculty, staff, and students to enhance our research and scholarship,” Friedmann said. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON was compliant on all standards reviewed. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that its baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate advanced practice registered nurse certificate programs have been granted a 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). During the accreditation process, CCNE visitors examined the quality and integrity of the nursing programs at UMSON.  Throughout its evaluation, CCNE focused on four standards of program quality and effectiveness: mission and governance, resources, curriculum, and program outcomes. CCNE found UMSON to be compliant on all standards reviewed. Highlights from CCNE’s findings include extensive representation and participation of faculty, students and staff in program governance; exemplary resources available to faculty and students; the use of a variety of teaching-learning practices with an environment to support the needs of diverse learners in an educational learning environment; and a comprehensive evaluation plan consistent with the mission, identified standards of practice, and program goals and expected program outcomes. “CCNE’s accreditation is an important method of validating the School’s ongoing quality of education and shows its commitment to faculty and student success,” said Kathleen M. Buckley, PhD, MS ’76, BSN ’73, RN, IBCLC, associate professor, who served as UMSON’s lead coordinator of the CCNE review. “This evaluation also confirms that there is oversight over the nursing program, which shows our students, alumni, and community partners that the School has accountability and integrity.” Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, CCNE is exclusively committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and master's degree programs in nursing. UMSON’s accreditation is effective through June 30, 2025. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Fellows are recognized for distinguished contributions to the field of gerontology. Baltimore, Md. – Elizabeth Galik, PhD ‘07, RN, CRNP, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been elected as a 2015 Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). Fellows are elected in recognition of distinguished contributions to the field of gerontology.   Galik’s work focuses on helping the elderly with moderate to severe cognitive impairment to optimize their functionality while decreasing behavioral symptoms. She tests the impact of interventions designed to optimize function, physical activity, mood, and behavior of long-term care residents. The Function and Behavior Focused Care approach is geared toward changing how staff members in long-term care facilities provide care to residents with dementia by teaching them how to evaluate and optimize the residents' underlying physical capabilities. This approach also trains staff on how to safely and effectively engage residents in personal care and physical activity. “Dr. Galik has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of gerontology through practice, research, and education. She is passionate about teaching and is an advocate of helping all students succeed and achieve at their highest potential,” said Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology at UMSON. “Dr. Galik is a true leader in interdisciplinary education in geriatrics and exemplifies the high standards associated with the GSA Fellowship.”  Founded in 1945, GSA is the driving force behind the advancement of gerontology, both domestically and internationally.  GSA fosters collaboration between biologists, health professionals, policymakers, and behavioral and social scientists. The Society believes that the intersection of research from diverse areas is the best way to achieve the greatest impact and promote healthy aging. "I am honored to be inducted as a Fellow of GSA. I have benefitted from my membership with GSA ever since I was a doctoral student in 2003,” Galik said. “I look forward to collaborating with my interdisciplinary colleagues to advance gerontological research."  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Award recognizes outstanding critical-care nurses. Baltimore, Md. – Kathryn T. Von Rueden, MS, RN, CNS-BC, FCCM, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and clinical nurse specialist at the University of Maryland Medical Center’s R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, was one of 25 nursing professionals recently honored with the 2015 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Circle of Excellence Award. AACN recognized the award winners at its National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition, held May 18-21 in San Diego. The award is given annually to up to 25 outstanding nurses nationwide for achieving excellent outcomes in the care of acutely and critically-ill patients and their families. Circle of Excellence recipients have demonstrated a relentless promotion of patient-driven excellence; communication skills; true collaboration; effective decision making; and meaningful recognition of others.  “Kathryn Von Rueden is a highly-respected critical-care nurse who has demonstrated the ability to transform thinking, structures, and processes in addressing challenges within her field,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. "We are so proud to see her receive this national recognition, which is an acknowledgment of her sustained leadership and excellence in this important area of nursing practice." Established in 1969, AACN is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. It joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical-care nurses and includes more than 240 chapters worldwide. The Circle of Excellence Award aligns with the Association’s mission of creating a health care system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical-care nurses make their optimal contribution. “My passion has always been in motivating, challenging, and mentoring others to excel professionally and at the bedside,” Von Rueden said. “I am very honored to have received this award and to be a part of a community of nursing professionals who are dedicated to shaping best practices and influencing the quality of care for critically ill patients.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON houses one of two simulation labs that are accredited in the Mid Atlantic. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that the Debra L. Spunt Simulation Laboratories have received accreditation in teaching and education from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). UMSON is one of only two simulation laboratories that are accredited in the Mid-Atlantic region. SSH seeks to improve performance and reduce errors in patient care through the use of simulation.  In March 2015, SSH conducted a one-day, onsite, structured review of UMSON’s simulation lab program, which entailed a survey team vetting criteria unique to UMSON’s program, with the goal of supporting efforts to improve operations and overall outcomes.  After the site visit, the survey team presented its findings to SSH’s Accreditation Board of Review. Highlights from SSH’s findings include the Board being impressed with UMSON’s debriefing workshops held for faculty 10 times each year; dedication to scholastic improvements to courses; collaboration between UMSON’s standardized patient and clinical simulation lab programs, which strengthens the learning environment; and the student-peer tutoring program. A program seeking SSH accreditation must have a minimum of two years experience in the functional area in which accreditation is sought. Additionally, programs must demonstrate compliance with core standards and fulfillment of standards applied to assessment, research, or teaching and education. Programs that have been accredited through SSH have demonstrated that they have improved health care education through the identification of best practices and recognition of practice; improved health care simulation through providing standardization and a pool of knowledge of best practices; supported education and consultation on good practices and benchmarks to improve business operations; and encouraged the sharing of best practices through education and consultation. “Simulation represents a paradigm shift in health care education. I am pleased that we are able to provide our students with unique learning opportunities in our labs through improved simulation technology, educational methods, practitioner assessment, and patient safety,” said Amy Daniels, MS ‘12, BSN ‘89, RN, CHSE, clinical instructor and interim director of UMSON’s clinical simulation laboratories. “We pride ourselves on preparing our students to provide excellent patient care, which leads to improved patient outcomes.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Hugs and tears, smiles and cheers reflected the emotions of the day as School of Nursing graduates celebrated the successful completion of their nursing degrees at Royal Farms Arena on Friday, May 15. The Class of 2015 consisted of 154 Bachelor of Science, 175 Master of Science, six PhD, and nine Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates. Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, delivered welcoming remarks, and Maureen P. McCausland, DNSc, RN, FAAN, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at MedStar Health, delivered the Convocation address. “Our society and our profession need clinical nursing leaders, from the patients’ side to the board room,” McCausland said. “Leaders must have intelligence, cognitive complexity, and a spirit of inquiry.” She urged graduates to “never lose touch with your inner nurse.” In closing she stated, “Life is only as good as you decide to make it. So stand up, be bold, and don’t let anyone else define it.” The 2015 Excellence in Teaching Awards were presented to Assistant Professor Karen Scheu, DNP ’12, FNP-BC, for excellence in graduate education, and Assistant Professor Pamela Shumate, DNP ’12, RN, CCRN, CMC, for excellence in undergraduate education. Scheu and Shumate were co-carriers of the School of Nursing mace, leading the processional and recessional. Later in the day, School of Nursing graduates participated in the University of Maryland, Baltimore Commencement ceremony at Royal Farms Arena, where Esther McCready, MM, DIN ’53, the first African-American student admitted to the School of Nursing, received an honorary doctor of public service degree. McCready gained admittance to the School after the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in her favor in April 1950. She was represented by Thurgood Marshall, who had already gained prominence for his work with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Click here to see more photos from graduation. 

An estimated 80 percent of nurses acknowledge they do not feel safe in the workplace. Baltimore, Md. – Jane Lipscomb, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, and Matt London, MS, adjunct professor, have written a book on workplace violence. Not Part of the Job: How to Take a Stand Against Violence in the Work Setting, which was recently published by the American Nurses Association (ANA), addresses workplace violence for front line nurses and health care workers. According to the ANA, 80 percent of nurses do not feel safe in the workplace. Workplace violence, a dangerous and complex occupational hazard in the modern health care work environment, presents challenges for nurses, other health care employees, management, labor unions, and regulators. However, violence from patients, visitors, and coworkers is often tolerated and explained as part of the job in the fast-paced, stressful health care delivery workplace. This book offers guidance to practicing nurses on how they can better protect themselves against a wide range of unacceptable behaviors. “This topic is personal for me because a close childhood friend, who also happened to be a nurse, was killed while at work,” Lipscomb said. “During this time period, I met with health care workers who were seriously injured by patient violence. I was determined that I wanted to do something to prevent other workers from being assaulted.” Lipscomb says the problem of workplace violence in health care and social assistance workplaces is widespread, and continues in part because of a strong reluctance to fully acknowledge and address the problem. Addressing violence in health care requires very purposeful organizational processes conducted by very specific organizational structures. Nurses who are knowledgeable about this ongoing problem often provide key leadership for organizations undertaking the development of workplace violence prevention programs, but must do so using local evidence generated at the facility level. In some cases, tools such as state regulations and federal workplace safety policies provide important impetus and support for nurses and hospitals undertaking these transformational programs. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Awardees have demonstrated exemplary achievement in one of four categories. Baltimore, Md. – Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonia Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been named a 2015 University System of Maryland (USM) Faculty Award recipient. Resnick was one of 16 award winners selected by the institutions and the USM Foundation. One of the highest honors bestowed by the Board of Regents, the Regents Faculty Awards recognize exemplary faculty achievement in public service; teaching; mentoring; or research, scholarship, and creative activity.  Awardees are selected by the Council of University System Faculty and submitted to the Board for approval. Resnick, who has been a faculty member at UMSON for more than 20 years, received the mentoring award. “During Dr. Resnick’s tenure at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, she has mentored and helped prepare countless students for the nursing workforce. She has gone above and beyond in providing her students with invaluable learning experiences through scholarship and hands-on clinical opportunities,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Dr. Resnick’s passion for fostering student development and achievement is remarkable and should be celebrated.” During her tenure at UMSON, Resnick, has served as a primary mentor to 19 funded pre-doctoral and post-doctoral students in nursing, social work, pharmacy, and medicine. All of them have gone on to academic careers. She also organizes workshops and dissemination programs, funded by the Hartford Foundation, to teach junior faculty members and students how to write articles and publish their work. Since 2010, she has published nearly 100 peer-reviewed papers, most of which are published or co-authored with mentees.  Additionally, Resnick maintains a clinical faculty practice at a continuing care retirement community in Baltimore, where she actively involves students and junior faculty members, applying theoretical principles to actual cases. “I have a philosophy that you never lose anything by giving it away and mentoring is consistent with that thought,” Resnick said. “Mentoring is a passion of mine whether it is a student or a faculty member.  I feel like a success when I’m able to watch each mentee go off on their own. It is an honor to be considered for this award among the many amazing faculty in the University’s system.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Program provides financial support, mentoring, and leadership development to nurses seeking PhD. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that it has been selected for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Future of Nursing Scholars program. UMSON is one of 25 schools of nursing nationwide to receive a grant to increase the number of nurses holding PhDs. RWJF’s program provides financial support, mentoring, and leadership development to nurses who commit to earning their PhDs in three years. UMSON is receiving its grant from Johnson and Johnson. It will select two scholars in May who will begin the Future of Nursing Scholars program this summer and their PhD studies this fall. In its landmark nursing report, the Institute of Medicine recommended that the nation double the number of nurses with doctorates by 2020; doing so will support more nurse leaders, promote nurse-led science and discovery, and put more educators in place to prepare the next generation of nurses. The Future of Nursing Scholars program is intended to help address that recommendation. “With this nation’s health care system facing significant challenges, it will take a new generation of highly-educated, bold leaders who are skilled at the bedside and in the boardroom to bring about real transformational change,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Nurses are critical to safeguarding the health of the nation and ensuring that health care is high quality, safe, and accessible. PhD-prepared nurse scientists and researchers are in an optimal position to seek and identify the solutions that will make a difference in the lives of patients and families.” Less than one percent of the nation’s 3-million-plus nurses have PhDs in nursing or a related field.  In addition, the average age at which nurses get their PhDs in the United States is 46, which is 13 years older than PhD earners in other fields. This program is seen as an incentive for nurses to start PhD programs earlier, so that they can have long leadership careers after earning their PhDs. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) chapter of the Nursing Student Government Association (NSGA), in collaboration with CulinArt Café at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), showed their appreciation to Maryland State Troopers and members of the National Guard on Wednesday, April 29. The group provided 13 complimentary boxed lunches in UMSON lunch bags to officers and guardsmen patrolling the area around UMSON during the time of unrest in Baltimore. In addition, CulinArt Café offered free coffee to all guardsmen and officers on the UMB campus during business hours. NSGA is a student organization that encourages fellowship among students, faculty, and staff by creating an atmosphere of collaboration and understanding at UMSON. It inspires professional growth by providing programs representative of fundamental and emerging trends in the field of nursing, and promotes a dynamic and diverse student body dedicated to the highest quality of health care. 

Inaugural Visionary Pioneers honored. Baltimore, Md. – A spectacular gala, held April 18 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, concluded a year of special events celebrating the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) 125th anniversary. Nearly 500 people attended the celebration, which honored the School of Nursing’s 25 inaugural Visionary Pioneers. The Visionary Pioneer Award winners are alumni who have made a significant impact on—and contribution to—the field of nursing based on leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship. During her welcome remarks, UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, thanked everyone for attending and acknowledged the event sponsors. “We gather here to celebrate this significant anniversary in the School of Nursing’s history and to give it special meaning by honoring the School’s 25 inaugural Visionary Pioneers,” said Kirschling. “I am delighted to announce that gala sponsorships and gifts, combined with the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation’s generous match of 50 cents on the dollar, have resulted in more than $274,000 raised for the 125th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship Fund.” At the end of the program, Kirschling made another major announcement – the School received the largest gift in its history, $5.2 million, from Bill and Joanne Conway through their Bedford Falls Foundation. The gift will enable the School to expand enrollment in its traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, increase opportunities for registered nurses to obtain their BSN degrees, and provide full scholarships to the 157 new Conway Scholars. Photos from the gala can be viewed and downloaded at https://www.flickr.com/photos/maryland-nursing/sets/72157649886176634. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Awards were given for 18 different categories. Baltimore, Md. – Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, and nine University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) alumnae were among the 50 nurses honored with Baltimore Magazine’s inaugural Excellence in Nursing Awards. The awards recognize registered nurses (RN) in the greater Baltimore area who go beyond the call of duty in their workplace or area of research. Nurses were nominated in 18 different categories — acute care/family practice/general medicine; cardiovascular; community care/ambulatory care; nurse educator; emergency department; hospice/home health/palliative care; intensive care; management/nurse executives; medical-surgical nursing; neurology/psychology/behavioral health; oncology; orthopedics; pediatrics: non-neonatal; pediatrics: neonatal; research; school health; senior services; and women's health. Kirschling was honored as a nurse educator. Additionally, UMSON alumnae Cynthia Arnold, MS ’95 (pediatrics: non-neonatal); Cathy Chapman, MS ’95 (acute care/family practice/general medicine); Gloria Clark, MS ’87, BSN ’82 (women's health); Mary Jo Huber, BSN ’77 (community care/ambulatory care); Megan Jendrossek, BSN ’13 (medical-surgical nursing); Vicky Kent, PhD ’96, MS ’87 (educator); Calvert Moore, MS ’11 (school health); Lisa Rowen, MS ’86 (management/nurse executives); and Joan Warren, PhD ’04, MS ’88 (research) were also recipients of the award. Baltimore Magazine’s nominations process began in May 2014, as it opened an online survey where anybody could nominate outstanding nursing professionals. Hundreds of nursing professionals were vetted by an expert panel comprised of seven RNs from the Maryland Nurses Association before the 50 awardees were selected.   “The Baltimore metropolitan region is fortunate to have an abundance of talented and remarkable nurse educators, so I am very flattered to have been selected for this distinction by Baltimore Magazine,” Kirschling said. “It is very gratifying to celebrate receiving this award with nine University of Maryland School of Nursing alumnae who were also honored for their contributions to health care.  This recognition is a wonderful reflection on our institution and speaks to our legacy of producing nurse leaders in education, research and practice.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Students will be able to apply to both schools simultaneously and satisfy the requirements of both schools. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and Montgomery College (MC) recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will bring a seamless transition from the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. UMSON partnered with MC to design a dual admission program that will be available to nursing students this fall. “This dual admission program is an amazing opportunity for MC’s nursing students. As a community college, the student population is more diverse and is less likely to leave the community to attend a university,” said Barbara Nubile, MSN, RN, associate dean and director of nursing at Montgomery College. “This seamless articulation pathway provides an option that allows Montgomery County residents to complete their associate degree in nursing and then complete their baccalaureate degree, all while staying in the county.” Through the agreement, nursing students will have simultaneous admission into MC’s ADN program and UMSON’s BSN program while satisfying the requirements of both schools. Students enrolled in the program will receive transfer credits for completed coursework, and will be granted special student status, allowing them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate degree. Representatives from UMSON and MC worked diligently for two years to design this pact, which has laid the foundation for similar dual admission arrangements such as the one signed by the College of Southern Maryland earlier this month. “The work that our two institutions accomplished is indeed historic, and it is great to see that our work has paved the way for similar agreements within the state,” said Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ‘93, RN, associate professor and chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing at the Universities at Shady Grove.  “There is  work to be done, but we are excited and encouraged by the spirit of cooperation and commitment to seamless academic progression for nursing students.” Believed to be a step in the right direction for increasing qualified nursing candidates, the agreement will also help further the mission of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing Campaign for Action to advance comprehensive health care change. Specifically, it will address one of the eight goals set forth in the IOM report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. To matriculate to UMSON’s BSN Program, a student must graduate with an ADN from MC and satisfy UMSON’s progression criteria. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – A gift of $5.24 million from William “Bill” and Joanne Conway, through their Bedford Falls Foundation, will enable the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) to expand enrollment in its traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and increase opportunities for registered nurses to obtain their BSN degrees. The gift, which is the largest in UMSON’s history, will provide full scholarship support for 157 new UMSON students. This transformational gift will be disbursed over a five-year period. Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of UMSON, announced the Conways’ gift during UMSON’s 125th Anniversary Gala, held April 18 in Baltimore, Md. “This unprecedented gift in our School’s history comes at a time when the case for a well-educated nurse workforce has never been more evident,” says Kirschling. “We are truly appreciative of this extraordinary gift from Mr. and Mrs. Conway, which will help educate nurses at the baccalaureate level for Maryland and beyond.” Of the 157 new students, 32 will matriculate at UMSON’s entry-level BSN program at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md., starting with a cohort of eight students in fall 2016. The gift will also support 125 students in the RN-to-BSN option, beginning with a cohort in spring 2016. In addition to full scholarships, Conway Scholars will receive valuable coaching and mentoring services through UMSON’s Student Success Center. Many of those seeking the RN-to-BSN option are expected to be associate degree graduates who are the first in their families to pursue a baccalaureate degree. “This incredibly generous gift will help meet the acute demand for nurses in the state and the region and will allow students to receive their education through one of the country’s very best nursing schools—a school that ranks sixth in the nation,” says Jay A. Perman, MD, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. A 2010 Institute of Medicine report on the future of nursing recommends that 80 percent of the nurse workforce be educated at the baccalaureate level by 2020. Many hospitals prefer to hire nurses with BSN degrees and, as a result, some nurses who hold associate degrees have difficulty securing positions. “Joanne and I are proud to support scholarships for nurses at the University of Maryland School of Nursing.  The School has an outstanding reputation for the development of compassionate, competent nurses,” said Bill Conway.  “With this gift, we will have granted scholarships to more than 600 future nurses.” Bill Conway is co-chief executive officer and co-founder of the Carlyle Group, Washington, D.C.  The Conways are trustees of the couple’s Bedford Falls Foundation, which has bestowed significant nursing scholarships previously in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Conways decided several years ago that their philanthropy should help people who have demonstrated financial need receive the education necessary to obtain jobs.                   #  #  # The University of Maryland is home to the schools of law, medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and social work and the graduate school. It is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland.

Director is responsible for developing and implementing program’s policies and procedures. ‌Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently announced the appointment of Assistant Professor Sherrie Lessans, PhD ‘10, RN, as director of the School’s Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) option. Lessans has been a faculty member at UMSON since 2008. “Dr. Lessans is a well-respected member of our faculty who has made invaluable contributions to the nursing program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing,” Kirschling said. “She played a major role in the revision of the CNL curriculum and works closely with our CNL students. Dr. Lessans exudes the attributes that we are looking for in the leader of our program, and I am confident that she will continue to help advance the mission of the School.” Lessans, currently an assistant professor in the Department of Pain and Translational Symptom Science, has an active program of research that focuses on the mechanism underlying the development and persistence of neuropathic pain. In her new role, Lessans will be responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the CNL option’s policies, and procedures. She will also provide leadership in program coordination; curriculum planning; student recruitment, retention and advisement; and didactic instruction. “This is such an exciting time to assume this important role. I have a strong passion for entry-level education and the Clinical Nurse Leader option,” Lessans said.  “It is a privilege to work with this amazing faculty and staff, diligently working to prepare future nurses to shape a culture of safety and best outcomes for patients.” Lessans earned a PhD from UMSON; a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University.   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Robin P. Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN a University of Maryland School of Nursing faculty member known nationally for her research of innovative methods to improve the quality of care delivered to patients, has been named dean of the Indiana University School of Nursing, effective July 1. Read the full story on the Indiana University website.

Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and special guests assembled at the School of Nursing on April 8 for Dean Jane Kirschling’s first annual State of the School Address. The presentation, “Academic Nursing: Maryland and Beyond,” highlighted 2014 faculty, staff, and departmental successes, as well as new traditions, culminating with a look ahead to the future. Dean Kirschling began with some recent highlights, which included the School’s new No. 6 ranking by U.S. News & World Report. Eight of the School’s master’s specialties/options are ranked in the top 10 and two — Clinical Nurse Leader and Nursing Informatics – are ranked No. 1 Speaking to new traditions, Dean Kirschling noted the creation of the School of Nursing ceremonial mace; the White Coat Ceremonies that started last fall; the Dean’s List for BSN students; and December graduation ceremonies, held for the first time in School history.  Enrollment numbers, which remained consistent through 2014, included a 10 percent increase in the entry level and RN-to-BSN admissions figures. Dean Kirschling was also pleased to announce that the School’s student body is comprised of 36 percent minorities, 10 percent higher than the national average of minorities in nursing programs. “Diversity is one of the University’s core values and remains a point of pride for the School of Nursing,” Kirschling said. “The diversity of our student body differentiates us from many schools of nursing across the country.” Other triumphs for the School were the revision of the curricula across four programs; reopening of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner specialty (the only one offered in Maryland); and eight pre-doctoral students being named Jonas Scholars. The School also met all standards during its accreditation audit by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education; a formal report is expected in late spring. A first-rate faculty continues to be a hallmark of the School, as five faculty members are serving in leadership roles at the state and national levels, and 12 recently received faculty awards. In addition, faculty members published 15 books, 275 refereed works, 46 non-refereed works, and made 293 presentations. “An important facet of academic nursing is seeking and developing opportunities for nursing leadership,” Kirschling said. “The School of Nursing has a legacy of producing nurse leaders and I’m pleased that we have so many on our faculty.” The School also continues to excel in faculty research and scholarship, as it received $4 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants in 2014. It is ranked 11th nationally in NIH funding and sixth among state institutions.   Staff contributions have also played a significant role in the growth of the School. The Office of Development and Alumni Relations had a banner year. As of March 31, $2.65 million was raised toward a $3.2 million goal—83 percent of the annual fundraising total.  Several of the School’s staff members received achievement awards; the Student Success Center had its initial Who Will Care grant renewed; and the Office of Communications redesigned the School’s website, magazine, and e-newsletter. Dean Kirschling closed her address with her vision for the future. She’d like to see continued opportunities for nursing academic leadership, grant funding, and student success; recruitment and retention of high-quality faculty; and exploration of new models of care in response to the needs of the community. In addition, she wants the School to take advantage of partnerships with the University System of Maryland; within the University of Maryland, Baltimore; and any technological opportunities that may be possible.      “As we move forward, we must ensure that our goals are in alignment with the core values of the University – accountability, civility, collaboration, diversity, excellence, knowledge, and leadership,” she said. Dean Jane Kirschling with colleagues at her first annual State of the School address. Back Row: Michael B. “Mickey” Dowdy, MBA, chief development officer and vice president, UMB; Richard P. Barth, PhD, dean and professor, School of Social Work; Mark A. Reynolds, PhD, DDS, dean, School of Dentistry; Roger Ward, EdD, JD, MPA, chief accountability officer, vice president of academic affairs, and vice dean of the Graduate School, UMB; Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, senior vice president and dean of the Graduate School, UMB; James B. Kaper, PhD, senior associate dean for academic affairs, School of Medicine; Front Row: Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP, dean and professor, School of Pharmacy; Donald Tobin, JD, dean and professor, School of Law; Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean and professor, School of Nursing; Jay A. Perman, MD, president, UMB; Lisa Rowen, DNSc, MS ’86, RN, FAAN, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, University of Maryland Medical Center; and Jeffrey A. Rivest, FACHE,  president and chief executive officer, University of Maryland Medical Center. State of the School from UMB News on Vimeo.

Students will be able to apply to both schools simultaneously and satisfy the requirements of both schools. ‌Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) recently signed an agreement of dual admission that will bring a seamless transition from the Associate of Science in Nursing to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to southern Maryland. UMSON has partnered with CSM to design a program where nursing students may apply to both schools simultaneously and progress through the program, satisfying the requirements of both schools. In addition to transfer credits for completed coursework, UMSON will award students 30 credits toward their BSN degree at UMSON upon verification of an active registered nurse license. BSN coursework can be completed through Web hybrid courses taught onsite at CSM by UMSON faculty members. Believed to be a step in the right direction for increasing qualified nursing candidates, the agreement will also help further the mission of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing Campaign for Action to advance comprehensive health care change. Specifically, it will address one of the eight goals set forth in the IOM report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. “Baccalaureate programs in this country can’t meet this target unless we embrace and welcome these opportunities to establish partnerships between associate’s degree-granting institutions and those offering baccalaureate education,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I’m so excited and pleased that this legacy, in terms of the partnership with the College of Southern Maryland, could be part of our School’s 125th anniversary year, celebrating more than a century of excellence in nursing education.” Students in the program will be granted special student status, which allows them to take UMSON courses while still working on their associate’s degree. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Recipients will receive a $30,000 grant to assist with educational and professional expenses. Baltimore, Md. – Ten faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) have been awarded the Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant (NEDG) for Practice and Dissertation Research.  Assistant Professors Charon Burda, MS ‘03, PMHNP-BC; Katherine Fornili, MPH, RN, CARN; and Kelley Wilson, MSN, RN; and Clinical Instructors Ben Canha, MS ‘96, RN; Meredid Caves, MSN ‘13, RN; Dzifa Dordunoo, PhD ’14, MSN, RN; Ana Duarte, MS ‘09, BSN ’06, APRN, CRNP-PMH;  Michelle Gonzalez, MSN, MSOM, RN, CRNA; Ann Hoffman, MS ‘11, RN; and Kathleen McElroy, MS ’10, BSN ’97, received awards of $30,000. This competitive grant program is designed to assist PhD and Doctor of Nursing Practice candidates while pursuing their advanced degrees. Its goals are to increase the number of doctoral-prepared nursing faculty in the state of Maryland, strengthen faculty development for optimal capacity at schools of nursing, and recruit and retain a diverse nursing faculty. “With the availability of these awards to our faculty, the School of Nursing is in prime position to answer the Institute of Medicine’s call for a more highly-educated nursing workforce and improved nursing education system,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I fully expect this program to help us build and fortify our faculty infrastructure, which will ensure an adequate educational capacity for the preparation of future nurses.” Grant recipients can use the funds for professional development; course release time; wages for research-related administrative support; or project-related expenses for supplies, travel, and document creation. NEDG is a statewide funding initiative supported by the Nurse Support Program II and is jointly approved by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and Maryland Higher Education Commission. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, was among leaders of nursing, public health, and medical schools who participated in a White House Roundtable held April 9 to address climate change. Read the full story on the UMB website.

Members of the School of Nursing gathered on Thursday, April 2, for a ceremony and reception celebrating staff anniversaries. Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, recognized 17 staff members who have been with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) for five, 10, 15, or 20 years. The honorees’ anniversaries must have occurred between June 1, 2014, and May 31, 2015. Phyllis Lovito celebrated 20 years of service, and Kathy Davis, Allison Hewitt, Sonia Smith, and Charlotte Weber have all reached the 15-year mark. Kathie Dever, Lori Harris, Memory Jackson, Nancy McDowell, and Nicole Willhide have been with UMB for 10 years. and Dan Alcott, Amy Connor, Dardanelles Este,; Katie Hern, Victoria Laubach, Neil McGinn, and Cynthia Sikorski celebrated their five-year anniversaries. Honorees received a certificate and a pin engraved with their number of years of service. The staff anniversary celebration will now take place annually. “Every day our staff members bring their talents and passion for students to the School. Their hard work and dedication does not go unrecognized,” Kirschling said. “Our staff is absolutely essential to meeting the School’s vision of developing leaders in nursing education, research, and practice, and they deserve to be recognized for their vital role in our mission.” ‌

Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, presented the fifth annual Suzanne H. Brouse lectureship during the University of Michigan School of Nursing's Dean Research Day. The annual event highlights nursing research and inspires new ideas and collaborations. Read the full story on the University of Michigan School of Nursing website.

Students from each of the schools at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) gained insights from each other and from actors, called standardized patients, during IPE Day on Feb. 26. The third annual interprofessional education event drew 231 students and 68 faculty and staff members, including participants from the UMB programs at the Universities at Shady Grove. Read the full story on the UMB website.

Fellows have demonstrated major contributions to clinical practice, research, education, or policy. Baltimore, Md. – Elizabeth Galik, PhD ‘07, CRNP, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), and three other alumnae, have been selected to the 2015 Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) program.  UMSON alumnae Deborah Chapa, PhD ’06, Deborah Schofield, DNP ’09, MS ’95, and Shari Simone, DNP ’11, MS ’96, were also chosen. Fellows are visionaries committed to the development of imaginative and creative future nurse practitioner leaders. They are charged with impacting national and global health through engaging recognized nurse practitioner leaders who have greatly influenced clinical practice, research, education, or policy while enhancing AANP’s mission. “Only a small number of Fellows are selected each year, so it is gratifying to see members of the School of Nursing family recognized by their peers for impacting national and global health through clinical practice, research, education and policy,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “The contributions that our faculty and alumni are making to the health care field are outstanding and really highlight the caliber of professionals that have graduated from our program.”  Established in 2000, the FAANP program is dedicated to the global advancement of nurse practitioners and the delivery of high-quality health care.  The program not only enhances AANP’s mission, but also develops nurse practitioner leaders of the future while furthering the field. “It is a great honor to be recognized as a Fellow,” Galik said. “I am looking forward to working with FAANP to advance the nurse practitioner profession while improving care for older adults with dementia by applying the latest research findings to clinical practice.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Kathie and Cassia are mainstays of the School of Nursing program at the Universities at Shady Grove. Each helps with recruitment, admissions, registration, paperwork, and the human aspects, like lending an ear to students' problems.  Read the full story on the UMB website.

‌Eight master’s specialties/options ranked in top 10; two are rated No. 1. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is now ranked No. 6 among all accredited graduate nursing programs by U.S.News & World Report in its 2015 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” UMSON advanced from a No. 11 ranking in 2011 to a tie for No. 6 with the schools of nursing at Duke University, New York University, and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. In addition to its No. 6 overall ranking, eight UMSON master’s specialties/options are ranked in the top 10 in the 2015 U.S.News & World Report listing. The Clinical Nurse Leader option and the Nursing Informatics specialty are ranked No. 1; the Adult /Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty is ranked No. 4; the Nursing Administration and the Family Nurse Practitioner specialties are each ranked No. 5; the Nurse Anesthesia specialty is ranked No. 7; and the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialties are each ranked No. 8. “This exciting news is a tribute to the exceptional faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make up the fabric of the University of Maryland School of Nursing,” said Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are proud of these achievements and will continue to grow our nursing programs to meet the needs of the ever-changing health care landscape.” The U.S.News & World Report “America’s Best Graduate Schools” rankings process is conducted every four years for nursing graduate schools. Rankings are compiled through the gathering of opinion data from deans, administrators, and faculty from schools of nursing that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. U.S.News & World Report Rankings   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Program is designed to address nursing workforce shortage through highly-educated faculty. Baltimore, Md. – Mary Pat Ulicny, MS '11, MHA, RN, CNE, clinical instructor and clinical simulation lab director for the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), has been selected to the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP). Its purpose is to address the nursing workforce shortage by increasing the number of qualified nursing faculty in the classroom. NFLP provides funding to schools of nursing to support the establishment and operation of its loan fund. Participating schools make loans available from the fund to assist registered nurses with enrolling in an advanced education nursing program in preparation for a nursing faculty role. Loan recipients may receive partial loan forgiveness if they finish their program and serve as full-time nursing faculty for the prescribed period of time. Up to 85 percent of the loan may be canceled over four years in return for serving as full-time faculty at any accredited school of nursing. “The NFLP award recognizes the importance of preparing nursing faculty members for the future. With the access to such loans, nurses working toward a doctoral degree can have a wider range of program opportunities,” said Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ‘93, RN, assistant professor and chairperson for the UMSON’s program at USG.” “Mary Pat sought a program that offered a strong foundation in simulation methodology. Her connections with leaders in the simulation field will bring added depth and insights to clinical simulation methodologies. We look forward to learning from Mary Pat as she continues her educational journey.” Funds will be paid annually to the student’s institution as long as the recipient remains in good academic standing. The loan is for a maximum of five years. Ulicny has been approved for $14,124, for 12 credits, and will be taking PhD courses at Duquesne University School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, Penna. "The NFLP award will definitely alleviate the financial burden of tuition and fees for my PhD program. This award will help me to reach my goals as a nursing researcher, educator, and leader in the area of simulation,” Ulicny said. “I am hoping that my research can add to my current body of knowledge by providing theoretical foundational approaches that link simulation practices to the improvement of patient safety and outcomes." # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Leadership Maryland is a professional development program for the state’s brightest leaders. Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been selected to Leadership Maryland’s Class of 2015. Kirschling is one of 50 Maryland leaders who were chosen to participate. Leadership Maryland is a professional development program dedicated to building a stronger Maryland by educating, cultivating, and connecting the state’s brightest leaders. It is an eight-month, hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic, and environmental issues. “The selection process for the Class of 2015 was very competitive, as we had an extraordinary pool of diverse and experienced applicants to choose from,” said Renée M. Winsky, president and chief executive officer, Leadership Maryland. “The 50 participants selected represent a broad spectrum of highly qualified executives from across the state, and we are confident that their Leadership Maryland experience will help them to play an even greater role in our unified effort to shape the future of our state.” Highlights of the program include a two-day opening retreat in April, and five, two-day intense sessions focusing on Maryland’s economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, environment, and multi-culturalism/diversity. There will be a closing retreat in November and a graduation ceremony in December. More than 100 leaders representing the business, government, education, and non-profit communities will serve as panelists and guest speakers. “It is an honor to have been selected to Leadership Maryland’s Class of 2015. This experience will provide exposure to the social, environmental, and economic complexities of the state, while exploring real solutions for our communities with some of Maryland’s top decision makers,” Kirschling said. “I am also looking forward to the interprofessional opportunity the Program will provide, as members of this class represent a diversity of professions from across the state.”  Leadership Maryland is open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in their careers and/or their communities. Members of the program have demonstrated a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and have a personal commitment to promoting a positive change in their organizations, communities, and the state. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Vanessa Fahie has spent 20 years developing programs to increase diversity in the profession. Fahie hopes that reaching children early and throughout their academic careers can usher more nurses of all backgrounds into the profession. Read the full story on the UMB website.

Wiseman serves on board that advises Shady Grove Medical Center and its president. Baltimore, Md. –Rebecca Wiseman, PhD '93, RN, associate professor and chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s program at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), has been appointed to the Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center Governing Board. Wiseman is serving a three-year term as a community board member. The Shady Grove Medical Center Governing Board is comprised of 19 members who are appointed by the Adventist HealthCare Board of Trustees. Its purpose is to support the mission, values, and well-being of Shady Grove Medical Center through elevating the stature and success of its programs, services, and capabilities. The Governing Board, comprised of business, education, physician, health care, and community leaders, provides counsel to the Shady Grove Medical Center and its president. “It is a great honor to be invited to serve on the Shady Grove Medical Center Governing Board. I look forward to working with colleagues who are committed to providing superior health care services to their clients,” Wiseman said.  “Nurses bring unique perspectives to hospital governing boards and I am excited about this opportunity to make an important difference in the delivery of health care in Montgomery County.” Additionally, Wiseman serves on the Workforce Investment Board of the Allied Health Industry Alliance in Montgomery County and the advisory board of the Montgomery College nursing program. She is also part of the Maryland Action Coalition, which is responsible for implementing the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing recommendations. Shady Grove Medical Center, a not-for-profit, 305-bed acute care facility in Rockville, Md., is a part of Adventist HealthCare’s system of health care services. It is nationally recognized for cancer care, cardiac and vascular services, orthopedics, and joint replacement. “We are delighted to have Rebecca on our Governing Board,” said John Sackett, president, Shady Grove Medical Center. “We admire her passion for nursing and her commitment to health care education. She shares our dedication to serving the community, and we look forward to her collaboration and input.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

By Kevin Nash Three School of Nursing faculty members braved frigid, windy conditions on two consecutive nights this winter to participate in Journey Home Baltimore’s Point in Time (PIT) count. Katherine Fornili, MPH, RN, CARN, assistant professor; Veronica Gutchell, DNP ‘13, RN, CNS, CRNP, assistant professor; and Rosemary Riel, MAA, clinical instructor and associate director, Office of Global Health, were members of a team of 12 who took to the Interstate 83 Corridor to assist the City’s homeless population. The PIT count is a two-night event where volunteers travel in teams to help track sheltered and unsheltered homeless citizens. Its purpose is to determine the prevalence of homelessness in Baltimore while assessing the needs of the population. Teams were armed with blankets, coats, hats, mittens, shoes, socks, and snacks as they ventured onto the streets between midnight and 6 a.m. Hundreds of volunteers were trained before participating in the survey, which took place in various locations throughout the City. The School of Nursing’s team surveyed 24 homeless people, many of whom were not adequately dressed for the cold temperatures of the Code Blue night in Baltimore. “I have been in public health nursing since 1983, and have spent a lot of time working with the homeless. I thought I had seen everything, but this experience helped me to realize that you really don’t know what it’s like to be homeless,” Fornili said. “It’s not until you are out with them in the wee hours of the morning, on a very cold, wet, snowy night, talking to a man wearing wet socks, but no shoes, that you begin to grasp it.”   ‌City officials announce a Code Blue when temperatures are expected to be below 25 degrees with winds of 15 miles per hour or higher, temperatures are less than 20 degrees, or during other periods of intense winter weather. With these conditions on the horizon, the team worked to convince homeless individuals to relocate to a shelter. If they accepted the offer, volunteers made calls to have them transported to a shelter. The team was able to send three to five homeless people to a shelter each night. Although Baltimore has more than 4,000 homeless citizens, Journey HomeBaltimore’s plan is to make homelessness rare and brief. It brings together the public and private sectors, not-for-profits, faith-based organizations, and concerned citizens to work on solutions for preventing and ending homelessness. The count will help the City allocate the appropriate amount of funds to assist its homeless. “The experience of homelessness can seem overwhelming. I feel hopeful because there are a lot of people that care about this issue and came out in the middle of a winter night to conduct this important survey. There's something moving and hopeful in that fact,” Gutchell said. “I am inspired by those who dedicate their professional lives to this cause and the volunteers who continue to work hard to make homelessness a temporary experience for individuals and families. It's that work and commitment that keeps me hopeful.”‌

The NNP specialty will be the only one offered in Maryland. Baltimore, Md. – Beginning in fall 2015, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will offer a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Post-Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) specialty. An NNP is an advanced practice nurse whose scope of practice includes the provision of direct patient care to pre-term infants, full-term infants, neonates, and children up to age 2. UMSON is launching the new specialty in response to a continued need to strengthen the NNP workforce. Education for the NNP role includes competencies specific to the neonatal population. NNP graduates are prepared to function in the NNP role, as it currently exists, in neonatal intensive care units, step down units, newborn nurseries, and developmental follow up clinics. “Infant mortality and pre-term birth rates remain high nationally and in the state of Maryland. Unfortunately, recent NNP workforce surveys reveal that for every NNP who graduates, there may be as many as 80 positions that are unfilled,” said Jan Wilson, DNP, CRNP, NNP-BC, assistant professor and NNP specialty director. “The shortage is compounded by the fact that many of our most seasoned NNPs have 10 to 20 years of experience and will be retiring within the next five to 10 years.” Satisfactory completion of the program results in the award of the DNP degree and eligibility to take the national certification examination in the neonatal specialty area. Key doctoral requirements include preparation for leadership in nursing and health care; preparation for innovative, evidence-based specialized advanced nursing practice; health care policy; interprofessional collaboration; and information systems and use of technology in patient care and health care. “This program will be the first and only DNP neonatal nurse practitioner program in the state of Maryland,” Wilson said. “We are confident that our graduates will be strategic, collaborative partners in helping to address the many problems faced by this vulnerable population.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Program designed for nurse educators seeking a rapid transition into a leadership role. Baltimore, Md. – Five University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been selected to participate in the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) 2015 LEAD Program.  Amy Daniels, MS ’12, BSN ’89, RN, CHSE, clinical instructor; Lori Edwards, DrPH,  BSN ’80, RN, PHCNS-BC, assistant professor; Vanessa Fahie, PhD ’94, BS ’76 RN, assistant professor; Margaret Hammersla, MS ’05, BSN ’95, RN, CRNP, assistant professor; and Michelle Moulton, MS ’09 , RN, PCCN, CHSE, clinical instructor, were chosen. LEAD, a part of the NLN Leadership Institute, focuses on leadership development for nurse educators who are emerging into administrative leadership roles or for the Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators. A year-long program, LEAD teams participants with peers and experts to examine issues related to leadership concepts and organizational systems. The program guides participants in developing strong management and leadership skills, the art of negotiation and communication within groups, and how to develop teams that perform at a high level. Additionally, the program helps members create a three-year, focused career plan; examine key issues in organizational dynamics; and implement an individual plan for leadership development. “The LEAD program is a great opportunity for members of our faculty to be exposed to world-class nursing professionals,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “It is through these types of interactions that leadership skills are nurtured and developed, which leads to lasting transformation in professional growth and maintainable institutional change.”     NLN, comprised of nurse educators, education agencies, health care agencies, and interested members of the public, is dedicated to excellence in nursing education. Its members are offered faculty development programs, networking opportunities, nursing research grants, testing and assessment, and public policy initiatives. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Assistant dean is responsible for developing and implementing program’s policies and procedures. Baltimore, Md. – Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), recently announced the appointment of Associate Professor Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD ‘96, PMHCNS, BC, CNL, as  assistant dean for the Master of Science program. Lemaire, a psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist and psychotherapist, has been a faculty member at UMSON since 2000, and currently serves as director of the Clinical Nurse Leader master’s option. In her new role, Lemaire is responsible for the development and implementation of the program’s policies and procedures.  She will also provide leadership in administration and program coordination, curriculum planning, student recruitment, advisement, and retention. “I am very pleased to have been selected for this position,” Lemaire says.  “I am excited to have already assumed some of my new responsibilities and am looking forward to directing the master’s program and contributing to the strategic operations of the School.” During her tenure at UMSON, Lemaire’s clinical specialty has been psychiatric mental health nursing. She has taught psychiatric nursing at the undergraduate and graduate levels and will continue in that capacity.  Lemaire’s research interests have focused on community-based psychiatric outcomes and women’s mental health. “Dr. Lemaire is a highly-respected member of our faculty who has demonstrated the attributes that we are looking for in the leader of our master's program,” Kirschling said. “I am confident that she will make significant contributions to the strategic operations and direction of our program while furthering the mission of the School.” Lemaire earned a PhD from UMSON; a Master of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Texas, San Antonio; and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston University.   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Research to examine care for elderly population and managing chronic disease treatment. ‌Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Center for Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan (CBBAL) has been awarded a $12,500 grant from the Loveman Foundation to help facilitate ongoing research projects. ‌CBBAL’s current research projects include optimizing function and physical activity among older adults and their caregivers in long-term care settings; optimizing health among adults living in the community via community-based services and telehealth approaches; and managing and treating symptoms associated with chronic disease, particularly pain. Co-directed by Professors Barbara Resnick, PhD ‘96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, and Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD ’03, MS ’95, BSN ’89, FAAN, the CBBAL is one of two research centers within UMSON. “Funding is critical in helping our members expand ongoing research activities and build new initiatives and projects,” says Resnick. “The research projects help us address the exploding health care needs of an aging society.  Through our research and findings we are seeking to ensure that all Americans and aging individuals worldwide receive evidence-based care that results in optimal quality of life.”   CBBAL’s mission is to conduct interdisciplinary research related to the effect of biology and behavior on health across the lifespan. The Center provides a core for the pooling of resources and sharing of data across a wide variety of projects related to biological and behavioral outcomes. Through the work of CBBAL, the School of Nursing is positioned to lead the University in research related to biology and behavior across the lifespan. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Commencement ceremonies for fall and winter 2014 graduates of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) were held for the first time in December, marking another new tradition launched during UMSON’s 125th anniversary year. Ceremonies were held Friday, Dec. 12, for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), and Monday, Dec. 15, at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore for graduates of Baltimore’s nursing programs. Three hundred twenty-four degrees were awarded, including 139 BSNs, 160 Master of Science, 20 Doctor of Nursing Practice, and five PhDs. Nine certificates were awarded. “You begin your careers at a time when nursing presents unparalleled possibilities—no other profession offers such a diverse range of career paths and opportunities for professional advancement,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “Moreover, very few professions afford you the privilege of having a significant impact on the lives of individuals, families, and communities as nursing does.” Article and Video Photo Gallery # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Awards given to new faculty members to offset educational and professional costs. Baltimore, Md. – Twelve University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have received the New Nurse Faculty Fellowship Award for FY ’15-‘17, a grant funded through the Nurse Support II Program (NSPII). NSPII is a statewide initiative designed to grow the number of nurses prepared to effectively function in a faculty role. UMSON Assistant Professors Lori Edwards, PhD, MPH, BSN ’80, RN, PHCNS-BC; Maranda Jackson-Parkin, PhD ‘13, MS ’06, RN, CCRN, CRNP-BC; and Gina Rowe, PhD ‘13, DNP ‘10, MPH, FNP-BC, PHCNS-BC, CNE; and Clinical Instructors Beth Barrows, MS ‘13, BSN ’05, RN; Mary Burr, MS ‘02, CPNP; Ann Felauer, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC/PC; Lori Mooney, MS ‘09, BSN ‘05 RN, PMHNP-BC, CRNP-PMH; Linda Murray, MS ‘84, CPNP; Karin Russ, MS ‘09, BSN ‘89 RN; Kate Scott MPH, RN; Celeste Seger, MS ‘13, BSN ’10, RN; and Nicole Smith, MS ‘14, RN, were all recipients of the award. These fellowships will assist Maryland nursing programs in recruiting and retaining new nursing faculty to produce nursing graduates to staff Maryland hospitals. "We are extremely pleased to see so many of our faculty members receive such generous financial support through the Fellowship Program," said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  "This statewide initiative helps the School of Nursing attract and retain talented faculty, which in turn improves our capacity to produce a strong nursing workforce." State institutions with nursing degree programs are eligible to nominate an unlimited amount of newly-hired, full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty members for the fellowship. The maximum amount of the three-year fellowship is $20,000. Recipients receive $10,000 during year one, and then $5,000 for the remaining two years. Funds can be used to supplement a fellow’s salary, graduate education expenses, and professional development and associated dues. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Award recipients and scholarship winners honored at annual convention. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that two faculty members and two students were recently honored by the Maryland Nurses Association (MNA) at its annual convention. Barbara Dobish, MSN, RN, assistant professor, and Mary Fey, PhD ’14, MS ’01, RN, CHSE, assistant professor and director of UMSON’s clinical simulation laboratories, received MNA Awards. Clinical Nurse Leader students Emilie Cecil and Sarah Khaver were awarded Nursing Foundation of Maryland Scholarships. Dobish, who has been a nurse educator for more than 30 years, received the Outstanding Nurse Educator Award. The award is given to a MNA member who has demonstrated excellence in nursing education, continuing education, or staff development, and has provided others with exceptional educational opportunities. Fey was honored with the Outstanding Pathfinder Award, which is presented to a MNA member who has demonstrated excellence and creative leadership that fosters the development of the nursing profession. An educator since 1996, Fey has been instrumental in developing clinical simulation programs, integrating simulation into nursing curricula, providing faculty development programs related to simulation, and designing and building simulation labs.  Cecil received the Barbara Suddath Nursing Scholarship, which is awarded to a nurse enrolled in a graduate degree nursing program who intends to work with the elderly population. Khaver earned the Nursing Foundation of Maryland Scholarship, which is given to a baccalaureate or graduate nursing student in Maryland.   “I always look forward to the annual MNA Awards, as it is an opportunity for MNA members to recognize their colleagues for their extraordinary contributions to the nursing profession,” said MNA President Janice Hoffman, PhD ’06, RN,ANEF,associate professor and assistant dean for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at UMSON. “Although I’m president of MNA, it was also  special for me as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Nursing to be able to present awards to my colleagues.  Additionally, I was thrilled to see two of our nursing students receive scholarships.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

WHAT: White Coat Ceremony for Nursing Students Incoming Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Clinical Nurse Leader students will receive their white coats at a ground-breaking program. The School was one of 100 nursing schools to receive funding support through a collaborative effort between the Arnold P. Gold Foundation (APGF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to pilot White Coat Ceremonies. The purpose of the program is to instill a commitment to providing compassionate care among future health professionals entering nursing schools. Although White Coat Ceremonies have been an important rite of passage at medical schools for more than 20 years, this new collaboration between APGF and AACN marks the first time a coordinated effort has been developed to offer similar events at schools of nursing. In this pilot year, nursing schools in 43 states plus the District of Columbia were provided financial support and guidance to offer a White Coat Ceremony, which will consist of the recitation of an oath, cloaking of students in a white coat, an address by an eminent role model, and a reception for students and invited guests. WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 21                            WHERE: University of Maryland School of Nursing – Room 130, 655 W. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201 # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Award celebrates the achievements and successes of University students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Baltimore, Md. – Two faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) were among the recipients of Founder’s Week Awards from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Karen Kauffman, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, associate professor and chair, Department of Family and Community Health, received the Public Servant of the Year Award, and Robin Newhouse, PhD ‘00, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, was co-recipient of the Researcher of the Year, along with C. Daniel Mullins, PhD, chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Each year, UMB celebrates the achievements and successes of the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and philanthropic support, and pays tribute to its 200-plus-year history. As part of the celebration, awards are presented in four categories: Researcher of the Year, Public Servant of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year. Kauffman, who has devoted much of her career to fighting Alzheimer’s disease, started a private practice in 1999 to provide long-term care consultation for older adults, many dealing with dementia, and then served on a work group of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Assisted Living. Additionally, she has been published in national and international peer-reviewed journals on various topics, including Alzheimer’s disease; served on the National Board of the Alzheimer’s Association; chaired the 23rd Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum; and chaired a panel to revise the national Alzheimer’s Association’s Statement of Ethics. She also serves on the board of the Greater Maryland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Newhouse conducts comparative effectiveness research using multi-site studies to test health system interventions to improve care processes and patient incomes. She has published extensively on health services improvement interventions, acute care quality issues, and evidence-based practice, and is chair of the Methodology Committee of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, a committee she was appointed to by the U.S. Comptroller General. Newhouse is the only nurse serving on this prestigious 17-member committee.  In addition, in 2013, Newhouse was elected to the board of AcademyHealth, an interprofessional organization for health services researchers, and earlier this year, she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. She serves on two current Institute of Medicine committees. “We are very pleased that multiple recipients of the Founder’s Week awards are from the School of Nursing. It is great that Dr. Kauffman and Dr. Newhouse are being celebrated University-wide for their countless contributions that have advanced the field of nursing,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Our School is extremely fortunate to have professors of their caliber.  This recognition, among others, continues to demonstrate that we have top-rate faculty.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Awardees to be recognized at 125th Anniversary Gala in April 2015. Baltimore, Md. – Since 1889, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been committed to excellence in educating nurse leaders.  As part of its 125th anniversary celebration, UMSON will honor 25 outstanding alumni (both living and deceased) as Visionary Pioneers who have become expert clinicians, educators, and leaders in Maryland, the nation, and around the world. Those selected have made a significant impact on and contributions to the nursing profession based on their leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship. “We are excited to announce our inaugural Visionary Pioneer Award winners during this momentous year in the School of Nursing’s history. All of these outstanding alumni have had an impact on the nursing profession and health care, and we are extremely proud of them,” said Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. The following 25 Visionary Pioneers will be honored at UMSON’s 125th Anniversary Gala Saturday, April 18, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel.   Patricia Abbott, PhD, MS ’92, BSN ’89, RN, FAAN, FACMI, associate professor, Division of Systems Leadership and Effectiveness Science, University of Michigan School of Nursing Abbott is recognized internationally for her leadership in preparing scholars and practitioners in nursing informatics. She led the development of the American Nurses Association’s Standards of Practice for Nursing Informatics (NI) and then served for 12 years on the Committee for Board Certification in NI at the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Abbott was director of NI graduate programs at UMSON in the early years of the specialty and spearheaded the Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics after its founding in 1991. Rachel Z. Booth, PhD, MS ’70, BSN ’68, former dean, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Booth is an internationally recognized educator and former director of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for International Nursing at UAB. She started one of nation’s first adult nurse practitioner programs in 1971 at UMSON, where she was also associate dean for undergraduate studies. Her extensive international publications and research interests have focused on leadership, conflict, power, and organizational assessment and development. Mary Catherine Bunting, MS ’72, Baltimore benefactor and chair, Mary Catherine Bunting Foundation   Retired after a 34-year career as a nurse practitioner at Mercy Medical Center, Bunting is a transformational benefactor to causes that align with her personal values—a deep respect for the environment, a belief in the life-changing power of education, and a commitment to quality health care, particularly for the underserved. She established the Mary Catherine Bunting Clinical Nurse Leader Scholarship endowment to provide scholarship support for Maryland residents enrolled in UMSON’s Clinical Nurse Leader master’s option. Ethel Palmer Clark, DIN 1906 (deceased) An early nurse leader, Palmer Clark was superintendent of the University of Maryland Hospital from 1911-1914. She was an early advocate for graduate nursing education and served as director of the Indiana University Training School for Nursing from 1915-1932, where she led the school to national prominence. She was instrumental in the founding of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, which currently has more than 135,000 active members. Darlene J. Curley, MS '82, BSN '80, RN, FAAN, executive director, Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence   Curley has extensive experience as a health policy leader, entrepreneur, leadership consultant, workforce expert, and registered nurse. She served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives, where she established herself as one of the legislature’s foremost experts on health policy issues. Prior to her service in the legislature, Curley was founder and CEO of a home health care and medical staffing business. She has served on the faculty of the University of Southern Maine and was Director for Strategic Planning for Healthsouth Corporation/Advantage Health, one of the largest health care companies in the nation. COL Marla De Jong, PhD, MS ’96, RN, CCNS, FAAN, dean, United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine   De Jong has had a stellar 25-year career in the U.S. Air Force. She has held numerous leadership positions and her extraordinary skills have been recognized through early promotions to the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel. Her contributions have shaped military and civilian nursing clinical practice, the delivery of health care, nursing education and management, research, and health policy. Dorrie K. Fontaine, PhD, MS ’77, RN, FAAN, dean, University of Virginia (UVA) School of Nursing and Sadie Heath Cabaniss Professor of Nursing; associate chief nursing officer, University of Virginia Health Systems A passion for critical care nursing underlies Fontaine’s distinguished career. Prior to her appointment as dean at UVA, she was associate dean for academic programs and clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco.  Fontaine also held associate dean positions and taught at Georgetown University School of Nursing. She served as president of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACCN), the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACCN recognized her contributions with its Lifetime Member Award. Patricia A. Grady, PhD, MS ’68, RN, FAAN, director, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health An internationally recognized researcher, Grady's scientific focus has primarily been in stroke, with emphasis on arterial stenosis and cerebral ischemia. She was elected to the Institute of Medicine in 1999, and is a member of several scientific organizations, including the Society for Neuroscience, the American Academy of Nursing, and the American Neurological Association. She is also a Fellow of the American Heart Association Stroke Council. Pamela V. Hammond, PhD, MS ’79, RN, FAAN, provost, Hampton University   Hammond is the chief academic officer at Hampton University and oversees matters relating to educational policies and academic appointments. She previously served as dean of Hampton University’s School of Nursing. As dean, Hammond increased student enrollment by 60 percent and assumed major responsibilities for the research, development, and grants activities that directly impacted faculty productivity. In 1999, through Hammond's efforts, Hampton University implemented the first PhD program in nursing at a historically black college or university, resulting in an increase in the numbers of doctoral-prepared racial and ethnic minority nurses. Donna S. Havens, PhD ’91, RN, FAAN, interim dean and professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Havens’ career has included roles in nursing practice, academe, administration, and research. She developed the Decisional Involvement Scale (DIS), which is used extensively in the U.S. and internationally to identify actual and preferred degrees of nurse involvement in workplace policy and practice decisions. For more than 25 years, she has studied, published, consulted, and presented about the nurse practice environment nationally and internationally. Ruth McCorkle, PhD, BSN ’68, RN, FAAN, Florence Schorske Wald Professor of Nursing and Professor of Epidemiology, Yale School of Nursing A pioneer in oncology nursing and an international leader in cancer nursing, education, and cancer control research, McCorkle has conducted landmark research on the psychosocial ramifications of cancer. She has more than 40 years experience in testing clinical interventions with cancer patients and their families. McCorkle has successfully secured funding to conduct seven clinical trials that have demonstrated consistent findings across the illness trajectory. Esther McCready, DIN ’53, Maryland Civil Rights pioneer, retired nurse, and educator McCready grew up in Baltimore and came of age during the modern Civil Rights movement. With the help of NAACP lawyers, including Thurgood Marshall, McCready sued for admission into the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She won her case in the Maryland Court of Appeals in April 1950, helping to lay the groundwork for the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision of 1954. She helped pave the way for generations of aspiring African American nursing students in Maryland and across the nation. Patricia G. Morton, PhD ’89, MS ’79, RN, FAAN, dean and professor, University of Utah College of Nursing; Louis H. Peery Presidential Endowed Chair A nationally known expert in nursing education, critical care, and cardiovascular nursing, Morton was previously the associate dean for academic affairs at UMSON. At UMSON, she spearheaded a project to develop clinical simulation laboratories and developed strategies to integrate simulation into both undergraduate and graduate nursing education that have served as a national model.  Morton has authored three textbooks, numerous book chapters, and many journal articles. She has served on the editorial board of seven nursing journals and is currently editor of the Journal of Professional Nursing. The Honorable Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, MAS, BSN ’80, member, Maryland House of Delegates, District 10, Baltimore County Nathan-Pulliam was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1994. She is the first Caribbean-born person and the first African-Caribbean registered nurse elected to the Maryland General Assembly. Nathan-Pulliam has years of experience as a quality assurance coordinator, head nurse, and team leader at hospitals in the Baltimore metropolitan area. She has more than 40 years of service as a political and community activist in local, state, and federal activities. RADM (Ret.) Elizabeth Schuyler Niemyer, MS, BSN ’78, chief, Program Office for United Healthcare, Military and Veterans Niemyer retired from the Navy as a Rear Admiral after 32 years of service. She completed her military career as the 23rd Director of the Navy Nurse Corps and Deputy Chief, Wounded, Ill, and Injured, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. As director of the Navy Nurse Corps, she was responsible for coordinating all major nursing policies for 6,000 active, reserve, and civilian nurses worldwide. Niemyer is currently chief program officer for United Healthcare, Military and Veterans, responsible for administrative oversight of a $21 billion TRICARE-Western Region managed care support contract covering 2.9 million beneficiaries in 21 states. Marla T. Oros, MS, BSN ’84, president, The Mosaic Group Oros has had an accomplished career in public health, academia, hospital administration, business management, and nonprofit organizational development. She has worked for the past 30 years to create and promote innovative programs that increase access to primary medical and behavioral health care for the most vulnerable populations. She developed model community and public health programs and services that have proven effective, sustainable, and replicable. Oros has achieved national recognition for her work testing and advancing innovative substance abuse interventions.  Barbara J. Parker, PhD ’86, MS ’76, RN, FAAN, professor emerita of nursing, University of Virginia School of Nursing Parker has been actively involved in the field of violence against women since 1975. She conducted several research studies on intimate partner violence, including studies on the relationship between abuse in pregnancy and maternal and infant complications, a clinical trial to test a nursing empowerment intervention for abused women, and a qualitative study of abuse with community dwelling women who have severe mental illness. In the 1970s, she was intrinsically involved with the creation of The House of Ruth in Baltimore, Md., one of the nation’s leading intimate partner violence centers. RADM (Ret.) Carol A. Romano, PhD ’93, MS ’85, BSN ’77, RN, BC, NEA, FAAN, FACMI, professor and associate dean for academic affairs at the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USPHS) Romano is recognized as a pioneer in nursing informatics. She helped design and implement one of the first computerized medical information systems in 1976, which provided electronic medical orders and clinical documentation for physicians and nurses in ambulatory and hospital environments. She was co-architect of the world’s first graduate curriculum in nursing informatics at UMSON. Romano served as advisor to the World Health Organization on the management of manpower and health information in developing countries. She has served in a variety of leadership positions in the USPHS in the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG), including Acting Deputy Surgeon General, Acting Chief of Staff OSG, Director of the Office of Reserve Affairs, and Chief Nursing Officer. Lisa Rowen, DNSc, MS ’86, RN, FAAN, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, University of Maryland Medical Center Rowen, a transformational leader who has advocated for nurses and their valuable roles in all aspects of health care, was instrumental in developing a partnership, UMNursing, between UMSON and the University of Maryland Medical Center. She was the driving force behind UMMC’s first-time achievement of Magnet Designation in 2009, and is a nationally recognized leader in her profession. Phyllis Sharps, PhD ’88, BSN ’79, RN, CNE, FAAN, associate dean for the community and global program and director, Center for Global Nursing, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (JHUSON) As an expert in maternal and child health nursing, a researcher, and a mentor to the next generations of Johns Hopkins nurses, Sharps works at the forefront of community and public health nursing and at the interface of mental and physical health. She is director of three health and wellness centers operated by JHUSON, provides care in a Baltimore shelter for homeless battered women and their children, and conducts ongoing community-based, participatory research. The overarching focus of her work is on the effects of intimate partner violence on the physical and emotional health of pregnant women, infants, and very young children. Betty Lou Shubkagel, PhD, BSN ’54, (deceased), professor emerita, UMSON Shubkagel served as an educator and leader at UMSON for more than 28 years. She led the UMSON faculty in developing an undergraduate program in medical-surgical nursing that was highly respected nationally. She also conducted research in nursing education and nursing care of patients with cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular pharmacology. In 1965, Shubkagel co-authored the text Pharmacology and Therapeutics, which became the standard of excellence in textbooks for undergraduate nursing pharmacology. Debra L. Spunt, DNP ‘08, MS ’83, BSN ’79, RN, FAAN, (deceased), former assistant professor and director, UMSON clinical simulation labs Spunt was a pioneer in the use of clinical simulation as an innovative technology-enhanced teaching strategy. She was nationally and internationally recognized for her knowledge, expertise, and leadership in clinical simulation. Spunt provided leadership through formal and informal consultations to schools of nursing and health care agencies in more than 38 states and 12 countries, including South Korea, Israel, and Canada.  Through her leadership, clinical simulation became recognized as a nursing specialty.  Joan M. Stanley, PhD, MS ’78, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, senior director of education policy, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Stanley has provided leadership for the development of all AACN Essentials documents for nursing education, including the Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing and the Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education. She has contributed to many major position statements on a variety of nursing education issues, including the Clinical Nurse Leader, the Research-Focused Doctorate, and the move of Advanced Practice Nursing to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She has authored numerous articles and texts, including the 2011 Advanced Practice Nursing: Emphasizing Common Roles, 3rd edition. Since 1973, Stanley has worked as an Adult Nurse Practitioner within the University of Maryland Medical System. Elizabeth Scanlan Trump, MS ’60, (deceased), collaborator with R Adams Cowley, University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center Widely known as the nation’s first trauma nurse and the “Mother of Critical Care Nursing,” Scanlan Trump collaborated with R Adams Cowley, MD, to develop a model trauma center that is now one of the preeminent trauma centers in the world. She was the first director of nursing at the Shock Trauma Center. Scanlan Trump was instrumental in publishing the first trauma and critical care nursing text book, Trauma Nursing, From Resuscitation to Rehabilitation. David Vlahov, PhD, MS ’80, BSN ’77, RN, FAAN, dean and professor, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing Vlahov has vast experience in interprofessional and interdisciplinary education and research. His research background includes expertise in epidemiology, infectious diseases, substance abuse, and mental health. He initiated the International Society for Urban Health and is an expert consultant to the World Health Organization’s Urban Health Center in Kobe, Japan. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

UMSON students selected from a pool of 644 applicants. Baltimore, Md. – Three University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) students have been awarded scholarships from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Foundation.  Alice Cho, Tushana Fowlin, and Victoria Ladele each received scholarships from the Foundation. The Foundation awards scholarships to students currently enrolled in a nurse anesthesia program recognized and accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Sixty of the 644 applicants were awarded scholarships totaling more than $125,750. Cho received the AANA Diamond Club Scholarship for $2,000, which is given by past presidents of the AANA in honor of Marie Bader, a past president. Fowlin was awarded the Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists Scholarship for $3,000, which is awarded to a student enrolled in UMSON’s Nurse Anesthesia Program. Ladele received the GALA Scholarship for $1,000, given to students attending institutions that respect and support gays and lesbians. “We are very proud of our students for earning these scholarships. They stood out from an extremely competitive pool of applicants, which demonstrates their hard work and ability to compete,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It is great to see that the AANA Foundation is dedicated to investing in students who are the future of advancing the science of anesthesia.”  AANA’s Foundation is a charitable organization devoted to anesthesia research, education, and development. It seeks to advance the science of anesthesia through education and research. Additionally, the Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of AANA,  and funds scholarships, doctoral fellowships, post-doctoral fellowships, research grants, general poster sessions, oral “State of the Science” poster sessions, and doctoral mentorships. # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Fellows will spend a year in Washington, DC participating in the federal health policy process. Baltimore, Md. – Marian Grant, DNP, RN, CRNP, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been named a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Fellow. Seven health professionals from across the country were selected to participate in the program, beginning this fall. RWJF’s Health Policy Fellow program offers exceptional midcareer health professionals an opportunity to actively participate in the health policy process at the federal level. Each year, fellows are selected through a highly-competitive selection process to leave their campus or workplace to spend a year in Washington, D.C.  More than 250 fellows from a variety of disciplines in health and health care from across the nation have participated in the program since its inception in 1973. “This fellowship is considered one of the most prestigious in the nation and attracts extraordinarily talented health professionals from across the country. We are proud of Dr. Grant for standing out from a highly-competitive pool of applicants,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “I know that she will use this experience to help nurses gain a much-needed voice in health policy, while serving as a strong ambassador for the School of Nursing and the nursing profession.”        For the first three months, fellows participate in an orientation program, which is followed by a nine-month assignment working with a congressional office or executive branch of the government. Work assignments are supplemented throughout the year with health policy leadership development activities and media training.  After completing the program, fellows return to the field where they are expected to put new networks and their health policy leadership skills into practice. "I am honored to have been given an opportunity to participate in this fellowship. The voice of nurses often go unheard in today’s health care debate, so I hope to develop the skills necessary to represent them to policy leaders,” Grant said. “As a nurse practitioner certified in palliative care and hospice, I also hope to increase awareness and access to these important types of care.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Academy recognizes contributions of nurse educators for excellence in nursing education. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Louise S. Jenkins, PhD, RN, professor and Director of the Institute for Educators in Nursing and Health Professions, has been inducted as a Fellow of  the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education. New fellows were inducted at the NLN’s Annual Education Summit, held recently in Phoenix, Ariz. Jenkins is one of 20 nurse educators selected to join the Academy’s 169 fellows representing nursing programs across the academic spectrum and from other organizations across the United States. As a newly-named fellow, Jenkins has been lauded for her contributions to faculty development in Maryland and surrounding areas. She has been instrumental in the development and operation of the Institute for Educators, a statewide center for achieving excellence in nursing education that prepares new educators and supports current nurse faculty members. This work addresses aspects of nursing faculty shortages and produces outcomes that significantly impact nursing education.      “I am very honored to be selected as a Fellow in the Academy of Nursing Education for my contributions to nursing education,” Jenkins said. “It has been very satisfying to work with exceptional educators and leaders throughout Maryland in achieving shared goals for preparation and ongoing support of highly-qualified nursing faculty. I am fortunate to work in an area where we are truly making a difference in the quality of preparation of nursing faculty, and ultimately future and current nurses.”  Established in 2007 by the NLN, the Academy of Nursing Education fosters excellence in nursing education by recognizing and capitalizing on the wisdom of nurse educators who have made sustained and significant contributions to nursing education. Fellows provide visionary leadership in nursing education and in the Academy of Nursing Education, and support the vision of the NLN to promote standards of excellence in nursing education that will increase the number of graduates from all types of nursing programs. Fellows serve as important role models and resources for new educators and for those who aspire to become nurse educators.  “Dr. Jenkins’ contributions to the University of Maryland School of Nursing and nursing education have been invaluable. Her visionary leadership is remarkable and is certainly worthy of national recognition,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It is gratifying to see Dr. Jenkins honored for her tireless efforts in the field of nursing.” # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Inductees have made significant research contributions to the profession and people it serves. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Robin P. Newhouse, PhD '00, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, was recently inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. Newhouse was one of 25 nurse researchers inducted at the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing’s 25th International Nursing Research Congress held in Hong Kong. Created in 2010, the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame is one of STTI’s International Awards for Nursing Excellence. The award recognizes nurse researchers who have achieved significant and sustained broad national or international recognition for their work, and whose research has impacted the profession and the people it serves.   “We are very proud of Dr. Newhouse for receiving this distinguished honor,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She has worked tirelessly over the years as a nurse researcher to create innovative methods to improve the quality of care delivered to patients by health care professionals. It is nice to see that her efforts are being recognized both nationally and internationally.”  Newhouse’s research has promoted the adoption of evidence-based interventions. Her team's multi-site studies have demonstrated improvements in health care for people with heart failure and/or substance use, while providing evidence for policy makers that care delivered by advanced practice registered nurses is high quality, safe, and effective.   "My induction into the STTI Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame is such an honor, but is clearly an accomplishment that I did not reach alone,” Newhouse said. “I am thankful for my mentors, research  team members, collaborators, partner clinicians, and patients who have worked with me over many years to answer questions needed to improve care." Throughout her career, Newhouse has received multiple national and international appointments as a result of her research. She has served on the Methodology Committee of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute and two Institute of Medicine Committees, the Standing Committee on Credentialing Research in Nursing, and the Study on Treatment of Cardiac Arrest: Current Status and Future Directions. She has also chaired the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Research Council and the Research and Scholarship Advisory Council for STTI. She was elected to the Board of AcademyHealth in 2013.                       # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

MPower Research and Innovation Seed Grant will fund research project. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), in collaboration with the University of Maryland, College Park; the University of Maryland School of Medicine Institute of Human Virology; and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, is pleased to announce that it has received a grant to research strategies for improving and supporting occupational health practices in Haiti to protect workers from blood borne pathogens (BBP).  UMSON has received funding for the Blood Borne Pathogen Assessment Survey Among Health Care Workers in Haiti project from the University of Maryland MPower Research and Innovation Seed Grant.‌  Jane Lipscomb, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, UMSON, and Robert H. Feldman, PhD, FAAHB, professor, University of Maryland School of Public Health, will serve as the principal investigators. BBPs are infectious microorganisms present in blood that can cause disease in humans. Workers exposed to BBPs are at risk for serious or life-threatening illnesses. The research project aims to examine methods to protect the health care workforce by reducing the risk of the transmission of BBPs, such as Hepatitis B/C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among workers employed at Haitian hospitals. In Haiti, the HIV and Hepatitis B/C prevalence is estimated between two and four percent. Through the study, the research team will develop recommendations to raise awareness of this issue and identify unsafe practices.  Researchers will identify culturally relevant control strategies in preventing the transmission of BBPs and assess current prevention practices. “This work is important for the School of Nursing, as it builds upon knowledge developed during previous research conducted in Maryland and extends its reach to address the health and safety of health care workers in Haitian hospitals.  Our work will also provide the opportunity for future collaborations around workforce protection between UMSON and its Haitian colleagues,” Lipscomb said. “The recent epidemic of Ebola infections among health care workers demonstrates the need for further global research into protecting health care workers from exposure to a range of workplace hazards, including infectious diseases.” The University of Maryland: MPowering the State fosters a working relationship between the University of Maryland, Baltimore and University of Maryland, College Park campuses that demonstrate teamwork and collaboration. This joint effort is expected to have a great impact on the state, its economy, the job market and the next generation of innovators.  Seed grant funding can be used to develop new tools such as technologies that improve health care. “We are pleased to be part of MPower, which is designed to promote innovation and impact through collaboration, and to have this opportunity to work with our colleagues at the University of Maryland, College Park on this important research effort in Haiti,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.   # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Informatics Enabling Patient-Centered Care Across the Continuum Judy Ozbolt, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FAIMBEVisiting Professor and Chair, Summer Institute in Nursing InformaticsUniversity of Maryland School of Nursing Hundreds of nurses and other informatics professionals convened in Baltimore July 16-18 for the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s 24th Annual Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics (SINI), while dozens more followed the proceedings live via Web streaming. With support from sponsors ESD Consulting and HIMSS, this year’s SINI described new roles for clinicians and informaticians in using informatics tools to support patient-centered care across settings. In addition, experts in two think tanks conducted during SINI explored ongoing challenges in interoperability and data analytics, focusing particularly on issues arising from patient-generated data and health information exchange across settings. National leaders in health informatics filled plenary sessions with a set of distinguished lectures. In the opening keynote address, Philip Fasano, executive vice president and chief information officer, Kaiser Permanente, described online tools that Kaiser members may use to manage their health and communicate with their providers.  Martin Kohn, chief medical scientist, Care Delivery Systems, Jointly Health, opened day two with a discussion about big data and clinical decision support. Later in the day, participants had the opportunity to hear a follow-up presentation by Eric Siegel, professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine, about what must happen before Watson, IBM’s super computer, can support bedside care. The focus shifted from big data to personal health management in a presentation by a representative of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Ellen Makar, senior policy advisor, described initiatives ONC is undertaking to help individuals and families engage in reaching their health goals through the use of computer-based and mobile health applications.  Molly McCarthy, chief nursing strategist, Microsoft U.S. Health and Life Sciences, opened day three  by telling participants about new Microsoft initiatives in health care and personal health management.  Finally, Patricia Flatley Brennan, professor of nursing and industrial engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, gave the endnote address, inviting participants to look at emerging technologies that will transform both the delivery of health care and personal health management. Interspersed with the distinguished lectures were 34 invited and peer-reviewed podium presentations offered in concurrent sessions. An additional 27 peer-reviewed poster presentations sparked lively discussions during the poster session. Participants also enjoyed networking at the Exhibitor Evening. In addition to the showcase of products and services aimed at nursing informatics, participants met the authors of popular nursing informatics texts at a book signing and got acquainted with colleagues they had been following on Twitter at a Tweet Meet. The essence of SINI remains the quality of the content, the expertise and generosity of the presenters, and the collegiality of the participants. We were honored to receive a large number of excellent abstracts. The abstracts were carefully reviewed and scored by the 16-member planning committee, and awards were given to the highest-rated abstracts for poster and podium presentations in the categories of research and practice. In addition, attendees at the poster session voted for a People’s Choice award.  Click here to view the entire article in the CIN Journal.

Assistant professor will investigate asthma control in children with sleep apnea. Baltimore, Md. –Valerie E. Rogers, PhD, RN, CNRP, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a Biomedical Research Grant from the American Lung Association. Biomedical Research Grants provide seed money to junior investigators researching the mechanisms of lung disease and general lung biology.  Rogers has been allotted $40,000 for the 2015 fiscal year, with a possible second year of funding. Rogers’ project, Biomarkers of Airway Inflammation and Asthma Control in Children with Comorbid Sleep-Disordered Breathing, investigates the mechanisms that cause the symptoms of children’s asthma to worsen when coupled with sleep apnea.  She will team with University of Maryland School of Medicine faculty members Mary E. Bollinger, DO, associate professor; Jeffrey D. Hasday, MD, professor; and Steven M. Scharf, MD, PhD, professor; and Shijun Zhu, PhD, a biostatistician at UMSON.  Childhood asthma is a chronic disease that affects nine percent of children nationwide and is particularly high in Baltimore, as the hospitalization rate is two to three times the national rate. “Sleep apnea in children is associated with poor asthma control, but the reason for this association is unclear. Our study will measure inflammation in the tonsils of asthmatic children who have tonsillectomy for sleep apnea so that we can better understand the contribution of sleep apnea to upper airway inflammation, and its association with asthma control,” Rogers said. “Working in a city like Baltimore, where the rate of pediatric hospital admission for asthma is high, there is an urgency in finding modifiable risk factors, such as sleep apnea, to improve asthma control and help children lead a healthy life.”  American Lung Association offers a highly-competitive research program, which is funded through its Awards and Grants Program. The Awards and Grants Program aims to foster laboratory, patient-centered, and social-behavioral research designed to prevent and relieve the suffering associated with all lung diseases, and corresponding risk factors. Additionally, the Program seeks to fund researchers at important crossroads of their careers to gain long-term commitment to lung disease research. “The American Lung Association selects its recipients from the best and brightest basic science researchers. We are very proud of Dr. Rogers for being recognized as a top-notch researcher,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Childhood asthma and sleep apnea are very important health issues both locally and nationally, and I am confident that Dr. Rogers and her team will make strides in curbing this chronic disease.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The Baltimore Sun recently published this article, entitled, "Equality's Struggles," highlighting the great civil rights work of several Baltimoreans. Among them were Esther McCready, the first African-American graduate of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, andLarry Gibson, LLB, professor of law for forty years at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. In honor of their achievements, and to expound the University's support for equality of opportunity, University of Maryland, Baltimore PresidentJay A. Perman, MD and University of Maryland School of Nursing Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, wrote the following response, which appeared in the paper on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That landmark federal legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It also ended discrimination in schools, workplaces, and public accommodations. A Foundation for Advancement We are writing in response to the June 30 Baltimore Sun article"Equality's Struggles," featuring Esther McCready, a 1953 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The article's sub-head, "Setting the Foundation," could not be more appropriate. For the past 60 years, the foundation set by Ms. McCready's courage and fortitude has continued to open doors not only for African-American nursing students but for minority students in all the professional schools (dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and social work) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Small in stature and soft in voice, Ms. McCready had no idea how her initial letter of interest to the School of Nursing in 1948 would impact generations to come. She did not set out to make history, but that is what she did. The school of nursing currently boasts a minority enrollment of 37 percent, of which 53 percent are African-American. The UMB campus enrollment includes 37 percent minority students, more than a third of whom are African-American. Prestigious African-American nursing alumnae such as Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams, MS '99, chief nurse officer, U.S. Public Health Service, andRuby L. Wesley-Shadow, PhD '87, RN, associate chief of nursing education and research, Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center, were able to reach their goals due to Ms. McCready's "can do" spirit and pioneering efforts. All these years later, Ms. McCready still attends School of Nursing events and has served on the school's Board of Visitors. Students of all races clamor to meet her when she visits the school. Our Living History Museum (one of few museums in the nation located in a nursing school) boasts an exhibit dedicated to Ms. McCready. We are very proud to count Esther McCready among our 20,000 University of Maryland School of Nursing alumni. We at UMB are also very proud to count as one of our own another Baltimore civil rights leader featured in "Equality's Struggles." Larry Gibson is much more than a professor of law. Guided by his own struggles growing up in segregated Baltimore, Mr. Gibson has been a forceful advocate for equality, serving in the U.S. Justice Department, and as campaign manager and advisor to many local, state and national political campaigns. His research and writings have brought to vivid life the legacy of slavery and the history of civil rights in Maryland, most notably the amazing story of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, which Mr. Gibson eloquently describes in his book, "Young Thurgood: The Making of a Supreme Court Justice." The University of Maryland, Baltimore is committed to addressing the call for a professional workforce that better reflects the demography of our city, state and nation. To that end, we are deeply engaged in a number of pipeline initiatives intended to excite and prepare our youth for opportunities in health, law and social work. The stories of Esther McCready and Larry Gibson, and their contributions to our university, remind us that we must never lessen that commitment. Posting Date: 07/02/2014 Contact Name: Alex Likowski Contact Phone: 410-706-3801 Contact Email: alikowski@umaryland.edu

Program aims to increase number of doctoral-prepared faculty members and advance practice nurses. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that it has been chosen by the Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare to participate in the Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholar Program. Eight UMSON doctoral students will be provided with financial assistance, leadership development, and networking support through the Program. PhD students Lauren Bently, MS '12, RN, and Elizabeth Heetderks, ACNP, were selected PhD Jonas Nurse Leader Scholars. Doctor of Nursing Practice students Sharon Smith, MS, RN, OCN, CCRP, FNE, Christine Simon-Waterman, MSN, RN, CRNP, and Linda Murray, MS ‘84, CRNP-Ped, a clinical instructor at UMSON, were named Jonas-Blaustein Nurse Leader Scholars.  PhD students Irene Akande, MSN, MS, BSN ’05, Valerie Dernetz, MA, BSN ’02, RN, and Marik Moen, MSN, MPH, RN, an assistant professor at UMSON, were named Jonas Veterans Healthcare Scholars. Supported by the Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare, the program aims to increase the number of doctoral-prepared faculty members to teach in nursing schools nationwide and advance practice nurses to provide direct patient care.  Jonas Scholars will receive a total of $10,000 from 2014-2016, which will be used for tuition and other academic costs. The Program will support a total of 250 Scholars—100 students for the Jonas Veterans Healthcare Program and 150 as Nurse Leader Scholars.  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Haut becomes president of NAPNAP in July 2015. Baltimore, Md. – Catherine Haut, DNP '10, MS '93, RN, CRNP, PNP, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been elected president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners’ (NAPNAP).  Haut, who begins her term as president-elect on July 1, is only the fourth member of NAPNAP’s Maryland chapter to be appointed national president. As president-elect, Haut will be working closely with the current president in preparation for leading the executive committee and teaming with NAPNAP’s chief executive officer to represent the Association on pediatric initiatives, policies, and practices once she assumes the presidency. Executive committee members serve three-year terms, beginning as president-elect for a year, followed by a year as president. After their presidency, they complete their term with a year as past-president.  Haut becomes president in July 2015.   “It is truly an honor to be elected by my Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) colleagues, and I look forward to representing them in many facets of pediatric health care.  In my role as president, I hope to support the NAPNAP mission of empowering PNPs and their health care partners in enhancing child and family health,” Haut said. “I am looking forward to increasing the visibility of the role of PNPs through working with other organizations while representing the interests of pediatric nursing and medicine.” NAPNAP is a professional association that actively advocates for children’s health through providing funding, education, and research opportunities for pediatric nurse practitioners.  The Association seeks to empower PNPs and their health care partners to enhance child and family health through practice, leadership, advocacy, education, and research. “We are very proud of Dr. Haut for assuming this important national leadership role for pediatric nurse practitioners,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I am confident that she will excel in representing the interests of pediatric nursing while serving as an ambassador for the University of Maryland School of Nursing.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The 2014-2015 President’s Symposium and White Paper Project topic has been announced! During the next academic year, the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the surrounding communities will engage in discussions on meaningful ways of engaging with the community. The President’s Symposium and White Paper Project is a year-long, Interprofessional initiative during which faculty, staff, students and community members will join in a conversation that impacts the University and surrounding community. We are now accepting applications for President’s Fellows. Please forward this email to any students who you believe will be interested in being part of an interprofessional team that will be responsible for providing UMB senior leadership with recommendations on how to advance deep and meaningful community engaged learning, service and scholarship. The selection process is rigorous and we hope to have competitive candidates from all of the professional schools. The President’s Fellows application is due on Friday, June 27 at 5 p.m. You can find more information about the President’s Symposium and previous years topic here. The speakers for the President’s Symposium Speaker Series will be announced soon. This year’s Symposium is a joint initiative of the President’s Office, the Office of Interprofessional Student Learning and Service Initiatives (ISLSI) and the Center for Community Based Engagement and Learning. Please contact ISLSI with any questions you may have: ISLSI@umaryland.edu.

To continually ensure that our educational programs are effective, of the highest quality, and meet the established standards of undergraduate and graduate (master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-master’s Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certificate) programs in nursing education, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is seeking a 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). CCNE will conduct an on-site accreditation visit at UMSON September 22-24, 2014. In accordance with their Procedures for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Degree Nursing Programs, CCNE provides the opportunity for program constituents to submit, in writing, third-party comments concerning a program’s qualifications for accreditation status. Third-party comments must relate to the CCNE Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation/Standards-Amended-2013.pdf), and must be signed and received at the CCNE offices by August 23, 2014. Comments are shared only with the CCNE evaluation team appointed to review UMSON programs. All concerns related to the accreditation standards will be identified in the accreditation report and UMSON will have an opportunity to respond to those concerns as part of its response to that report. Please submit comments via email to Catherine Sneed, CCNE Accreditation Coordinator, at: csneed@aacn.nche.edu. Or, you can mail comments to: Catherine Sneed, Accreditation Coordinator Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530 Washington, DC 20036

Scholarships support second-career nurses from groups underrepresented in the profession. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that for the sixth time, it has been selected as a grant recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Careers in Nursing (NCIN) Scholarship Program. UMSON is one of 52 schools of nursing that will comprise the final cohort of the program. Ten $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to UMSON for the 2014-2015 academic year for newly-admitted students in the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s degree option. At the end of round seven, 63 students will have received a total of $630,000 in scholarship funds. In addition to the monetary award, NCIN scholars have access to a variety of academic resources and serve as mentors to other students. “Since 2008, New Careers in Nursing has made amazing strides in helping schools of nursing recruit and retain diverse students in these competitive and rigorous accelerated degree programs,” said David Krol, MD, MPH, FAAP, RWJF senior program officer. “Through supporting these institutions, NCIN is working to increase the diversity of our nursing workforce, while also assisting schools of nursing in making their institutions more inclusive. The leadership, mentoring, and other support these institutions provide is helping prepare a diverse nursing workforce to be able to meet the challenges associated with building a culture of health in our nation.” “Because relatively few scholarships are available for CNL students, we are especially pleased that UMSON has once again been awarded these funds, which will help reduce the financial burden for our students,” said Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD, PMHCNS, BC, CNL, associate professor and director of the CNL master’s option. “Previous scholarship recipients have been grateful for these funds and have used them for tuition, books, child care costs, and other living expenses.”  NCIN grantee schools must maintain leadership and mentoring programs for their scholars. The schools are also required to provide a pre-entry immersion program to assist scholars with learning essential study, test-taking, and other skills needed to succeed in their program of study. For more information about the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program, visit www.newcareersinnursing.org.  To learn more about UMSON’s CNLmaster’s option, visit http://www.nursing.umaryland.edu/academic-programs/grad/masters-degree/cnl. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has placed a high priority on interprofessional education (IPE) and its importance is recognized in the University's 2011-2016 Strategic Plan. To encourage faculty members from multiple schools to work together for this purpose, the UMB Center for Interprofessional Education has awarded seed grants to interdisciplinary teams whose 13-month pilot projects will be carried out by June 2015.The selection of the six grantees was based on an evaluation of proposals that met criteria in one of two categories for collaborative work: Interprofessional team-based care: Care delivered by intentionally created, usually relatively small work groups in health care, who are recognized by others as well as by themselves as having a collective identity and shared responsibility for a patient or group of patients. Interprofessional education: "When students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes" (World Health Organization, 2010). Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (SON) and director of the center, shown in the photo above, speaks on behalf of its leaders in congratulating the winners. The IPE center's co-directors are Heather Congdon, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, assistant dean, School of Pharmacy (SOP) at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG); David Mallott, MD, associate dean, medical education, School of Medicine (SOM); and Edward Pecukonis, MSW, PhD, associate professor, School of Social Work (SSW). Teams consisting of faculty from two or more disciplines were required to propose projects that will be practice or classroom focused, with educational and evaluative components employing the Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice. sponsored by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative. The grant recipients are: Philip Dittmar, MD, and Norman Retener, MD, both of the SOM, $10,000. Other faculty participating are Sandeep Devabhakthuni, PharmD, BCPS; and Jeffrey Gonzales, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, both of the SOP; Sai-Ho Jason Chui, PharmD, BCPS, of the University of Maryland Medical Center, Pharmacy; and Mary Fey, MS, RN, of the SON. The proposal, "Rapid Response:ý An Interprofessional Approach," will allow nursing, pharmacy and medical students to collaboratively manage a simulated patient (high fidelity mannequin) through a series of enhanced acute-care scenarios. Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, of the SON, $9,000. Faculty participants include the SOPýs Congdon and Mary Lang, MBA, both of USG; Joan Pittman, PhD, MSW, LCSW-C, of the SSW; and two faculty members from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Diane Alonso, PhD, of UMBC's Department of Psychology and Katherine Morris, LCSW-C, of UMBC's School of Social Work.ý The proposal, "Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Interprofessional Summer Internship," will bring together students for an eight-week period from two academic institutions, UMB and UMBC. Representing the four disciplines of nursing, social work, pharmacy, and psychology, the students will observe interdisciplinary teamwork within the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. Kerri Thom, MD, MS, of the SOM, $9,000. Participating faculty members are Alison Duffy, PharmD, BCOP, and Emily Heil, PharmD, BCPS, both of the SOP; Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN, of the SON; and Daniel Morgan, MD, MS, of the SOM and the VA Maryland Health Care System. The proposal, "Interprofessional Approach to Teaching Patient Safety and Quality Improvement at the Point of Care," will develop an opportunity for students of multiple disciplines to learn to identity potential patient safety and quality improvement issues in the setting of the medical intensive care unit at UMMC. Sandra Quezada, MD, MS, of the SOM, $8,000. Faculty participants include Jody Olsen, PhD, MSW; of the SSW, Bonnie Bissonette, MA, of the UMB Student Center for Global Education, and Amy Ramirez, MA, of the UMB Office of International Scholar and Student Services. The proposal, "Spanish for Health Professions Providers," is a new initiative that builds on the framework of an existing SOM with the objective of expanding access to Spanish education to students at all UMB professional schools. Sarah Edwards, DO, of the SOM, $6,000. Faculty members include Sean Pustilnik, MD, of the SOM, Susan dosReis, PhD, of the SOP, and three participants with UMMC affiliations: Shari Simone, DNP, CPNP-AC, FCCM, of the SON; Allison Lardieri, PharmD, of the SOP; and Linda Kyle Walker, MD, FCCM, of the SOM. The proposal, "The Pediatric TEAM (Training, Education, Assessment and Management of Delirium) Program," will help medical, nursing and pharmacy students learn collaborative care of children who are predisposed to and/or experiencing delirium in critical care settings. Shannon Idzik, DNP, CRNP, of the SON, $5,000. Faculty participants include Jackie Fried, RDH, MS, and David Williams, DDS, MS, MPH, both of the School of Dentistry (SOD); and Jane Kapustin, PhD, CRNP, of the SON. The proposal, "Use of Simulation to Augment Interprofessional Learning in the Emergency Department," will bring together dental, dental hygiene and nurse practitioner students in a clinical simulation focused on oral health of patients who present with non-life threatening dental complaints in hospital emergency departments. Contact Name: Patricia FanningContact Phone: 410-706-7946Contact Email: pfanning@son.umaryland.edu

Heavy rain did not dampen the spirit of School of Nursing graduates who celebrated the successful completion of their nursing degrees Friday, May 16, at the Baltimore Arena. The Class of 2014 consisted of 289 Bachelor of Science in Nursing,  288 Master of Science, 13 Doctor of Nursing Practice, and five PhD graduates, making it the largest class of nursing graduates in the state of Maryland The ceremony began with the presentation of the School of Nursing’s new ceremonial mace by Jay A. Perman, MD, president, University of Maryland, Baltimore (see below). Convocation speaker Susan D. Finlayson, DNP, RN, NE-BC, senior vice president of operations at Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, shared two principles for graduates to add to their toolboxes – the first, to begin with the end in mind; the second, to always strive for excellence. “I don’t know what your differences will be, but I do know that if you stay true to your values, begin with the end in mind, and always strive for excellence, you will end the day knowing you have done what you could and that tomorrow is a new day,” she said. Two faculty members were honored with Excellence in Teaching Awards. Regina Donovan Twigg, DNP, RN, assistant professor, received the award for undergraduate education, and Kathryn VonRueden, MS, RN, CNS-BC, FCCM, associate professor, received the award for graduate education. This is the first time these awards had been presented, beginning a new tradition at the School of Nursing. Professor Sandra McLeskey, PhD, RN, who is retiring this spring, had the honor of being the first carrier of the new ceremonial mace, leading graduates and faculty members from the arena at the close of the ceremony. Later in the day, School of Nursing graduates participated in the University of Maryland, Baltimore Commencement ceremony at Baltimore Arena. Commencement speaker Wes Moore, MLitt, asked graduates: "What's your work? What is your purpose?" challenging them to build careers that would provide gratifying replies at some point in the future. In his remarks, the best-selling author and entrepreneur said they should be concerned not so much where they will work but to whom it will matter that they did so. Geraldine “Polly” Bednash, PhD, RN, FAAN, former chief executive officer, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, was among the three honorary degree recipients lauded for their exemplary work.  She received an honorary doctorate of public service. Click here to view a slideshow of Convocation 2014 photos.  Ceremonial Mace Celebrates School of Nursing’s 125th Anniversary The ceremonial mace presented to the School of Nursing at Convocation 2014 by Jay A. Perman, MD, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), celebrates the School of Nursing‘s 125th anniversary. Ceremonial maces are ornamental staffs made of wood and metal that are carried by an honored designee at graduation or other significant university events. When used, the mace is a focal point of the beginning and ending processionals. The School of Nursing’s mace was crafted by Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACS, senior vice president, academic affairs and chief academic and research officer at UMB, with the assistance of his daughter, Gwynneth, BSN ‘06. The walnut staff is topped with a bronze and copper replica of the School of Nursing Alumni Association pin. The design of the steel mace holder is based on elements of the Maryland state flag, and was created by Ukrainian blacksmith Anatoliy Rudek and Dr. Jarrell. The oak and ebony base was crafted by Dr. Jarrell’s sister, Bess Naylor, a UMB alumna who received a master’s degree from the School of Medicine in 1977. When not in use, the mace will be prominently displayed in the School of Nursing building.

New initiative should increase number of BSN-prepared nurses. Baltimore, Md. – Beginning in spring 2015, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will offer its Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree option at the Laurel College Center (LCC), located at 312 Marshall Ave, Laurel. The program will be supported through a $345,412, University System of Maryland Non-USM Regional Higher Education Centers Incentive Funding Request during fiscal years 2015 and 2016. This new initiative at LCC is in response to Maryland’s increasing demand for bachelor’s-prepared nurses. During the past year, UMSON revised its RN-to-BSN option based on feedback from stakeholders, students, and faculty members affiliated with Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) institutions in Maryland. “Both Howard and Prince George’s Community Colleges prepare a large number of ADN graduates. This new offering at LCC will provide an opportunity for ADNs in this region to obtain their BSN degree,” said Janice Hoffman, PhD, RN, ANEF, assistant professor and assistant dean for the BSN program at UMSON. “Registered nurses from other Maryland counties are also eligible to attend RN-to-BSN courses at LCC.” According to both the 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, and the 2009 Carnegie report, Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical Transformation, there is a need to increase the number of BSN-prepared registered nurses. With the increasingly complex health care needs of patients, RNs now need specific competencies in care coordination, management of patients with complex needs, and transitional care issues. The IOM report calls for 80 percent of nurses to hold at least a BSN degree by 2020.  Maryland’s statewide education articulation agreement aims to minimize potential barriers to educational advancement while encouraging nurses to achieve the highest level of education possible. The RN-to-BSN option, which requires 31 academic credits for completion, is already being offered at UMSON in Baltimore and at the Universities at Shady Grove. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Grant aims to improve first-time pass rate of National Council Licensure Exam for ESL students. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been awarded an 18-month, $200,000 grant through the Who Will Care? Project Hope initiative. It is designed to increase retention, graduation, and first-time pass rates on the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) of students for whom English is a second language (ESL). Project Hope is an enhanced support program to increase the academic performance of pre-licensure ESL students in Adult Health Nursing, UMSON’s key medical/surgical course. An institutional study found that there is a link between first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of ESL students and their ability to excel in Adult Health Nursing. The study also revealed that ESL students scored significantly lower in the course than their native English-speaking classmates. Adult Health Nursing has proven to be a solid indicator of likely retention, graduation, and first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s option. Over the past five years, UMSON boasted high first-time pass rates of the NCLEX-RN, as 91.5 percent of BSN students and 92.7 percent of CNL students passed on the first try, respectively. However, 75 percent of UMSON students who did not pass on the first attempt were ESL students. “This grant supports our efforts to enhance the learning of UMSON students for whom English is not their first language,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Increasing the retention, graduation, and first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of ESL students will help grow the number of ESL nurses entering into practice, which will help diversify the health care workforce.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. –Joseph E. Pellegrini, PhD, CRNA, associate professor and director of the Nurse Anesthesia specialty at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been appointed to the Council on Patient Safety in Women’s Health Care. The Council’s mission is to improve patient safety in women’s health care through multidisciplinary collaboration that drives culture change. A unique consortium that champions women’s health, the Council consists of 14 member organizations that have teamed to promote safe health care for women.  The Council seeks to better understand the causes of harm during care and to disseminate patient safety information. Through fostering programs and tools that implement safety initiatives, and by encouraging a health care culture of respect, transparency, and accountability, the number of patients harmed during care is expected to decrease. “Rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States are increasing and are now at levels twice as high as those in Western Europe.  To address this, the National Partnership for Maternal Safety was formed to develop patient evidenced-based safe practice guidelines to improve patient outcomes,” Pellegrini said. “I am honored to be asked to serve on this Council and am looking forward to the opportunity to make a difference in the promotion of patient safety in women’s health care.”   Pellegrini, the only Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist serving on the Council, is also a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, which is a supporting organization of the consortium. The Council has been diligently working to improve the safety of women’s health care since 2011. “Providing safe and effective health services to women is a very serious issue. Dr. Pellegrini’s selection to the Council is a great opportunity for him to continue to make a difference in this arena,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I am confident that he will be an asset to the Council as it continues to make strides in providing safer care for women.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Rebecca Wiseman, PhD ‘93, RN, assistant professor and assistant dean for the UMSON program at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), has been awarded the USG Board of Advisors’ Kendall Service Award for Program Director of the Year. Nominees for the award must have at least two years of service to USG; been instrumental in creating a unique campus environment that is supportive of student success through activities such as community service and academic achievement; helped advance students’ careers and educational goals through high-level access to development opportunities such as job and internship placements; and fostered peer development, collaboration, advocacy, and training through innovative programs. “I am honored to have been selected for this prestigious award,” Wiseman said. “Nominations came from students, faculty, and staff members at USG, and a panel of peers made the final selection. So it’s a very humbling experience to have such support.”    The Program Director of the Year, created in 2013, is one of three Kendall Service Awards given by the USG Board of Advisors each spring. Former USG Board of Advisors member Cliff Kendall and his wife Camille established the awards to recognize faculty members, program directors, and staff members who have performed exceptionally in supporting student success at USG. “Dr. Wiseman is truly dedicated to the success of our students. She is an innovative leader who equips our students with the tools to succeed at a high level once they have entered the workforce,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This award shows how much we all appreciate Dr. Wiseman’s efforts.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Mary E. (Meg) Johantgen, PhD, RN, associate professor and interim assistant dean for the PhD program, has accepted the position permanently. As assistant dean, Johantgen is tasked with ensuring that graduates of the PhD program are well-prepared to meet the demands of future health research. She will be responsible for evaluating the curriculum, recruiting highly-competitive students nationally and internationally, and increasing the number of students who successfully compete for extramural funding. “I am eager to lead UMSON’s PhD program during this exciting time as we work to increase our interdisciplinary collaborations in education and research,” Johantgen said. “There are also opportunities for increased synergy by facilitating collaboration between Doctor of Nursing Practice and PhD students.” Prior to beginning her tenure at UMSON as an assistant professor in 1998, Johantgen served on the faculty at three other universities, where she taught health systems, research methods, and data management.  She also worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and in private industry, where she studied health care quality. As a co-investigator on numerous funded projects, Johantgen’s research interests have expanded to the implementation of evidence and the influence of regulation on patient outcomes.  She is also a member of the American Nurses Credentialing Center Research Council and has been a reviewer on numerous scientific review panels. “We need a visionary leader who can take our PhD program to the next level,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “I am confident that Dr. Johantgen will effectively lead our faculty, staff, and students in ensuring that the School reaches its goals. The program is in very capable hands.”   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

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Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing is pleased to announce that Robin P. Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, has been selected to an Institute of Medicine (IOM) research committee. Newhouse will serve on the IOM’s Treatment of Cardiac Arrest: Current Status and Future Directions Committee. The Committee will focus on the current status and future opportunities to improve cardiac arrest outcomes in the U.S. In conducting this study, researchers will examine current statistics and variability in survival rates from cardiac arrest. Additionally, the study will access existing life-saving therapies and public health strategies that could improve survival rates. Committee members will also focus on promising areas of research and future steps to improve the quality of patient care. “This consensus study will focus on understanding the evidence on outcomes for people who have experienced cardiac arrest both in the community and in the hospital,” Newhouse said. “I am proud to work with the committee on this important health priority to improve the quality of care.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. –Kyunsook Gartrell, MS ’10, RN, BSN ’05, a PhD student at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded the Medical Informatics Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship is a component of the Medical Informatics Training Program at the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC). The yearlong fellowship, which begins July 1, provides training and research opportunities for PhD and MD students, with a goal of producing future leaders in medical informatics research. Fellowship recipients will work with LHNCBC research staff preceptors, which will provide opportunities to make significant contributions to their fields. “This fellowship will allow me to receive further training in nursing informatics while I continue to expand my area of expertise, particularly in electronic personal health records,” Gartrell said. “I’m looking forward to being involved in ongoing, high-level research projects at the National Library of Medicine.” Awardees must have experience in content-based image retrieval, document image analysis and understanding, medical image processing, named entity recognition, natural language processing, or Web document analysis. Gartrell’s background is in Web documentation analysis. “This is a great opportunity for Kyunsook to continue to sharpen her informatics skills as she continues on her journey to be a leader in informatics research,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “We are extremely pleased that Kyunsook is being recognized for her work in informatics.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Six School of Nursing students accompanied Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, to Annapolis for the School’s annual Advocacy Day on March 11. Their goal was to deliver one central message to lawmakers — the health care of Marylanders depends on well-educated nurses. Assisting Dean Kirschling in reinforcing the School of Nursing’s message were Doctor of Nursing Practice students Sonia Brown, MS ‘99, RN, ACNP-BC and Cheryl Harrow, MS ‘01, FNP-BC, RNC-LRN, IBCLC; Bachelor of Science in Nursing students Brian Hoffman and Natalie Colville; and Clinical Nurse Leader students  Christopher Gawrych and Winnie Makawa.  Each student was given the opportunity to shadow a legislator for the morning. Senators Thomas M. Middleton, District 28, Charles County; Paul G. Pinsky, District 22, Prince George’s County; and Katherine A. Klausmeier, District 8, Baltimore County; and Delegates Brian K. McHale, District 46, Baltimore City; Herbert H. McMillan, District 30, Anne Arundel County; and Melvin L. Stukes, District 44, Baltimore City, took time to meet with students.    Dean Kirschling reinforced the important topics to discuss with legislators before everyone officially began their day. She reminded students that although the nursing shortage has been reduced due to the economy and Baby Boomer nurses remaining in the workforce, they can’t be complacent in advocating for well-educated nurses. “It is very important that legislators hear our message today. We want to provide high-quality health care. In order to do that, we need a well-educated nursing workforce,” Dean Kirschling said. “We are pleased to continue to produce well-educated nurses for Maryland, the region, and the world.” Dean Kirschling also implored students to talk with legislators about helping to shoulder the cost of graduate-level education. Nursing students rely heavily on financial aid and scholarships to offset the cost of their education. The need for financial support for tuition is definitely something that Brown, a Jonas Scholar, can identify with and had no problem advocating for. "Without the funds that I have received, I’d be in debt with student loans,” Brown said. “To be able to walk away after graduation with minimal debt is great. As a single mother with a school-aged child, it would have been a real struggle without the support of the Jonas Scholarship.” Other items on Dean Kirschling’s agenda were gaining the continued support of the Maryland legislature for the Governor’s Wellmobile Program and the removal of barriers to practice for advance practice registered nurses (APRNs).  APRNs are essential to meeting the health care needs of Marylanders, the operation of the Wellmobile, and other community initiatives that impact the health of the underinsured and underserved residents of Maryland. Students joined their assigned legislator on the floor of the General Assembly where they heard discussion on speed cameras, medical marijuana, and other issues. Attendees left with a keener understanding of how our government works and the importance of advocating for the needs of improved health care. “We have to be involved at all levels,” Brown said. “In order to get what we want, we have to be at the table where the discussions are taking place.”

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Shannon Idzik, DNP ’10, MS, ’03, CRNP, CCRN, assistant professor and director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, has been selected to the 2014 Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) program.  Adjunct faculty member Carmel McComiskey, DNP ’10, MS ’96, CRNP, director of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, University of Maryland Medical Center, has also been selected to the program. FAANP members are visionaries committed to the development of imaginative and creative future nurse practitioner leaders. Fellows are charged with impacting national and global health through engaging recognized nurse practitioner leaders who have greatly influenced clinical practice, research, education, or policy while enhancing AANP’s mission. “Hard work and dedication to my profession has always been rewarding for me, but even more so when it is recognized by my peers. This is a huge honor,” Idzik said.  “As an AANP Fellow, I will continue to promote high-quality, accessible health care.  In particular, I plan to lead policy initiatives to gain full practice authority for nurse practitioners across the nation.” AANP Fellows have demonstrated exceptional contributions to clinical practice, research, education, or policy.  Established in 2000, the FAANP program is dedicated to the global advancement of nurse practitioners and the delivery of high-quality health care.  The program not only enhances the AANP’s mission, but also develops nurse practitioner leaders of the future while furthering the field. “It is satisfying to see Dr. Idzik rewarded for her tireless work and remarkable contributions as a nurse practitioner,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Dr. Idzik is an invaluable member of our faculty. The School has been fortunate to have a nurse educator of Dr. Idzik’s caliber to educate and mentor future advanced practice nurses.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

University of Maryland School of Nursing Dean Emeritus Nan Hechenberger, PhD, RN, died Thursday, March 6. She served as the School’s third dean from 1978-1989. Prior to her appointment as dean, Dr. Hechenberger was a faculty member in the administration and education component of the School’s graduate program and earlier taught in the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing (WRAIN) program. From 1989-1996 she served as president of Neumann College in Aston, Penna. Some highlights of Dr. Hechenberger’s tenure include the launch of one of the nation’s first PhD nursing programs; the establishment of the nation’s first master’s program in trauma critical care; and the addition of graduate programs in health policy, nursing administration, and gerontology. A  Board of Visitors was initiated and the School’s first endowed chair—the Sonya Gershowitz Goodman Endowed Chair in Gerontology—was established. Dr. Hechenberger made a tremendous impact on the School of Nursing and she will be sorely missed by the School of Nursing community. Please keep her husband, Lou, and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Condolences can be sent to: Mr. Lou Hechenberger and Family9 George’s WayGlen Mills, PA 19342  Arrangements are as follows: Tuesday, March 11 – Viewing at 8 a.m.; Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. – St. Cornelius Catholic Church, 160 Ridge Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 

Baltimore, Md. – Jane Lipscomb, PhD, RN, FAAN, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, is a newly-elected Fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini. The Collegium is an academy comprised of elected Fellows who are distinguished, intellectually independent physicians, scientists and advocates. Fellows have devoted their professional lives to the improvement of occupational and environmental health. Candidates for this prestigious honor are pursued from every continent around the world. Each candidate must clearly demonstrate a scientific research and societal commitment to translating science into policy. “Dr. Lipscomb has worked tirelessly to investigate methods of preventing occupational injuries and illnesses in the workplace. It is very rewarding to see her efforts recognized internationally,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are proud to have Dr. Lipscomb representing the School of Nursing at home and abroad.” The Collegium seeks to advance the study of occupational and environmental health issues, bridging the world of scientific discovery with social and political centers. Lipscomb’s research focuses on the prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses in the health care and social service workplace. Additionally, she has led research on workplace violence prevention. “It’s an honor to join this elite and important international group of scientists.  My research into the health and safety hazards facing health care and social services workers and efforts to translate this research into public health policy is consistent with the Collegium's purpose of linking scientific discovery and social policy,” Lipscomb said.  “I look forward to being active in the organization and advancing my own work to make the workplace a safer and more just environment.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Alison Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, BSN, RN, FAAN, professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been honored with the 2014 Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) Distinguished Researcher Award. Trinkoff received the award at the SNRS Annual Conference held in San Antonio Feb. 12-15. SNRS’s Distinguished Researcher Award recognizes the contributions of an individual whose established program of research has enhanced the science and practice of nursing in the southern region. Recipients must demonstrate consistent evidence of outstanding scholarly contributions to nursing knowledge, a sustained publishing record and ongoing program of research, and documented contributions of research and research-related activities within the Southern region. “Dr. Trinkoff’s innovativeness has been on display throughout her tenure at UMSON.  Her work with the new generation of nurse scientists, as well as her contributions as a nurse researcher, have been outstanding and are a real asset to the School of Nursing and to the nursing profession,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I am pleased that Dr. Trinkoff is getting the recognition that she deserves as a nurse scientist.” Trinkoff’s award-winning research examined nurse substance use and injuries and the effects of adverse work schedules on nurses. Findings were used to support the implementation of policy initiatives for nurses’ health and the impact of long work hours on nurses and the patients they care for. Additionally, results were applied to improving care in nursing homes. “My findings indicate that the impact of nurses’ working conditions is far reaching, as they affect nurses’ health and their well-being as well as patient outcomes. Improving conditions for nurses will lead to better quality care and encourage them to remain in practice,” Trinkoff said. “I am honored to be recognized for my research by nursing colleagues and am thankful for my mentors and collaborators who also have contributed to these achievements.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Textbook awarded first place for Information Technology/Informatics. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Professor Nancy Staggers, PhD ‘92, RN, FAAN, has co-penned a health informatics textbook that received an American Journal of Nursing (AJN) Book of the Year Award. Staggers and co-author Ramona Nelson, PhD, RN-BC, ANEF, FAAN, professor emerita, Slippery Rock University, wrote Health Informatics: An Interprofessional Approach, which was awarded first place in the Information Technology/Informatics category for 2013. AJN award winners are chosen by an expert panel of judges for authoring what are widely considered the most valuable texts of the year. According to AJN, faculty, librarians, and readers often use this prestigious honor to determine which texts to purchase. Health Informatics: An Interprofessional Approach covers a wide range of skills and systems that prepares readers to work in today’s technology-based clinical field.  It is targeted to students in the health disciplines and is a comprehensive set of topics in contemporary informatics written by leaders in the field. Topics in the textbook include clinical decision support, clinical documentation, provider order entry systems, system implementation, adoption issues, and more. Additionally, the textbook features chapters written by field experts and case studies accompanied by discussion questions. “Dr. Nelson and I recognized the need for this text after spending many years working in the health information technology arena and teaching students about informatics. It’s an interdisciplinary endeavor, but texts were not yet available to address that perspective while providing a solid overview of the field,” Staggers said. “We are especially grateful for this award and the recognition by our colleagues as making a worthwhile contribution. It is a very exciting time to be in the field of health informatics." # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.  

Recipients will receive a $30,000 grant to assist with educational and professional expenses. Baltimore, Md. – Five faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) have been awarded the Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant (NEDG) for Practice and Dissertation Research. Bimbola Akintade, PhD ‘11, MS ’05, MBA, MHA, ACNP-BC, CCRN, BSN ‘03, assistant professor and specialty director, Trauma, Critical Care; Deborah Busch, DNP, CPNP-PC, CLC, assistant professor; Mary Fey, MS ‘01, RN, assistant professor and director, Clinical Simulation Laboratories; Margaret Hammersla, MS ‘05, RN, CRNP, BSN ‘95, assistant professor; and Rachel Onello, MS ‘07, RN, CNL, clinical instructor; received awards of $30,000. This competitive grant program is designed to assist PhD and Doctor of Nursing Practice candidates while pursuing their advanced degrees. Its goals are to increase the number of doctoral-prepared nursing faculty in the state of Maryland, strengthen faculty development for optimal capacity at schools of nursing, and recruit and retain a diverse nursing faculty. “This is a great opportunity for the School of Nursing and our nursing doctoral candidates interested in serving as nursing faculty,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I am happy that several of our faculty members will be taking advantage of a program that will advance their education and strengthen our program.” Grant recipients can use the funds for professional development; course release time; wages for research-related administrative support; or project-related expenses for supplies, travel, and document creation. NEDG is a statewide funding initiative supported by the Nurse Support Program II and is jointly approved by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and Maryland Higher Education Commission. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

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Thomas will continue to work with faculty and students. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Sue Ann Thomas, PhD, RN, MS ’72, BSN ’69, FAAN, former professor and assistant dean for the PhD program, has been granted professor emeritus status by the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Highlights from her tenure at the UMSON include leading an extensive update of the PhD curriculum and the development of the Centers of Research Excellence.  Although Thomas retired from UMSON in 2013, she continues to mentor PhD students and work with faculty members and researchers. She is currently helping six PhD students complete their dissertations and advising students on course work. “I am honored to have been appointed professor emeritus at the School of Nursing. As an alumna and faculty member of 25 years, I am enthusiastic and excited about continuing my rewarding relationship with the School,” Thomas said. “I look forward to mentoring our outstanding students and collaborating with my valued colleagues.” Thomas’s research focused on cardiovascular health. With a $1.2 million study from the National Institutes of Health, she compared the psychological outcomes of standard lay training in CPR to standard training plus the use of a home automatic external defibrillator. Thomas has served on the Maryland Heart Association’s Research and Nursing Education Committees and was a member of the American Nurses Association, the Association of Critical-Care Nurses, and the Maryland Nurses Association.  She authored and/or contributed to nearly 100 publications, including books, journals, book reviews, and editorials. Thomas is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. “Dr. Thomas is a well-respected mentor, teacher, and researcher,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her research, curriculum development, and mentorship of students and junior faculty have played an integral part in furthering the educational mission of the School of Nursing. I am very pleased that her efforts have been recognized through her selection as professor emeritus.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Rankings are based on research dollars NIH awards to the School. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) continues its ascension toward the top of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) rankings. UMSON now ranks ninth among nursing schools receiving grant funding from the NIH, up from 11th in 2012. Rankings are based on the amount of research dollars awarded by the NIH to each school. Each grant submission is reviewed by NIH experts for its scientific merit and program relevance. In 2013, UMSON faculty members attracted nearly $4.5 million in NIH grants for research in areas such as chronic pain, impulsivity and drug abuse, interventions for cognitively impaired seniors, neuromuscular disorders, sleep, Web-based interventions, and bone health. “It is incredible that we have steadily climbed in the NIH ranking and funding at a time when overall national spending has declined. I commend our entire faculty for making us a powerhouse among nursing schools,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “These funds play a tremendous role in helping innovative scientists launch their research careers and support the work of our nurse scientists.”   Research at UMSON produces high-impact findings that have the potential to significantly improve the health and quality of life for patients and their families. UMSON’s faculty performs research using the University’s two appointed Organized Research Centers −  Health Outcomes and Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan − through leveraged cross-disciplinary research collaboration. “This achievement is shared by all of our esteemed nurse scientists,” said Susan G. Dorsey, PhD ‘01, MS ’98, RN, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for research at UMSON. “Research funding from the NIH is increasingly competitive, so this is quite an accomplishment for our School.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Ann B. Mech is serving a three-year term on the Board. Ann B. MechBaltimore, Md. – Ann B. Mech, JD, MS '78, BSN '76, RN, assistant professor and legal affairs coordinator, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been appointed to the Maryland CareFirst Board of Directors. Mech, a resident of Howard County, is the only nurse on the Board. The Maryland CareFirst Board approves modifications to state benefit plans, provider networks, provider reimbursement levels, product underwriting guidelines, rating plans, marketing goals, and availability or affordability of health care in Maryland. As a member of the Board, Mech is tasked with ensuring that the officers of CareFirst act in accordance with the mission of its nonprofit health service plan. “I am honored to be a member of the board of directors of CareFirst of Maryland as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is implemented. CareFirst will play a vital role in making affordable health insurance accessible to individuals and families through the largest network of health care providers in the region,” Mech said. “I am looking forward to helping to ensure that the company adheres to its goal of providing health benefit services of value to customers across Maryland.” Mech is a long-time community volunteer having served on several local health-related boards, including Howard County's Board of Health and Howard County General Hospital’s Board of Trustees. In addition to the Maryland CareFirst Board of Directors, she is currently a member of the Vantage House Board of Trustees and the Nursing Advisory Board of Howard Community College. “Ann Mech has continually exhibited her leadership finesse and capabilities. She epitomizes the term ‘nurse leader’,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “CareFirst has remained a staunch champion of nurses and their critical importance in the transformation of health care. I speak for the entire Maryland Action Coalition in praising this appointment.” CareFirst is a nonprofit health care company independently licensed by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The health care company offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia through its affiliates and subsidiaries. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Program designed for nurse educators seeking a rapid transition into a leadership role. Baltimore, Md. – Veronica Amos, PhD, CRNA, MS ’00, BSN ‘99, assistant director, nurse anesthesia and assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been selected to participate in the 2014 National League for Nursing (NLN) LEAD program. LEAD, a part of the NLN Leadership Institute, focuses on leadership development for nurse educators that are emerging into administrative leadership roles. A year-long program, LEAD teams participants with peers and experts to examine issues related to leadership concepts and organizational systems. The program guides participants in developing strong management and leadership skills, the art of negotiation and communication within groups, and how to develop teams that perform at a high level. Additionally, the program helps members create a five-year, focused career plan; examine key issues in organizational dynamics; and implement an individual plan for leadership development. “It is an honor and a privilege to be selected to the NLN LEAD Program for Nurse Educators. I am so excited to be able to engage with other health professionals and learn to enhance my management and leadership skills,” Amos said. “During this year-long process, I look forward to examining leadership concepts and creating a focused career plan for my leadership development.” NLN, comprised of nurse educators, education agencies, health care agencies and interested members of the public, is dedicated to excellence in nursing education. Its members are offered faculty development programs, networking opportunities, nursing research grants, testing and assessment, and public policy initiatives. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Award given to new faculty members to offset educational and professional costs. Baltimore, Md. – Eight University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been given the New Nurse Faculty Fellowship Award, an award funded through the Nurse Support II Program (NSPII). NSPII is a statewide initiative designed to grow the number of nurses prepared to function effectively in a faculty role. UMSON Assistant Professors Deborah Busch, DNP, CPNP-PC, CLC; Linda Costa, PhD, RN, NEA-BC; Veronica Gutchell, DNP ‘13, RN, CNS, CRNP; Mei Ching Lee, PhD ‘11, MS, RN; Veronica, Njie-Carr, PhD; Barbara Walsh, DNP, MPH, RN, PHCNS-BC; and Clinical Instructor Janet Wulf, MS ‘06, RN, CNL, CHPN, were all recipients of the award. These fellowships will assist Maryland nursing programs in recruiting and retaining new nursing faculty to produce nursing graduates to staff Maryland hospitals. “We are extremely proud of the recognition of our exceptional nursing educators’ skills and their willingness to commit to teaching and preparing nurses to work with other health professionals,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The School remains dedicated to preparing the next generation of nurse leaders, and we are excited about the impact that our faculty members will make in the future.” State institutions with nursing degree programs are eligible to nominate an unlimited amount of newly-hired, full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty members for the fellowship. The maximum amount of the three-year fellowship is $20,000. Recipients receive $10,000 during year one, and then $5,000 for the remaining two years. Funds can be used to supplement a fellow’s salary, graduate education expenses, and professional development and associated dues. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Award given to retired former AACN institutional representative. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Dean Emeritus Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been awarded the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Emeritus Membership Award. AACN’s Emeritus Membership Award is presented to former AACN institutional representatives who have retired from the deanship and have been given the honorary title of emerita/emeritus by their former institution. Recipients of the award are recognized for providing outstanding service as a member of the AACN Board of Directors and/or other organizational leadership roles. “This award recognizes Dr. Allan’s outstanding contributions as a nurse researcher, mentor, and educator as well as her service to the University. She has dedicated her career to the advancement of nurses via education, science, and patient care on the local, state, national, and international levels,” said UMSON Dean and AACN President Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are happy that she is being recognized by AACN and the nursing profession for her commitment and countless contributions, spanning almost 50 years, to the ever-evolving world of nursing, education, and health care.” Allan’s service on AACN’s Board from 2006-2012, included a stint as treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee. She was also the Board liaison to the Clinical Nurse Leader Steering Committee and a member of the Future of Research Focused Doctorate and the DNP Essentials task forces. In addition, Allan served as a grass roots liaison for the state of Maryland and as the AACN representative to the National Nursing Research Roundtable and the Healthy People 2010. "I am truly honored to receive this award. It has been a privilege to be a participant in an organization that has contributed so much to nursing education," Allan said.   # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Board enhances and sustains competency of nurses caring for elderly patients. Baltimore, Md. – Barbara Resnick, PhD ‘96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been elected to the National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence’s (NHCGNE) Board of Directors. She is one of four new members that the Board has installed. Resnick will serve as the Board’s Director-at-Large.  In this role, she will help the Board facilitate the ongoing work of NHCGNE. The Board implements and sets the direction of NHCGNE’s strategic plan, formulates policy to be recommended to NHCGNE, approves the annual budget, and advises NHCGNE’s president on appointments to NHCGNE committees and task forces. Additionally, the Board promotes activities related to NHCGNE’s vision, mission, and goals. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the staff and leaders in the Hartford Centers of Nursing Excellence,” Resnick said. “It is an exciting time as we begin the new process of maintaining and disseminating the work that has been developed through the centers and other Hartford related projects.” The NHCGNE seeks to enhance and sustain the capacity and competency of nurses to provide quality care to older adults through faculty development, advancing gerontological nursing science, facilitating adoption practices, fostering leadership and designing and shaping policy. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Award recognizes nursing professional whose career has significantly impacted nursing informatics. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing is pleased to announce that Professor Nancy Staggers, PhD ‘92, RN, FAAN, will be the recipient of an American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) signature award. She will be presented with the Virginia K. Saba Informatics Award at AMIA’s leadership dinner being held Nov. 15 in Washington, D.C. This award is given to a nursing professional who has made a significant impact on the care of patients and the discipline of nursing. Honorees must have a focus in nursing informatics, a commitment to AMIA through membership, and have shown vision, leadership, and a global impact. The recipient must have made a strong contribution to the nursing professional practice, education, administration, research, and/or health policy. “Informatics tools have gone from novel and rare to essential and commonplace. It is a very exciting area of work,” Staggers said.  “I'm pleased to have been a part of the initial road integrating these tools into health care and into the nursing arena and am humbled by the recognition from my colleagues.” Over her 28-year informatics career, Staggers has earned international clinical informatics expert status in both operational health information technology and academic environments.  Staggers has led major electronic health record projects for the U.S. Department of Defense and public and private sectors, transitioning institutions from paper to electronic health care. Staggers’ initial work on informatics competencies in the U.S. now includes efforts in Finland, Brazil, the Philippines, and South Korea. In addition, Staggers led the American Nurses Association's taskforce in rewriting the national scope and practice documents for nursing informatics in 2001 and 2008, and was co-leader of the usability collaborative for Technology Informatics Guiding Educational Reform. Staggers has also published more than 100 scholarly articles and book chapters. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has appointed Karen S. Kauffman, PhD, CRNP-BC, FAAN, associate professor and chair of the Department of Family and Community Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), to serve on the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council. Kauffman is one of 14 distinguished individuals who have been selected to serve on the Council. “Nearly 86,000 persons in Maryland are living with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. It is the sixth leading cause of death in America, and the only cause of death among the top 10 without a way to stop, slow, or prevent its progression,” Kauffman said. “I am honored to have been appointed to the Council, and value the opportunity to work with others who are truly committed to improving quality care and support for persons with the disease and their families and caregivers.” According to the National Institute on Aging, approximately 5.1 million Americans are believed to be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The Council has been tasked with developing strategies that enhance the quality of care, improving access to information resources and coordination services, supporting prevention and early detection for inclusion in the state plan, developing a public education campaign, and improving data collection capacity. Additionally, the Council, established in the 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly, will continue the work initiated by the Maryland Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission.  “Both individuals and their families face enormous challenges in terms of health and financial well-being when faced with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.  Dr. Kauffman has served as the only nurse on the National Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association for the past eight years, and is serving her second term on the Board of the Association’s Greater Maryland Chapter,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She continues to dedicate herself to serving individuals and families who are living with the disease. The governor made an outstanding choice in her appointment.  We are extremely proud of her and know that the Council and the state will greatly benefit from her experience and commitment.”    # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Research will address state of the science in simulation-based nursing education. Baltimore, Md. – Armed with a new grant from the National League for Nursing (NLN), Mary Fey, MS, RN, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and director of  UMSON’s clinical simulation laboratories, will examine debriefing practices in nurse education programs in the U.S. In implementing her study, Fey will survey every accredited prelicensure nursing program in the U.S., gathering data about each program and its debriefing practices. This research will help provide baseline information about the state of science in simulation-based nursing education nationally.  Fey was the first recipient of the Mary Anne Rizzolo NLN Dissertation/DNP Project Award at the NLN’s annual education summit, held recently in Washington, DC. She was one of five research grant recipients. “It is such a privilege to receive this award, especially in the first year it was given,” Fey said. “This award was created to honor Dr. Rizzolo for her pioneering work in simulation. Receiving this award is truly an honor because Dr. Rizzolo’s work has been so important to the field of simulation-based health care education.” The NLN research grant program supports rigorous, high-quality studies that contribute to the development of the science of nursing education. Qualifying projects must meet at least one of NLN’s current nursing priorities approved by the NLN Board of Governors. Additionally, projects that meet criteria for NLN funding emphasize transforming nursing education for the contemporary health care environment. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Janice Hoffman, PhD '06, RN, ANEF, assistant professor and assistant dean for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been installed as president of the Maryland Nurses Association (MNA). Elected as president-elect in 2012, she has been an officer of the Association since 2008. Hoffman officially took over the reins as MNA’s president at its annual conference earlier this month. As president, Hoffman will be working with the Association’s board of directors and district presidents on nursing policy and legislation and recruiting people to serve on committees. “I am humbled and honored to be serving registered nurses across the state as president of the Maryland Nurses Association. I am grateful for the support I have received from its membership and leadership over the years,” Hoffman said. “I am looking forward to working with the board of directors, district presidents and committees to advocate for nurses across the state on legislative issues relevant to nurses, and increasing membership and participation in the Association.” MNA has advocated for policy supporting the highest quality health care in the State of Maryland since 1903. It promotes excellence in nursing by fostering a culture of camaraderie, mentoring, diversity, and respect for fellow colleagues through programs and educational development for continued career and personal growth. “We are extremely proud that Dr. Hoffman has assumed this important leadership role for Maryland nurses and we are confident she will excel in this position,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.   Hoffman’s presidency concludes in October 2015, at which time she will serve as the Association’s immediate past-president through October 2016. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of every nine babies born in the United States are premature.  Armed with a $1.8 million research grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Mary Regan, PhD, RN, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), and Jacques Ravel, PhD, professor, Institute of Genomic Science, will examine the effect of diet on vaginal microbiota and preterm birth (PTB). Regan and Ravel, in collaboration with researchers from UMSON and NINR, will investigate this health issue by studying 400 pregnant women from Baltimore City neighborhoods that have higher than average PTB rates. PTB is the birth of an infant prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy and a leading cause of long-term neurological disabilities in children. The causes of PTB are not well understood, but are thought to originate from biological and/or social factors such as eating habits, personal health behaviors, prenatal care, and socio economic status. Recent studies have shown that the type of microorganisms, including bacteria, found in the vagina have been associated with PTB. However, research also shows that the composition, frequency, and duration of abnormalities in the types of vaginal microorganisms may be affected by these same biological and demographic factors that are known predictors of PTB. "Preterm birth is highest among African-American and Hispanic women and is strongly associated with low-socio economic status. Baltimore is an excellent environment in which to conduct this study because it provides us unique access to those groups," Regan said. “Participants will be enrolled in week 20 of their pregnancy and followed through to birth. During that time, they will collect vaginal swabs and report information about their diet, vaginal, and prenatal health behaviors each week using a Web-based application specifically designed for the study.” Findings from the study are expected to determine if modifying social and biological behavioral factors has any influence on the composition, frequency, and duration of change in the vaginal microorganisms during pregnancy and if there is any association with PTB. For information on this study, email Regan at regan@son.umaryland.edu. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Robin P. Newhouse, PhD '00, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, has been elected to the AcademyHealth Board of Directors. Newhouse is one of three new members selected from a pool of six nominees. In her newly-elected role, Newhouse and the board are responsible for providing the overall strategic direction for the organization. Additionally, board members are expected to serve on AcademyHealth’s various committees. “As we address some of the most pressing issues in improving the quality of care for the patients we serve, health services research is central to understanding the mechanism by which providers can deliver evidence-based care, discern which interventions improve patient outcomes, and inform where investments should be made to improve health care processes,” Newhouse said. “I will work to advance the interdisciplinary science of health services research, identify and provide resources for members, foster interprofessional teams to address some of our most complex health care problems, advocate for health services research funding, and foster the rapid translation of sound evidence to practice.” AcademyHealth seeks to improve health and health care by generating new knowledge and moving knowledge into action.  It is a leading health services and policy research national organization that supports health professionals in increasing the quality, accessibility and value of health care through the development and use of rigorous, timely, and relevant evidence. Elected board members will serve four-year terms, beginning in December. “We are exceptionally proud that Dr. Newhouse has been recognized by AcademyHealth to serve on its board of directors,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “Her contributions will have a widespread impact on the health of Marylanders and Americans, and AcademyHealth will benefit greatly from her experience and expertise.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one in every 3,600 male infants are born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a devastating, fatal muscle disease. As researchers continue to study strategies to combat the disease, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Chris Ward, PhD, associate professor, has joined the fight. The NIH has presented Ward with a two-year research grant to investigate this debilitating disease. DMD is caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene, resulting in the absence or reduction of the dystrophin protein.  In individuals with this genetic disorder, skeletal muscles become fragile and are easily damaged.  Currently, gene-based treatments targeting the replacement of the dystrophin gene or the enhancement of dystrophin expression have not yet reached therapeutic effectiveness. “There are currently no effective treatments for patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,” Ward said. “We are seeking to identify novel molecular pathways that can be therapeutically targeted to slow the disease’s progression until a genetic cure is realized.” At this time, research efforts are focused on identifying critical events that contribute to muscle damage and injury as a result of DMD.  Ward and his research team have discovered a new signaling pathway that links mechanical stress during muscle contraction to calcium and reactive oxygen signaling dysregulation in DMD heart and skeletal muscle.  With this new-funded study, Ward and his colleagues seek to discover the mechanisms to explain this mechanical dysregulation in DMD muscle.  Identifying these mechanisms will enable Ward’s team to design interventions that can be used in clinical trials in their quest to halt the progression of this devastating disease. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – In nursing homes across the United States, residents are confronted with a variety of health issues, including moderate to severe dementia. Elizabeth Galik, PhD '07, CRNP,  an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a five-year, grant for $1, 025,000, from the National Institute of Aging to examine the challenges of providing care for this population through the Function and Behavior Focused Care for the Cognitively Impaired (FBFC-CI) approach. Twenty-one to 45 percent of nursing home residents in the U.S. exhibit challenging behavioral symptoms such as physical aggression, agitation, and resistance to care.  It is generally during care interactions when staff attempts to bath and/or dress residents that behavioral symptoms are most commonly exhibited. Unfortunately, the care being provided can often decrease residents’ opportunities to engage in physical activity, contributing to the prevalent problem of functional decline and sedentary behavior.  These symptoms negatively affect quality of life, leading to inappropriate use of psychotropic medication, increased staff burden, and high rates of staff injury and turnover. The FBFC-CI approach to care is geared toward changing how staff provides care to residents by teaching them how to evaluate and optimize the residents’ underlying physical capabilities and safely and effectively engage them in personal care and physical activity.  In providing care, function is maintained and optimized, falls are decreased, and behavioral problems are diminished. Galik and her team will implement this trial with 480 residents in 12 nursing homes across the Maryland and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the FBFC-CI across a number of long-term care facilities.  I am confident that this innovative approach will change how care is provided to nursing home residents with cognitive impairment,” Galik said. “The positive impact of a Function Focused Care approach on function and physical activity for older adults in nursing homes has been repeatedly demonstrated. We will now be able to clearly show how allowing older adults to engage in their optimal level of function and physical activity can help decrease the behavioral challenges noted in these settings and improve the residents’ quality of life and the quality of care they receive.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Faculty, staff, students and guests of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) joined University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Jay A. Perman, MD, and Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing, for the grand opening of UMSON's s new lactation center on Sept. 25. The lactation center provides a private space for nursing mothers to pump breast milk. It has three stations with two hospital grade Medela pumps and a refrigerator to store milk. It is the seventh lactation center to be opened on the UMB campus. Research shows that breastfeeding is important because it not only provides babies with the vitamins and nutrients needed, but also helps protect against disease. Carmela Coyle, president and chief executive officer of the Maryland Hospital Association, and Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, BSN ’80, District 10, representing the governor, lieutenant governor and Maryland General Assembly, were also in attendance to help Perman and Kirschling lead the charge in advocating for breastfeeding and the addition of more lactation rooms on the UMB campus. “Breastfeeding provides a protective effect against many early childhood illnesses so that children don’t get sick as often. You also get your permanent employees back to work sooner and they have to take less time off of work,” Perman said. “It’s a win-win situation for all. Let’s keep stressing the importance of breastfeeding.” The grand opening concluded with a tour of the new lactation center, located on the second floor of UMSON. For more information on lactation centers on the UMB campus, visithttp://hr.umaryland.edu/Current_Employees/Work_Life_Wellness/Lactation_Centers

Baltimore, Md. – Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, CRNP-Neonatal, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, is one of 12 nurse educators from across the nation to earn the highly competitive grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Nurse Faculty Scholars program. Ogbolu received a three-year, $350,000 award to promote her academic career and support her research. She is part of the program’s sixth cohort. RWJF’s Nurse Faculty Scholars program, which seeks to develop the next generation of national leaders in academic nursing, offers talented junior faculty three years of career development support. Through the program, RWJF aims to strengthen the academic productivity and overall excellence of nursing schools by providing mentorship, leadership training, and salary and research support to young faculty. Ogbolu, a neonatal nurse practitioner, has a strong interest in researching methods to improve the delivery of equitable, patient-centered, culturally competent care. The goal of Ogbolu’s research is to examine whether the adoption of cultural competency standards influences the patient’s perception of their experience during care. Through the study, Ogbolu will examine organizational and contextual factors that drive and impede the adoption of new standards. In addition, Ogbolu will identify target areas for improvement in hospital policies and practices. "Being selected by RWJF as one of the nation's next generation of nurse leaders is an exceptional opportunity and a responsibility which I embrace and plan to fulfill,” Ogbolu said. “What I am looking forward to most is advancing my leadership and academic goals through direct interactions and collaborations with current nurse leaders and the multidisciplinary network of professionals in RWJF's network and on the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus." With the help of mentors, RWJF scholars will design a professional development plan that will help increase their effectiveness as academic nursing leaders. As a result, scholars are expected to take their expertise in research, leadership, and teaching to a new level of proficiency, resulting in the strengthening of the reputation of the institutions they serve. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Symposium from Courtney Jones on Vimeo.

Baltimore, Md. – Four University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members played instrumental roles in writing the third edition of Developing Online Learning Environments in Nursing Education. The nurse educator’s handbook was written and edited by UMSON’s Carol O’Neil, PhD, RN, CNE, associate professor; Matthew Rietschel, MS, director, Educational Strategies and assistant professor; and the National Institutes of Health’s Cheryl Fisher, MSN, RN, informatics/e-learning manager. Other contributors from UMSON were Susan Bindon, DNP, assistant professor, and Kathleen Buckley, PhD, RN, IBCLC, associate professor. Developing Online Learning Environments in Nursing Education teaches nurses how to develop, instruct, and manage online courses. This best-selling nurse educator’s handbook teaches nurse educators how to properly use online teaching tools and assess results, while keeping pace with the ever-changing landscape of digital learning. “A third edition of the book was necessary to keep up with the velocity in which online learning environments change,” Rietschel said. “It is a major revision from the previous version that updates readers on the understanding and application of learning theory, including cutting-edge technologies, blended learning, and new areas on the role of staff development education.” The previous edition was released in 2008. The third edition has been updated to present several new interactive digital tools and current guidelines in translating courses from the classroom to an online setting. It provides a roadmap to new Web-based learning theories and how to optimally teach students using the latest technology. This edition also provides new information on staff development and the role of the staff development educator, guides instructors on how to build an online community, and includes practical, proven measures for student assessment and evaluation in online education. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing is pleased to announce that Jeanne Geiger-Brown, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and assistant dean of research, has been selected for the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Nurse Fatigue Professional Issues Panel   ̶ Advisory Committee. Studies show that there is a strong link between fatigue and accidents and errors. When one is tired, decision-making skills may decline, reaction times can be delayed, and problem-solving ability may become impaired. Fatigue is not only a safety issue, but is an ethical one as well. The Advisory Committee will counsel the ANA on how to address nurse fatigue in order to improve health and safety. Nurses have a great responsibility in taking care of patients while working long hours and shiftwork. But nurses need to be able to take care of themselves in order to give their patients high-quality care, as fatigue can be both physically and emotionally draining. “I am delighted to assist the ANA in considering the ongoing problem of nurse fatigue and its effect on accidents, injuries, and errors. I expect that this panel will help the ANA update their previous position statements on fatigue,” Geiger-Brown said. “I will contribute my own scientific findings to advise the ANA on nurses’ sleep, sleepiness, and fatigue, as well as interventions that can be used to mitigate fatigue in the workplace.” Geiger-Brown is a nurse scientist whose research focuses on the intersection of occupational epidemiology, cognitive science, and sleep medicine. Her studies include work schedules and sleep deficiency, screening for sleep disorders in the workplace, and occupational interventions to reduce fatigue and improve sleep. Through her research, public awareness has been raised about fatigue among workers with shiftwork and extended work hours.  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Four University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been awarded Nurse Support Program II (NSP II) grants through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Janice Hoffman, PhD, RN,assistant professor and assistant dean for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program; Shannon Idzik, DNP, CRNP, assistant professor and director, Doctor of Nursing Practice program; and co-recipients Louise S. Jenkins, PhD, RN, professor and Carol O’Neil, RN, PhD, CNE, associate professor, co-directors of the Institute for Educators in Nursing and Health Professions, were all awarded grants to assist with funding various programs. NSP II grants are expected to help increase the capacity of nurses in Maryland by implementing statewide initiatives to grow the number of nurses prepared to function effectively in a faculty role. As a result of increasing the number of well-prepared nursing faculty, more students can be admitted to schools of nursing in Maryland, reducing the nationwide nursing shortage. With the NSP II grants, UMSON seeks to revise and expand the current RN-to-BSN program; increase faculty development in workforce planning and interprofessional collaboration; and prepare nurses to function as clinical teachers in pre-licensure nursing programs. “Our goal is to ensure that every student who graduates from the School of Nursing is expertly prepared to provide the highest quality of care to patients.  We have the finest, most educated faculty who are poised to place our students in position to flourish,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN.  “These grants will aid the School and allow us to have the resources necessary to successfully prepare the nursing workforce of the future.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked 11th nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Robin P. Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, has been appointed chair of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s (PCORI) Methodology Committee. Having served as vice chair of the Committee since December 2012, Newhouse takes over the reins from Sherine Gabriel, MD, MSc, dean, Mayo Medical School, who will remain a committee member. Newhouse has been a member of the PCORI since appointed by the U.S. Government Accountability Office in January 2011. “It is an honor to chair the Methodology Committee of PCORI. I’m looking forward to working with my committee colleagues to advance standards for patient-centered outcomes research,” Newhouse said. Newhouse’s research ranges from cluster randomized trials to systematic reviews focusing on quality of care, implementation of evidence-based processes among clinicians, and outcomes research in health care delivery systems. She is the only nurse on the committee. “I am confident that the committee is in good hands with Dr. Newhouse at the helm as she shepherds the team toward the goal of establishing the highest standards for patient-centered outcomes research,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Dr. Newhouse is a diligent, invaluable member of our faculty and I have no doubt that she will bring the same commitment, passion, and energy in leading this committee.” The PCORI, a non-profit corporation authorized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, assists patients, clinicians, purchasers, and policymakers in making informed health decisions. PCORI helps influence these decisions by providing quality, relevant evidence on how to prevent, diagnose, treat, and monitor diseases and other health conditions. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Susan Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for research at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, will be one of 20 scientists participating in the Genomics Science Workshop August 20-21, in Bethesda. The national workshop, sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the Office of Rare Diseases Research, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, will explore a variety of basic, clinical, and behavioral research topics relevant to genomic nursing. Recommendations and findings from the workshop will serve as a roadmap to the NINR and other institutes, offices and agencies in developing strategies for advancing genomics research programs. Dorsey, an active faculty member in several campus-wide programs including Oncology, Neuroscience, and Genetics and Genomic Medicine, serves as the principal investigator of the University of Maryland Center for Pain Studies. Additionally, Dorsey’s basic and translational program of research in the molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms underlying the development and persistence of chronic pain has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Pain Society

Baltimore, Md. – The winners of the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Mobile App Challenge, a contest to create the first mobile health app that encourages the use of information exchange standards, were announced at the opening day of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics (SINI) on Wednesday, July 17. The annual three-day conference, now in its 23rd year, drew more than 300 nurse informaticians and health IT professionals. MobileHealthWare captured first prize in the App Challenge for its WoundMap PUMP (Pressure Ulcer Management Program), an iPhone application that allows the user to evaluate a patient’s wound and track changes over time. Tom Richards, CEO of MobileHealthWare of Sheridan, Wyo., and Karen Zulkowski, DNS, RN, CWS, associate professor at Montana State University-Bozeman, accepted the award and demonstrated the app, which can be viewed at MobileHealthWare.com. The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health IT, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Kaiser Permanente, and the American Nurses Association, sponsored this competition, which is the first ONC-sponsored challenge aimed specifically at nursing. Entries needed to demonstrate the value of common models and terminologies and promote the continued integration of nursing content into SNOMED Clinical Terms (the most comprehensive, multilingual clinical health care terminology in the world). According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 2.5 million people in the United States are affected annually by skin breakdowns that cause pain, increased risk for serious infection, and increased health care utilization. A mobile health app would support nurses in partnership with patients, families, caregivers, and the multidisciplinary health care team, to reduce the incidence and severity of pressure ulcers. The second- and third-place Challenge finishers were the Dermtap Team led by Michelle Longmire, MD, of Palo Alto, Calif.; and Wound Mender by Doug Brown of Morgantown, W.Va., respectively.  For information, on MobileHealthWare, email Richards at trichards0445@me.com; onDermtap, team leader Michelle Longmire, MD, at michelle@dermtap.com; or on Wound Mender,Doug Brown, founder of IOSTREAM, at iostreaming@gmail.com.   # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – Karen S. Kauffman, PhD, CRNP-BC, associate professor and chair of the Department of Family and Community Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), and eight UMSON alumni, are among 172 nurse leaders who will be inducted into the American Academy of Nursing’s (AAN) 2013 Class of Fellows this fall.  Joining Kauffman as members of this year’s class are UMSON alumni Anna C. Alt-White, PhD ’87, RN; Col. Margaret M. McNeill, PhD ’07, MS ’93 RN, CCRN, CCNS, NE-BC, CIP; Renee A. Milligan, PhD ’89, WHNP; Sue A. Moorhead, PhD, RN, BSN ’72; Richard Ricciardi, PhD, MS ’91, NP; Diane Seibert, PhD, ARNP-BC, MS ’94; Elizabeth Sloand, PhD, MS ’86, RN, CRNP-BC; and Sharon A. R. Stanley, PhD, RN, RS, BSN ’77. Fellows will be inducted during the AAN’s 40th annual meeting being held in Washington, D.C. in October.  The AAN consists of more than 2,000 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research, including hospital and government administrators, college deans, and renowned scientific researchers. The 2013 class represents all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and 19 countries. “It’s a tremendous honor to have been selected for a fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing based on my contributions to public policy over the past eight years, as the only nurse on the Alzheimer’s Association National Board of Directors,” Kauffman said. “As a Fellow, I look forward to participating on two expert panels  ̶  “Aging” and “Palliative and End of Life Care” ̶  to assure that nursing is aligned with the National Alzheimer’s Plan to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025, and to facilitate achievement of the Association’s vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.” Criteria for selection as a Fellow include evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health care and sponsorship by two current AAN Fellows. Applicants are reviewed by a panel of elected and appointed Fellows.  “We are extremely proud of Dr. Kauffman’s selection as a 2013 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. It is one of the most prestigious honors in nursing, and truly demonstrates how much she has contributed to the field. Dr. Kauffman is one of many first-rate, top-notch faculty members in the School of Nursing, and her work and impending induction confirms that our students are in good hands,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I am also very pleased to see alumni from the University of Maryland School of Nursing being recognized for their outstanding contributions. We are very proud that we have played a role in both their nursing education and leadership potential.”     For more information about the AAN and its annual meeting, visit http://www.AANnet.org.  # # #  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been selected – for the fifth time – as a grant recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Careers in Nursing (NCIN) Scholarship Program. Ten $10,000 scholarships will be awarded for the 2013-2014 academic year to newly admitted students in UMSON’s Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s degree option. Award preference is given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. NCIN’s Scholarship Program, launched in 2008 by RWJF and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, seeks to expand enrollment in accelerated degree programs in schools of nursing while increasing diversity in the nursing workforce. Grants provided through this competitive program will build upon UMSON’s previous efforts to increase the number of students enrolled in its CNL master’s option and to diversify its student base. “We are pleased that UMSON has again been awarded these scholarship funds, which will help reduce some of the financial burden for our students,” said Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD, PMHCNS, BC, CNL, associate professor and director of the CNL Program. “Because the program is so rigorous, students are discouraged from working. Previous scholarship recipients have been very grateful for the funds that can be used for tuition, books, child care, and other living expenses.”  UMSON is one of 52 schools of nursing to receive funding for the upcoming academic year. This latest award brings the total to 53 UMSON CNL students who have or will have received scholarships through RWJF’s NCIN program. Past scholars have experienced a variety of clinical settings and gained knowledge of evidence-based practice, health care quality, and patient outcomes. For more information about the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program, visitwww.newcareersinnursing.org. To learn more about UMSON’s CNL program, visitwww.nursing.umaryland.edu. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been awarded a three-year, $250,000 grant from the Who Will Care? Fund for Nurse Education. Through this award, UMSON will offer funding to newly-admitted, first-generation students enrolled in the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Who Will Care?, established by a group of stakeholders including the Maryland Hospital Association and health care and academic leaders, is an extensive fundraising campaign and grant program designed to end Maryland's nursing shortage. According to Who Will Care, by 2016, the state will be short more than 10,000 registered nurses, and in 10 years, 40 percent of Maryland’s nurses will be set to retire. However, as a proposed solution to the nursing shortage problem, the Who Will Care? program is expected to help double the number of registered nurse (RN) graduates across the state by awarding grants to associate, baccalaureate, and entry-level master’s nursing programs in Maryland that can achieve a measured increase in the number of first professional degree graduates. UMSON not only seeks to help remedy the statewide nursing shortage, but also aims to assist first-generation college students in pursuing educational opportunities. The award is geared toward the successful retention and graduation rate of first-generation students and the development of PROMISE, a program intent on fulfilling the promise of a better life for first-generation students through education. “As health care needs continue to escalate and current nurses inch closer to retirement, there is a great urgency to prepare tomorrow’s nurses,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “On behalf of all the residents of Maryland, I am truly grateful that Who Will Care? had the vision to develop a plan to address this serious issue and that our School was selected to receive funding to help educate nurses for the workforce of the future. It is especially gratifying to financially be in position to help students achieve a historical accomplishment within their families.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – Sabrina Bielfeldt, a master’s student specializing in leadership and management in nursing at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a Graduate Scholarship in Cancer Nursing for 2013-14 from the American Cancer Society (ACS). Bielfeldt, a student in the Health Services Leadership and Management master’s specialty, has many years of experience in cancer nursing in direct care and as a supervisor and recently completed her first year in the program with a 4.0 grade point average. According to ACS, more than 1 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year. ACS’s scholarship is a $10,000 yearly award offered for a maximum of two years to graduate students who seek to care for cancer patients. The scholarship aids students with tuition and related expenses. Applicants are judged by their professional experience, contributions to the field, membership in relevant professional organizations, involvement with cancer-related volunteer activities, and progress in their graduate program. Several UMSON students have been recipients of the scholarship over the years. “Sabrina is the type of student who loves to learn and improve her skills. She is a joy to have in a graduate nursing classroom,” said UMSON Assistant Professor Nancy Lerner, DNP, RN. “This award allows students to focus on their classwork without worrying about where their tuition will come from or how they are going to pay loans back, taking the concern of finances out of the learning equation. In addition, this award validates her value as a nurse and contributor to the profession.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – Janice Hoffman, PhD, RN, assistant professor and assistant dean for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), is one of 28 honorees who will be inducted as Academy of Nursing Education Fellows at the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) annual Education Summit, to be held in September in Washington, D.C. As a newly named fellow, Hoffman has been lauded for her contributions to the nursing education community in the areas of leadership and innovative teaching and learning strategies. Hoffman’s scholarly activities include presentations and consultations to schools of nursing related to curriculum development, creative teaching stragegies, test construction and analysis, and teaching and evaluation in clinical settings regionally, nationally, and internationally. “I am both thrilled and humbled to have been selected as an Academy of Nursing Education Fellow by the National League for Nursing,” Hoffman said.  “It is an honor to be recognized for my contributions to nursing education, as teaching and working with students are my true passions.” The NLN established the Academy of Nursing Education in 2007 to foster excellence in nursing education by recognizing and capitalizing on the wisdom of nurse educators who have made sustained and significant contributions to nursing education. Fellows provide visionary leadership in nursing education and in the Academy of Nursing Education, and support the vision of the NLN to promote standards of excellence in nursing education that will increase the number of graduates from all types of nursing programs. “This award substantiates what our faculty and students already knew about Dr. Hoffman’s contributions to the School of Nursing  ̶  she is an innovator,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Her teaching style is truly appreciated at the School of Nursing, and we are pleased that her efforts are being recognized on a national level. She has been an ambassador for our School and a resource for new nurse educators and those aspiring to become nurse educators.”  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. –‌Twigg received the award at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Nursing Excellence Awards Ceremony during National Nurses Week. The UMSON Colleague Award is presented to a faculty member who has exemplified excellence as a mentor and educator. “My partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and the School of Nursing has been invaluable.  I am especially grateful for how the medical center has graciously accommodated our students,” Twigg said.  “To be recognized by an amazing group of nurses is truly one of the highest honors.” A long-time clinical instructor for UMSON, Twigg has recently taken on the role of part-time clinical nurse for UMMC. She has been recognized by her peers as an educator that goes above and beyond her role with the school, using her clinical expertise and knowledge to educate, mentor, and lead the staff in advancing their clinical practice. Twigg has dedicated much of her career to researching ways of improving clinical skills in nursing students prior to providing direct care. “Regina has shown a true commitment to helping to grow our faculty’s clinical expertise and preparing our students for the workforce,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are very fortunate to have someone on our team that has been an educator, mentor, and role model. Regina is truly a vital member of the faculty at the School of Nursing.”      # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Six faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) have been awarded the Nurse Educator Doctoral Grant (NEDG) for Practice and Dissertation Research. Susan Antol, MS, RN, assistant professor; Lily Fountain, CNM, MS, RN, assistant professor; Jana Goodwin, MS, RN, ANPC, clinical instructor; Shannon Idzik, DNP, CRNP, CCRN, assistant professor; Naomi “Bea” Himmelwright-Lamm, EdD, RN, assistant professor; and Margaret Lynn, MS, MBA, RN, FNE-A, assistant professor, received awards totaling between $20,000 and $30,000, which will be distributed evenly over two academic years. NEDG is a new statewide funding initiative supported by the Nurse Support Program II and is jointly approved by the Health Services Cost Review Commission and Maryland Higher Education Commission. This competitive grant program is designed to assist PhD and Doctor of Nursing Practice candidates. Its goals are to increase the number of doctoral-prepared nursing faculty in the state, strengthen faculty development for optimal capacity at schools of nursing, and recruit and retain a diverse nursing faculty. There were a total of 16 awards given across the state. “It’s a great opportunity for Maryland nursing doctoral candidates who are interested in serving as nursing faculty to further their education,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I am happy that six members of the School of Nursing family were selected to take advantage of a program that will ultimately bolster our faculty.” Grant recipients can use the funds for professional development, course release time, wages for research-related administrative support, or project-related expenses for supplies, travel, and document creation.  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. - For the first time as dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, led UMSON graduates into the 1st Mariner Arena on Friday, May 17, to celebrate the successful completion of their nursing degrees. The Class of 2013, consisting of 275 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 332 Master of Science, 17 Doctor of Nursing Practice, and 14 PhD graduates, is the largest class of nursing graduates in the state of Maryland.  Kathleen Buckley, PhD, RN, IBCLC, associate professor and chair of the faculty council, welcomed graduates, family members, faculty, and friends.  In her Convocation address, Dean Kirschling encouraged students to embrace the many opportunities afforded by the nursing profession.  “You have chosen a career that will provide you with tremendous opportunities over your lifetime. You will have opportunities to redesign the work that you do—in ways that cannot be predicted or imagined today. I encourage you to embrace these opportunities with the courage, open-mindedness, and knowledge that your education at the University of Maryland School of Nursing has positioned you for—to not simply accomplish, but to excel and to lead. And remember, every challenge you encounter is a chance for success.”  Later in the day, UMSON graduates participated in the University of Maryland, Baltimore Commencement ceremony at 1st Mariner Arena, where graduates heard the inspiring words of keynote speaker Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal (ret.), MS, MA, a senior fellow at Yale University.  “Whatever your professional training is, your positions of leadership are going to require you to empathize with the communities you serve, and with the individuals you lead. You won’t be able to cure every ill, but you should work hard to understand as deeply as possible the circumstances that affect those around you,” he said.   View the 2013 Convocation Photos          # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart failure affects approximately 5.7 million Americans. Ensuring that heart failure patients receive optimal care can be difficult, especially in rural settings. To that end, Professor Robin Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, in collaboration with Laura Morlock, PhD, professor and associate chair for Health Management Programs, Department of Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, led a new study that examined the effectiveness of heart failure treatment in rural hospitals. While it is thought that residents in rural settings are not as likely to get the recommended care as residents in urban or suburban settings because they have fewer options, Newhouse’s study refutes this assumption. The study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Nursing Quality Research Initiative (INQRI), found that rural hospitals were better equipped to ensure high-quality care if the turnover of nurses was lower and they had better practice environments.  “The results of this study really speak to the central role nurses play in almost any quality improvement effort,” Newhouse said. “Appropriate practice environments and keeping turnover low are important factors in hospitals’ ability to implement quality initiatives and adopt best practices.” Researchers concluded that rural hospitals with lower nurse turnover are more likely to implement all four measures that are central to optimal care for heart failure patients. Metrics examined were: providing smoking cessation counseling, providing adequate instructions to patients being discharged from the hospital, assessing how well the heart pumps, and making sure the patient receives medication to help blood vessels relax. However, researchers found that there was no significant difference in implementation of the four core measures as a result of the quality collaborative intervention, but hospitals with lower nurse turnover and better practice environments implemented more of the measures. Twenty-three rural hospitals in the eastern United States were involved in the study, which included an evidence-based toolkit, in-person meetings, and monthly group teleconference calls between the site coordinators and the study team.  # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Three University of Maryland School of Nursing faculty members, including School of Nursing Dean Jane M. Kirschling,  PhD, RN, FAAN, have been named to StateStats.org’s list of Top 18 Medical and Nursing Professors in Maryland.  In addition to Kirschling, Susan Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for research, and Vanessa Fahie, PhD, RN, assistant professor, were named to The Top 18 list. StateStats.org, in conjunction with partner website OnlineSchoolsMaryland.com, honors post-secondary educators who have been recently recognized for excellence in the classroom, on campus, and in the community. The awards committee consists of a former kindergarten through post-secondary educator, an education and writing instructor, and an instructor who holds a doctorate in English. Each year, editorial and executive teams at StateStats.org identify 20-25 professors in Maryland who have excelled in specific disciplines and have recently been published and received awards or recognitions.  In addition to StateStats.org’s Top 18 Medical and Nursing Professors in Maryland, the list honors Maryland’s Top 25 Education Professors, Top 20 Psychology Professors, and Top 25 Women Professors.     “It is very humbling to be considered one of Maryland’s top professors and I am pleased to be sharing this recognition with two other colleagues,” Kirschling said. “This honor continues to validate our world-class faculty who provide our students with a top-notch education.” StateStats.org is a non-profit organization that builds free, open source tools with the goal of increasing accessibility to education and information through the use of new technologies. OnlineSchoolsMaryland.com strives to provide Maryland citizens with information about alternative post-secondary educational options, as well as information and advice regarding career choices in the state. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – As the elderly population continues to grow, faculty researchers at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) are actively exploring effective methods to evaluate the quality of long-term care. Alison M. Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, RN, FAAN, professor, in collaboration with Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN, associate professor; Nancy B. Lerner, DNP, RN, CDONA, assistant professor; Carla Storr, ScD, MPH, professor; and Kihye Han PhD, RN, post-doctoral fellow, was recently awarded a research grant to evaluate national data on long-term care from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Funding for the two-year, $296,594 research grant begins Sept. 1. The study will look at the relationships among regulations, leadership, and quality of care across diverse long-term care facilities. In addition to nursing homes, other types of residential facilities have been developed to meet the demands for alternative levels of care. These facilities require appropriately-trained personnel and strong leadership to provide quality care to people with complex physical and mental health needs. However, regulations for operating these facilities vary by state. Additionally, researchers will examine the influence that variations in care regulations have on resident outcomes. The study will also explore the role of credentials for the administrative leadership team in these facilities. Upon completion of the study, recommendations will be made on improving the regulation of direct care providers, which could have a beneficial impact on care.  “We know that there are many elders in the long-term care system with significant health care needs, and the quality of the care they receive needs attention,” Trinkoff said. “Gaining a greater understanding of the role of nursing in long-term care is crucial for making regulatory recommendations and maintaining quality care. Our goal is to examine outcomes data and make regulatory recommendations that could lead to better care.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members joined UMSON Dean Emeritus Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, at the Campaign for Action Summit 2013 earlier this month in Washington, D.C.   Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, assistant dean for the UMSON program at the Universities at Shady Grove, and Shannon Idzik, DNP, CRNP, CCRN, assistant professor and director of UMSON’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, were among more than 250 action coalition members representing 50 states and the District of Columbia. Barbara Nubile, MSN, RN, associate dean, director of nursing, Montgomery College; Sherry Perkins, PhD, RN, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer, Anne Arundel Medical Center; and Pat Travis, RN, PhD, CCRP, associate director, Clinical Trials, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Office of Research Administration, also members of the Maryland Action Coalition, were also in attendance. "The Summit provided critical information and tools that will enable the Maryland Action Coalition to move to the next stage in our development as we work to improve health care in Maryland," Allan said. Attendees, who included diverse leaders from the fields of nursing, medicine, business, health systems, philanthropy, and academia, gathered to discuss ways of improving health care in their respective states. They sought to accomplish this goal through educating, engaging, and energizing one another with the hope that each action coalition team would leave the summit equipped to implement the eight recommendations outlined in the  Future of Nursing Report in new and impactful ways. Members had access to keynote speaker Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA, president and chief executive officer of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), and they attended a reception with legislators on Capitol Hill and participated in several exercises that aided in developing a strategy to improve health care. The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, a project of the RWJF and AARP, was formed to implement the recommendations of the 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change: Advancing Health. Its mission is to ensure that the necessary conditions exist that would guarantee the improved health outcomes of all Americans and provide access to high-quality, patient-centered health care. In the future, coalition members will seek to develop a two-year strategic plan, a five-year budget, and communications plan; expand and diversify its membership; and establish a state-wide advisory council.

Baltimore, Md. – As the nation faces pressing health care challenges, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), in collaboration with Montgomery College and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, Md., continues to champion the preparation of well-educated nurses for the workforce. With the help of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), UMSON will be able to provide greater resources for its students through a new $3 million RWJF initiative that will help states assist educational institutions in providing top-notch programs for nursing students. UMSON will receive funding from RWJF through the Future of Nursing State Implementation Program, a program that will assist the Maryland Action Coalition in addressing the challenges associated with academic progression throughout Maryland. Grant recipients will work to implement programs that prepare nurses to lead system change, strengthen nursing education, and expand access to care by maximizing the use of nurses, recruiting and training a more diverse nursing workforce, and improving quality and coordination of health care. “This is a historic opportunity to build on Maryland’s Registered Nurse-to Bachelor of Science in Nursing articulation model and move to models that offer seamless and timely academic progression,” said Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, assistant dean for the UMSON program at USG. “We are excited about the enthusiasm that our academic and health care provider partners have brought to the discussions as we work to build on nursing education opportunities.” The Future of Nursing State Implementation Program will bolster efforts already underway in 50 states and the District of Columbia by transforming health care through nursing and meeting the challenges stemming from an aging and more diverse population. A joint initiative of AARP and RWJF, the Campaign for Action is working to implement the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) evidence-based recommendations on the future of nursing. It provides a voice and a vehicle for nurses at all levels to lead system change to improve health outcomes for patients and families by collaborating with business, consumer, and other health professional organizations. The initiative will provide two-year grants of up to $150,000 to 20 state-based action coalitions that have made substantial progress toward implementing the IOM recommendations, however, it calls for states to obtain matching funds. “I am very excited about having the opportunity to promote academic progression for Montgomery College nursing graduates, and hopefully, all associate degree graduates in Maryland,” said Barbara Nubile, MSN, RN, associate dean/director of nursing at Montgomery College. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

 Baltimore, Md. – University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Assistant Professor Marian Grant, DNP, RN, CRNP, ACHPN, have received honors from the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA). HPNA, a national non-profit professional nursing organization dedicated to promoting excellence in palliative nursing care, announced that Kirschling is the recipient of its 2013 Leading the Way Award, and Grant is a 2013 Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing. “I am honored that the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association is pleased with not only my contributions to palliative care nursing, but with Dr. Grant’s work as well,” Kirschling said. “These honors truly highlight our School’s commitment to excellence and leadership in nursing.”    The Leading the Way Award is regarded as one of HPNA’s highest honors. It recognizes those who have been consistent leaders in palliative care nursing while demonstrating a deep and abiding commitment to furthering the philosophy, mission, and quality of palliative care. Early in her career, Kirschling, a past president of HPNA, became involved in hospice care as a staff nurse. She eventually published numerous academic research papers on the experience of terminal illness among patients and caregivers and the grief process, among other topics. HPNA Fellows are association members who are nursing leaders in education, management, advanced practice, and research. Eligible applicants include association executives, chancellors and deans, chief executives and vice presidents for nursing, nurse consultants, and researchers and entrepreneurs. Fellows have demonstrated lengthy dedication to the association, extensive professional experience in hospice and palliative care, and a significant commitment to scholarship in the field of hospice and palliative care. Palliative care nursing is a field that Grant is happy to be a part of. She has served as an HPNA board member and as its content expert for communication. In addition, Grant is a national and international End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium faculty member, having researched online palliative care. “It is a privilege to help patients and their families during what is a very difficult transition,” Grant said.  “I am happy to help and am honored that the care I provide is recognized by my colleagues.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – Four University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been named to The Maryland Daily Record’s 2013 list of Top 100 Women. Karen Kauffman, PhD, CRNP-BC, associate professor and chair, Department of Family and Community Health; Ann Mech, JD, RN, assistant professor and coordinator of legal affairs; Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology; and Associate Professor Lisa Rowen, DNSc, RN, senior vice president for patient services and chief nursing officer at the University of Maryland Medical Center, made the list. In addition, Kauffman and Rowen were named to the 2013 Top 100 Women’s Circle of Excellence, honoring those who have been named to the list three times. “It is a very unique accomplishment for an organization to have four honorees named to this list of distinguished women at one time,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are very proud to count them among the members of our esteemed faculty.” Since 1996, The Daily Record has recognized more than 1,000 high-achieving women who are making an impact in Maryland. The Daily Record’s annual list of Maryland’s Top 100 Women was created to recognize outstanding achievement by women who have demonstrated significant professional accomplishments, outstanding community leadership, and inspirational mentoring. A panel of judges composed of business professionals and past Top 100 Women winners from throughout Maryland reviewed all of the applications, narrowing the list to select this year’s Top 100 Women. The process is comprehensive and includes multiple panels judging hundreds of applicants. This year, 63 women were first-time recipients. The winners will be honored at a ceremony at the Meyerhof Symphony Hall in Baltimore on May 6.    # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) Doctor of Nursing Practice student, Kristen Altdoerffer, MSN, is one of 10 nursing students who have been appointed to a two-year term on the newly formed Leadership Council of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) by the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN). The Leadership Council will help set priorities for the new student group and provide advice regarding future services and programming. GNSA was launched in fall 2012 to provide quality programs, services, and resources to nursing students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. It will help serve the professional development needs of graduate nursing students as they prepare for careers in the field. “I am honored to be appointed to the Leadership Council and to be working with a national group of prestigious graduate students,” said Altdoerffer, who is also a clinical instructor at UMSON. “I look forward to increasing student awareness of the council and helping to formulate a strong foundation for the Graduate Nursing Student Academy.” Open to all graduate students enrolled in AACN-accredited schools, the Leadership Council is comprised of seven doctoral students – four PhD and three Doctor of Nursing Practice – and three master’s students. Appointees formally began their terms on March 1. “Congratulations to Kristen and this outstanding group of emerging leaders for the courage and commitment they have shown on behalf of their fellow nursing students nationwide,” said UMSON Dean and AACN President Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “I’m looking forward to seeing the work that Kristen does with the Leadership Council in helping to develop programs and resources that serve the expressed needs of the more than 110,000 nursing students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs in the U.S.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

School of Nursing students and faculty got a glimpse into what it’s like to be a lawmaker in the state of Maryland when they traveled to Annapolis on Feb. 20 for the School’s annual Advocacy Day. The group also promoted interprofessional collaboration among health care providers and discussed the prominent role that nurses play. Approximately 20 students, accompanied by University President Jay A. Perman, MD; School of Nursing Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN; and several members of the faculty and staff, had the chance to meet members of the General Assembly, including School of Nursing alumnae Adelaide Eckardt, MS ’81, BSN ’78, and Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, MAS, BSN ’80. Students were also able to shadow a legislator. “You are a very diverse group of students and I think legislators appreciate professional diversity,” Perman said. “We want to let our legislators know the importance of health care delivery by a team. Let’s help them understand.” Delegate Keith Haynes, JD, MPA, of Baltimore’s 44th district, said he understands the importance of collaborative efforts in health care and the role that nursing plays in the health care equation. “As we look at the transformation of health care and the new initiatives coming from the federal level, it’s important that all health care providers are involved with patients. There has to be greater interaction between nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and physicians,” Haynes said. “In order to get a full diagnosis and proper care, all health care professionals need to be involved.” Students accompanied legislators for about an hour while they met with constituents and listened to a variety of concerns. “While it’s important that nurses have a voice in how health care is shaped, this experience made me want to hear more of what everyone has to say,” says Johnny Gayden, a nurse anesthesia master’s student. “In health care reform, everyone has to work together with the patient being the focus.” Later, Kirschling was formally introduced to the House of Delegates and briefly spoke on the importance of a well-prepared nursing workforce. “It’s truly an honor to serve the citizens of Maryland as the dean of the School of Nursing,” Kirschling said. “I hope that we can continue the long tradition of preparing well-educated nurses for all of the areas that you represent so they can receive high-quality health care.” Students ended the day with a brief question-and-answer session with guest speakers. Click here to view the slideshow and then watch the video below

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has achieved its highest research ranking ever from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), advancing to 11th place among nursing schools receiving research funding from the NIH. UMSON has continually improved in this prestigious ranking over the past five years, rising from 58th.  Rankings are based on the amount of research dollars awarded by the NIH to each school. These competitive grants are reviewed by NIH experts for their scientific merit and program relevance. In 2012, UMSON faculty members attracted more than $4 million in NIH grants for research in areas such as chronic pain, impulsivity and drug abuse, neuromuscular disorders, sleep, web-based interventions and bone health. “One of the goals of our strategic plan is to optimize health through discovery and translational science,” says UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. "This ranking not only demonstrates how we infuse our strategic plan goals and objectives into all that we do, but it is also a testament to our mission of developing leaders in nursing education, research, and practice.” Research at UMSON produces distinctive, peer-reviewed inquiry that shapes the profession of nursing and the health care environment. By advancing research, UMSON builds sustainable programs, including collaborative, participatory networks with other disciplines, organizations, and communities. Research is infused in UMSON’s educational and practice initiatives.  “This achievement is a tribute to our School’s leadership and to our esteemed nurse scientists,” says Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for research. “Grants from the NIH are among the most competitive, so this is quite an accomplishment for our faculty and our School.” #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Patricia G. Morton, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FAAN, professor and associate dean for academic affairs, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been named editor of the Journal of Professional Nursing. The Journal of Professional Nursing is a publication for nurse educators published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Under Morton’s editorial leadership, the journal will continue its scholarly emphasis on education, research, and policy. Morton wants to include articles that are timely and deal with contemporary issues in nursing, such as the national effort to implement recommendations from the 2010 Institute of Medicine report on the future of nursing. Additionally, Morton is seeking to gradually move the journal, which is currently in print form only, into the digital age.  “I am honored to take over a journal that has a long legacy of excellence. With the guidance of the editorial board, we will strategically plan for transitions in the journal that will help readers access it online and perhaps offer additional features electronically,” Morton said. Although Morton has been a nurse and nurse educator for more than 30 years, she also has a background in writing. She developed an interest in writing early in her career, and with the help of a mentor, she was first published in 1982. Over the years, Morton has published three textbooks and dozens of articles, and has sat on editorial boards of several nursing journals. Morton’s new role is in addition to her duties with UMSON and her position as a nurse practitioner at the University of Maryland Medical Center. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, former dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been honored with the title of Dean Emeritus and will remain at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) working on several key initiatives to help strengthen the University. UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD, praised Allan in conferring the status of dean emeritus. “Janet Allan’s collaborative skills and versatile leadership abilities will continue to distinguish her contribution to the University,” he said. As dean emeritus, Allan continues to help to shape interprofessional education, conferring with her successor, Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, who upon becoming UMSON dean, accepted a newly-created position as UMB’s director of interprofessional education. In her new role, Allan is working with senior leadership of the UMB Office of Academic Affairs to implement policies of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. Allan is helping to establish criteria for the periodic evaluation of deans and senior vice presidents as well as criteria to encourage entrepreneurial achievement at various levels. She will continue to lead the implementation of The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, a groundbreaking report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), which calls for nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training.  As a founding member of the Maryland Action Coalition Executive Committee, one of 36 state-based coalitions formed in response to the IOM/RWJF report, Allan leads key stakeholders who devise ways to implement its recommendations. Allan, who retired as UMSON dean on Dec. 31, 2012, made a major impact during her decade-long tenure. The School’s U.S.News & World Report ranking reached an all-time high, and UMSON achieved a top-20 ranking among schools of nursing receiving federal research funding. Enrollment rose, making UMSON one of the nation’s largest schools of nursing. # # # The University of Maryland, Baltimore is home to the Graduate School and schools of dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work and it is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland

Baltimore, Md. – Critical care deaths represent the majority of hospital deaths and most occur after decisions are made to withhold and/or withdraw life-sustaining therapy. Family members are often intricately involved in the end-of-life decision making process and are present during their loved one’s final journey leading up to death, which can be devastating. Debra Wiegand, PhD, RN, CCRN, CHPN, FAHA, FAAN, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been awarded a two-year, $422,125 R21 grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research/National Institutes of Health to investigate how best to prepare families for the dying process. Past studies have shown that families of patients who die in the critical care setting are at increased risk for psychological and physical problems. Some families have reported that they were prepared and supported through the end-of-life decision making process, but not after life-sustaining therapy had been withdrawn from their family member. Wiegand’s study will explore the best clinical approaches for preparing and supporting families through the dying process of critically-ill patients. Goals of the study are to develop and refine educational and psychological support interventions to prepare families for this difficult time and to determine if the proposed new approaches are acceptable to families. “Our study will assist nurses, physicians, and other clinicians in understanding how to help grieving family members through the end-of-life process. The information and support that family members receive from clinicians can be a source of comfort during the bereavement process,” Wiegand said. “We hope that the findings of our research will be a monumental step forward in helping and supporting these families through an extremely difficult transition.” Approximately 60 family members will participate in this research. Investigators will focus on the outcomes of the study and the processes to achieve them while considering barriers, facilitators, intervention fidelity, and the feasibility of a larger project.           # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that Robin P. Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, professor and chair, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, has been appointed vice chair of the Methodology Committee for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). “Dr. Newhouse’s appointment as vice chair of the Methodology Committee is a testament to the leadership abilities that she provides to both the committee and School of Nursing,” said Janet Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of UMSON. “Serving as vice chair of a committee that helps PCORI make informed health decisions is a great responsibility. This is a well-deserved honor.” Newhouse, the only nurse on the committee, has been a member of the PCORI since it was formed by the U.S. Government Accountability Office in January 2011. Her research ranges from cluster randomized trials to systematic reviews focusing on quality of care, implementation of evidence-based processes among clinicians and outcomes research in health care delivery systems. “PCORI has an unprecedented opportunity to transform the way we approach research and make evidence more reliable and responsive to patient’s needs,” Newhouse said. “I am honored to be involved with an organization that presents such potential, and I am eager to continue working toward our goal of establishing the highest standards for patient-centered research.”  The PCORI, a non-profit corporation authorized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, assists patients, clinicians, purchasers, and policymakers in making informed health decisions. PCORI helps influence these decisions by providing quality, relevant evidence on how best to prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor diseases and other health conditions. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) Alumni Council has announced its new members for the 2012-2014 term. Terms for the newly elected members run through June 30, 2014. Elizabeth Ness, MS, ‘93, headlines the group with her election as president of the council. Ness brings over 30 years of nursing experience, including six in management and 18 in oncology clinical trials research. She currently serves as a nurse consultant for education for the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. Other new members include Justin Dusza, MS, ’08; Joseph Kelly, MS ’85, BSN ’77; Joyce Parks, MS ’93, RN-BC, PMHCNS-BC; Greg Raymond, MS ’10, MBA, BSN ’05, RN; and Marion Burns Tuck,  MS ’80, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC.  Dusza is a registered nurse at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, and has served in several capacities in emergency departments. Kelly, who is employed by Lockheed Martin as a clinical quality researcher, has 23 years of nursing experience in the U.S. Public Health Service and U.S. Army, specializing in oncology, medical, surgical, emergency, and orthopedic nursing. Parks, currently enrolled in UMSON’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, is certified as an adult psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) and practices in Johns Hopkins Hospital’s department of psychiatric nursing. Raymond, director of nursing and patient care services for clinical practice and professional development, neurosciences, and behavioral health services at the University of Maryland Medical Center, also holds a faculty associate appointment at UMSON. Burns, a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, is board certified in advanced nursing administration by the ANCC and has held various positions from staff nurse to roles in hospital administration. Organized by the Class of 1895, UMSON’s Alumni Council is one of the oldest, continuously active nursing alumni associations in the nation. Anyone who has a diploma from UMSON is automatically a member of the alumni association. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Five Maryland hospitals and one nurse were honored for their environmental health achievements with awards at the Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment’s (MD H2E) fifth annual Environmental Excellence in Health Care Conference, held today at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association, presented five Trailblazer Awards. Trailblazer Awards are given annually to hospitals that have shown leadership in advancing sustainability in their operations. The 2012 winners are: Deer’s Head Hospital Center – The first state hospital to win a Trailblazer Award, Deer’s Head demonstrated a reduction in its fuel usage, by developing an environmentally friendly method to manage utilities. Through an extensive energy management program, Deer’s Head will save more than 50 percent on utilities in the upcoming year. Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) – This past year, GBMC has been dedicated to providing options for an improved diet for patients, employees, and visitors. During the first month after launching a campaign to promote healthier beverages, hospital sales of non-sugary drinks exceeded sugary ones for the first time on record. GBMC reduced food waste by 1,100 pounds per month from March to August of 2012, and installed hydration stations which encourage refilling reusable bottles with filtered water. MedStar Union Memorial Hospital (MUMH) – MUMH instituted a furniture and supply recycling database, New2U, which employees can access through the hospital’s intranet. When an employee attempts to purchase new items, they are first asked if they’ve checked the inventory. To date, 160 items have been donated, 354 reused in-house, and 166 sold to employees for personal use.   Sinai Hospital of Baltimore – Sinai Hospital started an employee garden this year that has been extremely popular. Currently 36 gardeners are registered to work on the 18 plots, with one plot allocated to a family of six in the community. Employees have grown radishes, broccoli, spinach, herbs, and much more. The committee plans to incorporate more community and food-service benefits as the project continues to “blossom.”  University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) – Nurses on UMMC’s Mother/Baby Unit launched the New Moms’ Pilot to Reduce Newborn Exposures to Pesticides program, the first of its kind. Nurses educate new moms on the health risks associated with pesticides and give them a tool kit, which includes an educational DVD, a booklet, and non-toxic pest control, cleaning, and baby care product samples, all provided in a reusable tote. Charlotte Wallace, RN, a pediatric nurse and sustainability coordinator for Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), was awarded the Nursing Leadership in Environmental Health Award. Wallace is one of only two nurses in the state to hold a sustainability position in a medical system. She has implemented many environmental initiatives at AAMC, including money-saving recycling programs, a farmers’ market, and the addition of environmental health information in newborn classes. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment. Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (MD H2E) is a technical assistance and networking initiative of the University of Maryland School of Nursing that promotes environmental sustainability in health care including pollution prevention, waste reduction, environmentally preferable purchasing, green building, and sustainable food practices. Participants include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, research laboratories, and other ancillary health care providers in Maryland. http://www.mdh2e.org

Baltimore, Md. – Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members were inducted as Fellows in the American Academy of Nursing at the Academy’s 39th Annual Meeting and Conference held October 13, in Washington, D.C. Jeanne Geiger-Brown, PhD, RN, FAAN, assistant dean of research and associate professor, and Jane Kapustin, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, professor and assistant dean for the master’s and DNP programs, were among 176 nurse leaders inducted into the 2012 Class of Fellows. Geiger-Brown, who has been a member of the UMSON faculty since 2001, is a nurse scientist whose research focuses on occupational epidemiology, cognitive science, and sleep medicine. Her studies include work schedules and sleep deficiency, occupational sleep disorders, and screening for sleep disorders in occupational settings. In addition, Geiger-Brown conducts intervention research to assist individuals and organizations in improving the quantity and quality of sleep achieved by workers. Through her research, public awareness has been raised about fatigue among workers with shift work and extended work hours.   Kapustin, a member of the UMSON faculty since 2000, is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an adult nurse practitioner and in advance diabetes management. She mentors doctoral and master’s students at the University of Maryland Center for Diabetes in Baltimore, where she maintains a faculty practice. At the diabetes center, Kapustin manages complex patients with diabetes. She serves on numerous doctoral dissertation and/or capstone committees for students interested in diabetes, genetics, and health care policy. Kapustin has published more than 40 articles and 12 book chapters, mostly on diabetes, and routinely lectures at national conferences such as the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, where she serves on the board. “Dr. Geiger-Brown and Dr. Kapustin’s selection into this year’s class of Fellows is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of UMSON. “Their induction is a testament to the first-rate faculty that we have at the School of Nursing and their valuable contributions to the nursing profession.” With their inductions, Geiger-Brown and Kapustin joined 16 other faculty members from UMSON who have been previously selected. The AAN consists of more than 1,800 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research. Selection criteria is based on evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health care and sponsorship by two current AAN Fellows.                        # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland’s Schools of Dentistry and Nursing are teaming up to host The Oral Systemic Link: Creating Collaborative Initiatives conference on December 10.   This conference will focus on the partnership of dental hygiene and nursing, while addressing the larger issues of professional cross-fertilization and institutional challenges.  Its goal is to provide participants with information related to interprofessional education, research, and practice while stimulating ideas to advance it.  Attendees will receive an in-depth look at opportunities for the two professions to work in tandem to provide optimal patient care while overcoming all issues related to access to care and fragmented care delivery.  Additionally, participants will explore ways to raise awareness about interprofessional education, suggest learning experiences to help students understand the value of diverse professional collaborative efforts, and recommend future workshop ideas for their respective institutions.  “Facilitating interactions among health care professionals and students is critical to improving the health of our nation. We must teach and model excellence in order to transform our health care system, said Shannon Idzik, DNP, CRNP, assistant professor and director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. “Oral disease, often called a silent epidemic, plagues the most vulnerable populations of our nation. Nursing and dental hygiene have come together to share a common goal of optimizing interprofessional education and patient care.” The conference will be held at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information about the conference, visit http://nursing.umaryland.edu/oral-systemic. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Nationally recognized academic leader Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been appointed by President Jay A. Perman, MD, as dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing effective Jan. 14, 2013. Kirschling replaces Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, who will retire on Dec. 31, 2012, after 10 years as dean of the School of Nursing. In making the announcement, Perman said, “In her new role, Dr. Kirschling will take the School of Nursing to the next level. I expect her to further strengthen our nursing programs at the Universities at Shady Grove, and to further develop the School’s research enterprise, particularly as it relates to the national focus on health reform. Dr. Kirschling also will lead the School’s transition of its advanced practice program from the current master’s in science to the doctorate in nursing practice.” “I am very pleased to be joining the University of Maryland, Baltimore,” said Kirschling. “The School of Nursing's national and international reputations speak volumes to the excellence of the nursing faculty and the leadership of Dean Janet Allan over the past decade. I also welcome the opportunity to work with the larger University on advancing President Perman's vision for interprofessional education. This work is critical as we prepare the next generation of health care providers to provide team-based care that is safe, high-quality, and truly patient-centered.”   Kirschling has served as dean and professor at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing since 2006. Previously she held administrative and faculty positions at the University of Southern Maine (dean and professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions), University of Rochester (associate dean for academic affairs and professor, School of Nursing), and Oregon Health & Science University (associate dean for graduate studies and professor). “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Allan for her dedication and commitment as she led the University of Maryland School of Nursing – one of the nation’s oldest and largest nursing schools – to its current ranking of 11th by U.S.News & World Report and 19th in NIH funding,” said Perman. Kirschling received her BSN from Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wis., and her MSN and PhD from Indiana University School of Nursing. She is an alumna of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Executive Fellows Program (2000-2003) and was inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2009. At the University of Kentucky, Kirschling oversees a robust clinical research enterprise.  She initiated a program that sustained support for senior investigators while investing in the development of junior scientists with time for research and significant startup support for pilot work. She also led the redesign of the college’s research infrastructure support to enhance investigators’ ability to focus on their science in writing grants. Kirschling’s clinical expertise is in mental health nursing with a focus on end-of-life care. For more than a decade, Kirschling’s scholarship has focused on workforce development with a special emphasis on rural states. Earlier in her career her scholarship focused on family caregivers for persons with a terminal illness and grief following the loss of a family member.  She founded the Kentucky Nursing Capacity Consortium and co-convenes Kentucky’s Action Coalition, which is working to implement the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 recommendations on the “Future of Nursing.” Kirschling serves on the University of Kentucky’s Center for Interprofessional HealthCare Education, Research and Practice Board of Directors. At the national level, Kirschling has been active in the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, serving as president of the Board of Directors in 2002 and 2003. She also has been an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International – The Honor Society of Nursing. She co-chaired the International Advisory Council of Chief Nursing Officers and Deans (2007-2009).   In addition, Kirschling has served on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Board of Directors since 2004 and began a two-year term as president in 2012. From 2006 to 2010 she served as the AACN’s representative to the American Nurses Association Congress on Nursing Practice. She represented the AACN on the expert panel that developed Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, sponsored by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative, released in May 2011. Perman also announced Kirschling will serve as University director of interprofessional education (IPE) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Working with the president’s IPE Task Force, she will lead the implementation of IPE recommendations that are emerging from the University's strategic planning implementation group. -0- The University of Maryland is home to the schools of law, medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and social work and the Graduate School. It is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland.

Jeffrey Johnson, PhD, director of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON’s) Office of Global Health, represented UMSON at the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting on Sept. 25, where President Bill Clinton recognized UMSON for their work in Rwanda. Watch footage from the 2012 annual meeting (link no longer available). Start the video at minute 21:47 to see Dr. Johnson honored. UMSON is also recognized at minute 15:50. Click here to read more about UMSON's efforts to improve health care in Rwanda.   Dr. Jeffrey Johnson is standing in the row closest to the stage, second from the left.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) — in collaboration with the University of Maryland Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy and the University of Maryland Medical Center — has been awarded a four-year, $2 million research grant to explore methods for helping to manage acute pain in critically-ill, hospitalized, palliative care patients who cannot communicate the presence of pain or its intensity to health care providers. Across the settings in which palliative care is delivered, there is a shortage of evidence-based approaches for assessing and managing pain in these patients. This project, sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research and National Institutes of Health, is funded through May 2016, and will help attack this issue by testing innovative strategies of pain management. Nurses and other health care providers will use a PAIN Algorithm to guide the assessment of pain, selection of pain medications, and management of medication side effects. The researchers will evaluate whether patients who are managed with the PAIN Algorithm have less severe pain and increased use of pharmacologic pain management strategies than those who are not managed with the PAIN Algorithm. “These patients are at high risk for ineffective treatment, leaving them vulnerable to unnecessary suffering and other adverse effects,” said Deborah McGuire, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor and principal investigator of the grant. “Our goal is to demonstrate that a systematic approach to assessing and managing pain in these vulnerable patients will improve their care and contribute to better clinical outcomes.” # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has launched two organized centers of research (OCR) – the Center for Biology and Behavior Across the Lifespan (CBBAL) and the Center for Health Outcomes Research (CHOR). Building on its broad research agenda that has been established over the past decade, UMSON is capitalizing on extramurally funded science. With an interdisciplinary approach, these centers are in keeping with goals set forth in both the UMSON’s and the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s current strategic plans. The School of Nursing’s ORCs, officially designated by Jay A. Perman, MD, president, University of Maryland, Baltimore, marks the first time that the UMSON has had campus designated OCRs. There is increasing evidence that genetic variability can directly and indirectly influence outcomes through behavior. The mission of the CBBAL is to conduct interdisciplinary research related to the effect of biology and behavior on health across the lifespan. The CHOR focuses on improving health outcomes of people and systems of care. Center investigators will build a rigorous program of interdisciplinary research to help systems improve processes and help people improve health and engage in informed decision-making. “Organizing UMSON’s research efforts under two guiding areas of focus will help ensure increased extramural research funding now and in the future,” said Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for research. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is teaming up with nursing, medical, and public health colleges and universities to assist the government of Rwanda in strengthening its health care system. UMSON is one of 13 top U.S. institutions of higher learning chosen for this unprecedented effort. Following a competitive recruiting campaign, UMSON is sending seven faculty members, three of which are UMSON alumnae, to Rwanda to assist with the health care efforts. The roster of UMSON faculty is headlined by Kathy Schaivone, MPA, director, Clinical Education and Evaluation Laboratory. In addition to UMSON, Duke University, Howard University, New York University, and the University of Illinois, Chicago, are all sending nursing faculty to Rwanda. The University of Maryland School of Medicine will also be participating in this program. Rwanda struggles with similar issues as other resource limited nations in Africa. It not only faces the typical challenges of AIDS, malaria, malnutrition, and high infant mortality rate, but also more chronic diseases resulting from an aging population and lack of physical activity and proper diet. The development of a better educated nursing workforce will help address these challenges. Rwanda is committed to significantly increasing the number of nurses and midwives with advanced certificates and bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Through the Human Resources for Health (HRH) Program, a pioneering initiative led by Rwanda’s Ministry of Health and facilitated by the support of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, a seven-year plan is in place to take on this monumental work. During this period, the HRH Program looks to address Rwanda’s critical shortage of medical, nursing, and dental workers; poor quality of health professions education; poor infrastructure; and the inadequate management of health facilities. The Rwandan government is receiving funding for this project from the U.S. Government comprised of funds from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief  (PEPFAR) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. This program, created by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and U.S. President Bill Clinton, is unique in comparison to past health development projects. Rwanda’s government will manage the HRH Program, contracting with the U.S. schools directly. Participating schools will not charge any general overheads to this program. Additionally, U.S. faculty will live and work in Rwanda for at least 11 months; though their salaries and benefits will be lower than in the U.S. because this project is meant to primarily serve Rwanda, a resource limited country, rather than U.S. institutions. However, taking part in this project will provide U.S. faculty with a unique educational opportunity. “Having spent almost two years in Rwanda, I am so pleased to see the University of Maryland’s engagement in this important work. The effort to renovate nursing education and practice is fundamentally important, insightful, and an honorable investment,” said Marik Moen, MS, RN, an assistant professor at UMSON and U.S. Rwandan project coordinator. “Everyone involved will set the stage for transforming how nursing, midwifery, medicine, dentistry, and public health are taught, learned, and practiced. In addition, we are developing a new paradigm for global partnerships to address human resources for health.” #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – In a world that is placing more importance on how its behavior affects the environment, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is making its own contribution to green practices. Clinical Instructor Anjana Solaiman, MS, RNC, IBCLC; Assistant Professor Robyn Gilden, PhD, RN; former Environmental Health Education Center Program Manager Katie Huffling, MS, RN, CNM; and retired Professor Barbra Sattler, DrPH, RN, FAAN, collaborated to create the Green RN Application available for download through The Apple App Store. Green RN, which was recently released, is the brainchild of Solaiman, who teaches in UMSON’s program at the Universities at Shady Grove. Solaiman answered a call to action from the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE) which supports innovative efforts to expand and deepen the involvement of nurses in environmental health issues related to education, practice, research, and promotion of advocacy activities. The application provides inspirational tips for nursing professionals and students two to three times per week. It educates nurses on environmental health factors that can have a positive effect on themselves and their patients. “I wanted to create something that would inspire, enable, and educate RN professionals and students about environmental health factors. Additionally, I felt it was important to give the user actionable insights to positively affect their patients and themselves. Green RN can reach people globally to disseminate environmental health knowledge,” Solaiman said. “There has been an explosion of mobile device applications that have the ability to facilitate change. I want to capitalize on that wave.” This free application provides nurses with quick snippets of useful environment information right at their finger tips. Nurses can stay abreast of topics such as ways to green a nursing practice, how environmental chemicals can impact human health, and more. There are also links embedded within the tips that provide further information on a specific subject matter. Tips and resources can be accessed at any time once they have been published. In addition, Green RN features an integrated search function and index of previous tips that can be saved to a favorites folder for easy access to the most relevant tips. Currently available for iPhone devices, Green RN allows users to share its tips via email, Facebook, and Twitter. In the future, Green RN is expected to be compatible with other handheld mobile devices such as the Blackberry, Droid, iPad, and more. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – With a shortage of bedside nurses in the state of Maryland, a new partnership between Montgomery College (Montgomery County, Md.) and the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) program at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, Md., is attacking this serious issue. The joint venture was awarded a two-year Nurse Support Program II grant through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and the Maryland Higher Education Commission to develop a Model Dual Enrollment (MDE) project. The goal of the MDE project is to create a smooth transition from the Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), increasing the number of bedside nursing candidates in Maryland. Although each of the institutions currently has their own nursing program, the grant would allow them to share resources in developing the MDE project. If successful, the project could be duplicated by other colleges and universities in the state, creating even more bedside nursing prospects. “The MDE project will give us an opportunity to learn more about each other’s programs and will set the groundwork for building on each school’s strengths,” said Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, assistant dean for the UMSON program at USG. “We are excited about the possibilities this partnership holds for each of our institutions.” Believed to be a step in the right direction for increasing bedside nursing candidates, the award will also help further the mission of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Future of Nursing Campaign for Action to advance comprehensive health care change. Specifically, it will address one of the eight goals set forth in the IOM report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020. A major obstacle in solving the problem of the dearth of bedside nurses has been the struggle of ADN graduates to complete their BSN degrees. The Maryland Action Coalition, an arm of The Future of Nursing Campaign for Action, has identified an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression as a solution and top priority. “One of the barriers to ADN nurses continuing for their BSN degree is a perception that there is no value in further education,” said Barbara Nubile, MSN, RN, associate dean/director of nursing at Montgomery College (MC). “By working together, MC and UMSON will be able to develop a transition from ADN to BSN that clearly demonstrates the added knowledge, skills, and abilities that further education provides. This is an exciting project not just for the two schools, but also for the state.” The Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action is coordinated through the Center to Champion Nursing in America, the AARP Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The MDE project will be funded through Fiscal Year 2014, totaling more than $161,000. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment. Montgomery College is a public, open admissions community college with campuses in Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring, plus workforce development/continuing education centers and off-site programs throughout Montgomery County, Md. The College serves nearly 60,000 students a year, through both credit and noncredit programs, in more than 130 areas of study.

Baltimore, Md. – Six University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) doctoral students are among more than 100 students nationwide to be named Jonas Scholars by the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence. Two PhD students – Ana Duarte, MS, PMHNP-BC, and Mari Griffioen, MS, RN – and two Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students – Sonia Brown, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, and Susy Postal, MS, RN-BC – have been selected to receive grants from the Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholar Program. The program, which launched in 2008, aims to address the nursing faculty shortage by increasing the number of doctoral-prepared faculty available to teach in nursing schools nationwide.   Darlene Curley, executive director of the Jonas program, notes that in addition to growing the ranks of nursing faculty, Jonas scholars will also expand the number of advanced practice nurses who can serve as primary care providers and health care leaders – vital roles as the nation’s health care system undergoes sweeping transformations. Among the first cohort to receive scholarship awards from the Jonas Nursing Scholars Program for Veterans Health are PhD student Benjamin Canha, MSN, RN, and DNP student Kathryn Gift, MSN, RN. The program, which is launching in fall 2012, seeks to improve veterans’ health care. “The tremendous health challenges facing our veterans require a specially trained workforce and this program is a significant first step in preparing nurses to be on the frontlines of veterans’ care,” says Curley. Each scholar will receive $10,000 for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years. “We are extremely proud of our doctoral students who received these prestigious scholarships,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of UMSON. “Through their research and practice, they will develop new knowledge about critical health issues, improve health systems, and help educate future generations of nurses. Our Veterans Health Scholars will develop new knowledge and care models to help provide better health care for our veterans.” #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Courses to emphasize ethnic diversity and cultural competency. Baltimore, Md. – Beginning in the fall 2012 semester, four new electives, designed specifically for nurse executives and chief nurse officers, will be added to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON). Funded by a $1.13 million training grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the project calls not only for the new electives, but also for an increased emphasis on recruiting and retaining ethnically diverse students from rural or medically underserved areas or with plans to practice in those areas. The goal of the project is to reduce disparities in health care by improving access to quality care and providing a pool of diverse and culturally competent DNP graduates. “This project will have high relevance in advancing leadership and quality outcomes in areas that comprise an underserved and vulnerable population,” says Robin Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, professor and program director on the grant. “Raising the number of well-prepared and ethnically diverse DNP graduates for teaching, clinical practice, and leadership positions will help increase the quality and safety of health care by supporting evidence-based practice and strengthening health care systems.” Nurse executives play an essential role in assuring high quality health care, making sure that services are available and delivered in a way that improves health to the people they serve. Increasing the cultural relevance of high quality doctoral education will prepare nurse executives for innovative leadership in diverse settings, benefiting Maryland citizens. For more information on UMSON’s DNP program and the new nurse executive electives, visit:http://nursing.umaryland.edu/academic-programs/grad/doctoral-degree/dnp or call 410-706-7522. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. –The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is among 11 universities in the nation designated as Centers of Excellence in Pain Education (CoEPEs) by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pain Consortium. The School of Nursing is one of four UMB schools collaborating in the UMB CoEPE, along with the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, and Pharmacy, with the goal of developing an interprofessional pain management curriculum resource for health care professionals to advance the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of pain. According to an NIH statement, “The CoEPEs will act as hubs for the development, evaluation, and distribution of pain management curriculum resources for medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy schools to enhance and improve how health care professionals are taught about pain and its treatment.” “This prestigious designation is important to our campus because it helps to further solidify and advance interprofessional education and research initiatives related to pain,” says Deborah McGuire, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor and School of Nursing faculty leader in the UMB CoEPE. “No one takes care of people with pain alone, so it is imperative that we solve the problem from the interdisciplinary, clinical perspective that is offered by our Center.”  According to NIH Director Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, each of the 11 CoEPEs is charged with translating current research findings about pain management to fill what have been recognized as gaps in curricula so that clinicians in all fields can work with their patients to make better and safer choices about pain management. UMB collaborators plan to develop an online integrative foundational curriculum, Interprofessional Foundations and Applications in Pain Management. This resource will provide a shared learning experience for dental, medical, nursing, and pharmacy students in early professional training, although it can also be used for continuing education. Web-based integrative case scenarios will illustrate and reinforce the foundational curriculum which has content common to students from all four disciplines. Patient case histories, representing scenarios that might be encountered by any of these health professionals, will be included. Other School of Nursing faculty members involved in this initiative are Karen Kaiser, PhD, RN, adjunct associate professor, and Anita Tarzian, PhD, RN, associate professor. Other primary UMB collaborators include co-principal investigator Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD, BCPS, CPE, professor, School of Pharmacy; co-principal investigator Sharon Gordon, DDS, PhD, MPH, director of graduate education, School of Dentistry; and faculty leaders Douglas Ross, MD, PhD, professor, School of  Medicine, and Richard Traub, PhD, professor, School of Pharmacy. The new CoEPEs were selected by the NIH Pain Consortium after a contract solicitation process and review. UMB was one of more than 50 universities vying for this important designation. The combination of four professional schools was a strong point of the UMB application. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

 Twelve students, representing each of the University of Maryland'ssix professional schools in Baltimore, will depart Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in early July and arrive in Blantyre, Malawi, for a six-week study of maternal/child health services. The project will also determine if gaps in care exist, and if so why-from a local, national, and international perspective. The students will work together to administer the World Health Organization's Safe Motherhood Survey in the rural district of Chikhwawa, in the southern region of Malawi. Chikhwawa, the same district visited by last year's interdisciplinary project team, is one of the sites participating in Miriam Laufer, MD's seven year surveillance study of malaria in Malawi. Laufer is an associate professor at the School of Medicine. The team of students will survey all forms of maternity services in the district, from the smallest health centers to the district hospital, to trace the health services available to women in the area. Students will create a database to collate the information and provide feedback to the maternal/child health officials in Malawi. The project developed out of discussions between School of Medicine representatives and local Malawi leaders, who noted that while groups conduct surveys and needs assessments in a single site where they plan to work, health officials do not have an opportunity to collect data in a standardized fashion across the whole district. The University's interdisciplinary team hopes that its report will help local health care providers advocate for more and better services in maternal/child health (especially in remote areas), identify areas that require urgent attention when new programs are available, and be useful on the national level for policymakers to determine changes that need to be made. The students include Katie Januario and Dasha Smith from the School of Social Work, Vera Kuffour-Manu and Dorothy Njathi from the School of Nursing, Kristin Lohr and Sarah Britz from the School of Medicine, Maria Maunz and Monet Stanford from the School of Pharmacy, Jonathan Nagel and Ashley La Riccia from the Francis King Carey School of Law, and Norman Wang and Zach Schonfield from the School of Dentistry. Faculty will include Laufer and Emilie Calvello, MD, MPH, from the medical school; Jody Olsen, PhD, MSW, from the School of Social Work; Peter Danchin, JSD, LLM, LLB, and Virginia Rowthorn, JD, from the law school; and Mary Regan, PhD, RN, MS, and Barbara Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, from the School of Nursing. The University of Maryland Global Health Interprofessional Council is sponsoring this project. While the entire team will be together in Blantyre for the first week of the project to gather background information and finalize its research strategy, the team will then divide into two groups to visit health centers and hospitals in different parts of the district. They will be joined by students from the University of Malawi law school. In addition to conducting fieldwork, the group hopes to schedule several workshops and meetings with stakeholders in the Malawi health care field and human rights communities to gather information about the country's health care system and human rights advocacy. The meetings will provide context for the survey findings and the fieldwork. The students will focus on district, national, and international policies and funding sources to help them understand how maternal/child health is regulated and funded. To follow the progress of the project, visit the Malawi Project Facebook page here. Article originally posted 6/25/2012 by Ed Fishel:http://www.umaryland.edu/offices/communications/news/?ViewStatus=FullArticle&articleDetail=18375.

Funds will aid second career nurses from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has been selected – for the fifth consecutive time – as a grant recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Careers in Nursing (NCIN) Scholarship Program. Five $10,000 scholarships will be awarded for the 2012-2013 academic year to newly admitted students in UMSON’s Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s degree option. Award preference is given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. The CNL master’s option, designed for students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing, prepares them as advanced generalists in the provision of direct patient care and clinical leadership. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse. “We are pleased that we have once again received these scholarship funds, which will help minimize some of the financial burden for our students,” says Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD, PMH/CNS, BC, associate professor and director of the CNL master’s option. “Our previous scholars have stated how grateful they were for their awards, which they used for tuition, books, living expenses, and child care.”  The NCIN Scholarship Program, launched in 2008 by RWJF and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, aims to expand enrollment in accelerated degree programs in schools of nursing while increasing diversity in the nursing workforce. Grants provided through this competitive program will build upon UMSON’s previous efforts to increase the number of students enrolled in its CNL master’s option and to diversify its student base. “The NCIN scholarship provided huge financial help toward my tuition,” says scholarship recipient Michael Okojie, MSHA, MS, RN(c), CNL(c), a 2012 graduate of UMSON’s CNL master’s option. “As a CNL student, I was able to take advantage of sessions on how to succeed in nursing school, which were very helpful.” UMSON is one of 55 schools of nursing receiving funding for the upcoming academic year. This latest award brings the total to 43 CNL students who have received scholarships through RWJF’s NCIN program. Past scholars experienced a variety of clinical settings and gained beginning knowledge of evidence-based practice, health care quality, and patient outcomes. For more information about the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program, visithttp://www.newcareersinnursing.org.  To learn more about UMSON’s CNL program, visithttp://nursing.umaryland.edu. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

The video, Reflections on INQRI’s Work, highlights the efforts of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Interdisciplinary Nursing Quality Research Initiative (INQRI). Dr. Newhouse’s part,Rural Hospital Quality Cooperative, begins at 4:42 minutes (voice only); Dr. Resnick’s part,Function Focused Care, begins at 6:48 minutes.

648 Graduates Receive Degrees  Baltimore, MD – Donned in academic regalia and wearing big smiles, the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Class of 2012 entered Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance, on Friday, May 18, to celebrate the completion of their nursing degrees. The state’s largest class of nurses – 648 strong – included 282 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 333 Master of Science, 21 Doctor of Nursing Practice, and 12 PhD graduates. Kathleen Buckley, PhD, RN, IBCLC, associate professor and chair of the UMSON Faculty Council, welcomed graduates, family members, faculty, and friends. “You begin your careers at a time when nursing presents unparalleled possibilities—no other profession offers such a diverse range of career paths and opportunities for professional advancement,” said Buckley. “Very few professions afford you the privilege of having a significant impact on the lives of individuals, families, and communities as nursing does.” Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean and professor, who will be retiring this year, provided many words of wisdom to the graduates in her Convocation address. “Knowing what is right in any situation is often very complex, but the more we practice, the better we get at it,” said Dean Allan. “As nurses, we are endowed by our education with the capacity to be ethical and we cultivate that endowment by daily practice, which includes constant questioning of what we see taking place around us as it affects both patients and nurses, and then talking about it with other nurses – not in a judgmental way, but in a way that brings forth all the relevant values that could be attached to a decision or situation.” Later in the day, School of Nursing graduates participated in the University of Maryland, Baltimore Commencement ceremony at 1st Mariner Arena, where Freeman Hrabowski, III, PhD, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, delivered the Commencement address. Peter Buerhaus, PhD, RN, FAAN, Valere Potter Professor of Nursing and director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree at the Commencement ceremony. View the Convocation 2012 Slideshow! #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

 Baltimore, Md. – Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has announced the appointment of Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, as associate dean for research. Dorsey, an associate professor and a member of the UMSON faculty since 2004, has served as interim associate dean for research since January 1, 2012. Under Dorsey’s leadership, UMSON’s Office of Research will continue to build an effective infrastructure that supports and facilitates the science conducted by the research faculty, while creating synergy and new collaborative opportunities for UMSON researchers with those from other schools across the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. “The School of Nursing has steadily moved its research mission forward, most recently rising to 19th in receipt of funding (for schools of nursing) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and introducing two new centers of research excellence,” says Dorsey. “My goal is to keep this momentum going while finding new ways to increase our extramural funding. To this end, one of our major initiatives is to implement the new five-year strategic plan for research, developed by our senior research faculty members, and to ensure its success.” “Dr. Susan Dorsey is a highly regarded nurse scientist who brings extensive research expertise, skills in developing substantial interdisciplinary linkages and partners, and innovative approaches to further develop UMSON’s research mission,” said Dean Janet Allan. “We are happy to have one of our illustrious alumnae assume this critical role.” In addition to her positions at UMSON, Dorsey holds an adjunct faculty appointment in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry’s Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, serves as a full faculty member in the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and is an active faculty member in several campus-wide programs, including oncology, neuroscience, and personalized medicine. She is an affiliate faculty member at the Institute for Genome Sciences and in the Shock Trauma Anesthesiology Research (STAR) Organized Research Center in the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dorsey’s basic and translational program of research in the molecular, cellular, and genetic mechanisms and chronic pain has been continuously funded by NIH and the American Pain Society. She is the principal investigator of the National Institute for Nursing Research P-30 funded University of Maryland Center for Pain Studies. Dorsey holds a PhD and a Master of Science degree from UMSON, and a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia Wesleyan University. She did post-doctoral training at NIH’s National Cancer Institute. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked 11th nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

UMSON Joins the Ranks of Hundreds of Others in Educating Nursing Students on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the Coming Years Baltimore, Md./Washington, D.C. – First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have announced a commitment from nurses across the country eager to serve our veterans and military families as well as they have served us. In a broad, coordinated effort, more than 150 state and national nursing organizations and more than 500 nursing schools, including the University of Maryland School of Nursing, have committed to further educate our nation’s 3 million nurses so they are prepared to meet the unique health needs of service members, veterans, and their families. Led by the American Nurses Association, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing, in coordination with the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, nursing organizations and schools have committed to educating current and future nurses on how to recognize and care for veterans impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, and other combat-related issues, in ways appropriate to each nurse’s practice setting.  “Whether we’re in a hospital, a doctor’s office or a community health center, nurses are often the first people we see when we walk through the door. Because of their expertise, they are trusted to be the frontline of America’s health care system,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “That’s why Jill and I knew we could turn to America’s nurses and nursing students to help our veterans and military families get the world-class care that they’ve earned. It’s clear from today’s announcement that the nursing community is well on its way to serving our men and women in uniform and their families.” “Nurses are at the center of providing lifesaving care in communities across the country – and their reach is particularly important because our veterans don't always seek care through the VA system,” said Dr. Jill Biden. “This commitment is essential to ensuring our returning service men and women receive the care they deserve.” “Our participation in the Joining Forces campaign is in keeping with the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s long standing involvement in educating military nurses and veterans ,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing.”  Dean Allan noted, for example, that the School of Nursing established the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing in 1964—a four-year program subsidized by the U.S. Army in which graduates were obligated to serve for three years in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps following graduation. More than 1,100 nurses graduated from the program before it ended in 1978. “Since nurses make up the largest segment of the professional health care workforce—and they are the most trusted among all professions— it is only fitting that nurses and nursing schools are at the forefront of this important national campaign,” said Dean Allan. The invisible wounds of war, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), have impacted approximately one in six of our troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq – more than 300,000 veterans. And since 2000, more than 44,000 of those troops have suffered at least a moderate-grade traumatic brain injury.  Nursing leaders have also committed to disseminating effective models for care and to sharing the most up-to-date information on these conditions across academic and practice settings.   By working to expand the body of clinical knowledge in this arena and by partnering with other health care providers and institutions, nursing leaders across the country will continue to advance high quality treatment for these conditions in every community.  Nursing School Commitment More than 500 nursing schools in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have committed by 2014 to: Educating America’s future nurses to care for our nation's veterans, service members, and their families facing post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, and other clinical issues; Enriching nursing education to ensure that current and future nurses are trained in the unique clinical challenges and best practices associated with caring for military service members, veterans, and their families; Integrating content that addresses the unique health and wellness challenges of our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families into nursing curricula; Sharing teaching resources and applying best practices in the care of service members, veterans, and their families; Growing the body of knowledge leading to improvements in health care and wellness for our service members, veterans, and their families; and Joining with others to further strengthen the supportive community of nurses, institutions, and healthcare providers dedicated to improving the health of service members, veterans, and their families. For more information about the Joining Forces initiative, visit http://www.aacn.nche.edu/joining-forces #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

RACHEL GRANFIELD AND CAELIE HAINES Dozens of representatives of the University met with state legislators recently during the annual advocacy events in Annapolis. Every winter, during the Maryland General Assembly’s legislative session, each school schedules a day for students, faculty, and staff to discuss issues with lawmakers in the state capital.      Just before dawn on Jan. 20, a busload of participants from the Francis King Carey School of Law headed to Annapolis. Five students shadowed legislators during the morning, while the rest divided into groups of three or four. Delegate Samuel Rosenberg, JD, a longtime adjunct professor at the law school, spoke to the attendees about strategies for advocacy and how to frame an issue.  “The event was informative and exciting,” says student Ian Clark, whose group met with Lisa Gladden, JD ’91, law school alumna and senator, as well as delegates Keiffer Mitchell Jr.; Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, who has a bachelor’s degree from the School of Nursing; and Melvin Stukes. Student Elsa Clausen says she was pleased “to see how well-known and well-respected in Annapolis the law school is.”  The participants, including University President Jay A. Perman, MD, and Phoebe A. Haddon, JD, LLM, dean of the Carey School of Law, also watched sessions in the Senate and the House of Delegates, and the group was recognized from the floor by both chambers of the legislature. Gladden spoke about her pride in the law school and its clinical program—in which she participated as a student—and Senator Jamin Raskin extended a special welcome to Haddon and praised her for receiving the 2011 Great Teacher Award from the Society of American Law Teachers. The annual trip to Annapolis allows law school students to “learn about legislative advocacy and the major issues in front of the General Assembly,” says alumna Teresa LaMaster, JD ’95, associate dean for planning and external affairs and lecturer in law at the School. Seeing “another version of advocacy besides the courtroom” can open students’ eyes to other professional possibilities for attorneys, adds Dawna Cobb, JD, assistant dean for student affairs and lecturer in law.       The visit also gives the law school a chance to show its appreciation for the legislature’s support, says LaMaster. “We have a terrific group of graduates and friends in Annapolis, who are tremendously supportive of the law school and our students,” she says. “So it is also always a day to say thanks.” On Jan. 25, Perman and E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, University of Maryland vice president for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, joined more than 40 medical students and faculty to speak with members of the General Assembly in Annapolis. During face-to-face meetings with lawmakers, participants discussed physician shortages, the positive impact that the School of Medicine’s research success has on the state’s economy, and the need for loan repayment assistance programs, scholarships, and funding for a new research building. Michael Busch, speaker of the House of Delegates, kicked off the day during breakfast by thanking the students for participating in the political process.  “Legislative day,” says Reece, “is a wonderful opportunity for our students and our faculty to thank legislators for their support, and share with them the exciting things that are happening on our campus.”  “When I went to medical school we did not learn how to advocate for our profession,” Perman told the students. “We didn’t learn to advocate for our educational needs, so you all are very fortunate.” Second-year student Jeff Zapora says the day in Annapolis “was a really good learning experience,” adding that it was “very interesting to see how things work in our state capital.” “I have no background in this kind of thing,” said Jennifer Redd, a second-year student, “so it’s really exciting to come here and see how it all works and to have them listen to what we have to say. It’s great that the School gives us the opportunity to get involved in these kind of events.” “We’re very proud of you,” Senate President and law school alumnus Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr., JD ’67, told the medical students. “We hope you continue your education, and we hope you stay in Maryland. We will continue to work on the loan assistance program to try and help. Sometimes it takes a long time to make good policy happen. But this is good policy. You are one of our most precious resources, and we need you to stay here in Maryland.” Ronald Hube contributed to this article. Article originally published in the VOICE.

Baltimore, Md. – Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), announced that she will retire this summer after a decade of distinguished leadership. Renowned and admired as a nurse leader, researcher, role model, and mentor, Dr. Allan’s legacy will have a lasting impact on the University and the health care of Marylanders for many years to come. “I take great pride in the tremendous accomplishments and achievements of UMSON faculty, staff, and students,” said Dr. Allan. “While this was a very tough decision, I believe the timing is right for me and for the School. Though I am stepping down as dean, I am more excited than ever by UMSON’s state and national prominence and the possibilities on the horizon for our School and the University.” Under Dr. Allan’s leadership, UMSON expanded its research efforts, pioneering two centers of research excellence. The School’s rankings rose dramatically in schools of nursing receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health. Enrollment grew to an all-time high, making UMSON one of the largest schools of nursing in the nation; the number of doctoral-prepared faculty members increased considerably; and the School rose in U.S.News & World Report rankings of graduate nursing programs. During Dr. Allan’s tenure, several new academic programs were introduced, including the state’s first Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, Nurse Anesthesia master’s specialty, and Clinical Nurse Leader option. The Institute for Educators in Nursing and Health Professions and the Office of Global Health were also initiated. In 2010, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education granted the maximum first-time accreditation of five years to UMSON’s graduate and undergraduate programs. Dr. Allan led the establishment of the 10-year, $100 million Nurse Support II program that provides grant funding to nursing programs and support to students for educational advancement to increase the number of nurse faculty members in the state. After the Institute of Medicine/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released the Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report in October 2010, Dr. Allan chaired the Maryland Action Coalition, a diverse group of stakeholders charged with developing a blueprint for implementing the recommendations in the state. “Nurses are on the front lines, fighting day and night for the health and well-being of Maryland families,” said U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski. “Dr. Janet Allan has been a tireless advocate for Maryland nurses, who are too often overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. As Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, she has helped educate a new pipeline of workers to fill jobs in nursing that have helped to save lives, protect families, and transform communities.” Dr. Allan is the first nursing school dean appointed to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Committee, a sub-committee of the University of Maryland Medical System that serves as UMMC’s governing board. She orchestrated a partnership between UMSON and UMMC, UM Nursing, which provides novel opportunities for research, education, and practice to optimize health outcomes.  In addition to her service to the state of Maryland, Dr. Allan has held numerous positions of national leadership. She is currently treasurer of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), as well as AACN’s representative on the multidisciplinary Healthy People Curriculum Task Force and the AACN Grassroots Liaison for Maryland. In the past, Dr. Allan has served as vice chair of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force and as its lead spokesperson on topics such as breast cancer screening, hormone replacement therapy, and adult obesity. She was also president of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS), and a board member for the American Academy of Nursing and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research.  “Janet Allan brought the School of Nursing to a new level of excellence during her decade as dean,” said Jay A. Perman, MD, president of the University of Maryland. “Her visionary leadership, as well as the new programs and initiatives introduced during her tenure, have resulted in a prominent presence for the School at the local, state, and national levels.” Dr. Allan has published nearly 150 articles, book chapters, and abstracts, and is an expert on the nurse shortage, the nursing faculty shortage, leadership in academia, breast cancer screening, and obesity in women. She has received numerous honors and awards, including being named an American Academy of Nursing Fellow, receiving the Maryland Nurses’ Association’s 2011 Outstanding Pathfinder of the Year Award, and obtaining membership in The Daily Record’s Top 100 Women “Circle of Excellence.” In addition, Dr. Allan received NurseWeek magazine’s prestigious Nursing Excellence Award, the NONPF Lifetime Achievement Award, and the SNRS’s Distinguished Researcher of the Year Award. Dr. Allan was also one of only nine nurses in the nation honored for her contributions to the care of people with AIDS and HIV infection. Dr. Allan holds a PhD in medical anthropology from the University of California, San Francisco and Berkeley; an MS degree and a post-MS certificate (Adult Health Practitioner) from the University of California, San Francisco; and a BS from Skidmore College. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked 11th nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has announced the reappointment of Professor Barbara Resnick, PhD ‘96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, to the Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Endowed Chair in Gerontology for an additional five years, beginning July 1, 2012. Funded through a gift from Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Goodman, MS ’79, BSN ’73, and currently valued at $1.1 million, the chair enables a national expert to conduct research and educate students in the growing nursing specialty of gerontology.  “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the support provided through the Sonya Gershowitz Goodman Endowed Chair,” says Dr. Resnick. “It has allowed us to expand on funded projects and initiate pilot work to continue to build our research and disseminate our findings, support students with a focus on care of older adults, and work on policies that will benefit the care that older adults receive in Maryland and across the nation.” Dr. Resnick is nationally and internationally renowned for her research on improving the health of the elderly and for her leadership in the education of geriatric nurse practitioners. She has devoted much of her career to building a comprehensive research program that focuses on ways to motivate older adults to engage in functional activities and exercise to improve their overall health and quality of life. In addition to her faculty role at UMSON and her on-going research, Dr. Resnick works as a geriatric nurse practitioner at Roland Park Place, a continuing care retirement community in Baltimore. “Dr. Barbara Resnick is an exemplary researcher, scholar, mentor, clinician, teacher, and national leader in the field of gerontology,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “She has made major contributions to the field through her research and dissemination of her research findings during her first appointment as the Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Endowed Chair, and I am confident that she will continue this excellent work during the next five years. We are proud to count her among our cadre of esteemed alumni and internationally renowned research faculty.”         #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has achieved its highest research ranking ever from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), advancing to 19th place among nursing schools receiving research funding from NIH. UMSON has continually improved in this prestigious ranking over the past five years, when in 2007, it was ranked 33rd.  NIH rankings are based on the amount of research dollars awarded by NIH to each school. These competitive grants are reviewed by NIH experts for their scientific merit and program relevance. In 2011, UMSON faculty members attracted more than $2.5 million in NIH grants for research in areas such as chronic pain, impulsivity and drug abuse, neuromuscular disorders, and bone health. “We are very proud of this ranking,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of UMSON. “It is a testament to our mission of developing leaders in nursing education, research, and practice.” Research at UMSON produces distinctive, peer-reviewed inquiry to shape the profession of nursing and the health care environment. By advancing research, UMSON builds sustainable programs, including collaborative, participatory networks with other disciplines, organizations, and communities. Research is infused in UMSON’s educational and practice initiatives. “This achievement is a tribute to our School’s leadership and to our esteemed nurse scientists,” says Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and interim associate dean for research. “Grants from NIH are among the most competitive, so this is quite an accomplishment for our faculty and our School.” #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Students and faculty of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) met with lawmakers and state officials on Feb. 15 during the School's 2012 Advocacy Day in Annapolis. Bearing materials that helped show the School's impact in strengthening the delivery of health care in the state, more than 30 students visited legislative offices and several shadowed individual lawmakers. Graduates of UMSON comprise more than 40 percent of Maryland's nurse workforce and the School educates its students at clinical outreach sites throughout the state. On Advocacy Day, UMSON representatives distributed maps showing the number of clinical sites in each county. At the undergraduate level, for example, 46 students were being educated at sites in eight counties and Baltimore City. At the graduate level, a total of 479 master's, 45 clinical, and 20 doctoral students were being educated in 20 counties and the city. Students encouraged legislators to support funding for the Loan Assistance Repayment Program and to continue to support the Governor's budget request for the University of Maryland. They also told lawmakers that they are thankful for having access to top-notch faculty and a variety of clinical opportunities. Upon their arrival in Annapolis, the students were welcomed by Patricia Morton, PhD, RN, ACNP, FAAN, professor and associate dean for academic affairs at the school, and by UM President Jay A. Perman, MD, who discussed the role of advocacy. "Anything we say," he said, referring to university leaders, "pales in comparison to what you say. I'm convinced they (legislators) care about you, and about what you're going through as you prepared for a career." Several legislators also greeted the group of about 50 students and faculty members. Among those offering remarks and advice were Del. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, MAS, BSN, RN, a 1980 alumna of UMSON who represents Baltimore County, Del. Adelaide Eckardt, MS, RN, a 1981 alumna who represents several counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore, and Sen. Karen Montgomery, MFA, who represents Montgomery County. "Keep your skills up and your backs strong," Montgomery told the group. Carolyn Quattrocki, JD, executive director of the governor's Office of Health Care Reform (OHCR), addressed the group on how the nursing profession is likely to be affected by the state's implementation of the Affordable Care Act. "We view it as providing a toolkit," she said, adding that the federal law gives OHCR "a lot of discretion to implement health care reform and make changes in our state that work well for Marylanders." Students who accompanied lawmakers were Marina Overby, who shadowed Sen. Thomas Middleton, Charles County; Scott Tsikerdanos, paired with Sen. James Robey, MA, Howard County;Lauren Bentley, with Del. William Frank, MAS, of Baltimore County; Heather Boulanger, with Del. Keith Haynes, JD, MPA, of Baltimore; Amy Grammas, with Del. Kieffer Mitchell Jr., JD, Baltimore; and Daniel Ceppos, accompanying Del. Shawn Tarrant, Baltimore. Boulanger, a Master's of Science in Nursing student, said she was honored to have spent the day with Haynes. "I felt so privileged to have the delegates take an interest in the needs and ideas of the students in their jurisdictions. They not only allowed us to shadow them but to also be engaged in their meetings." She said the experience showed her that the legislators "truly valued our opinions and ideas." Article originally published March 4, 2012 by the University of Maryland Office of Communications and Public Affairs. http://www.umaryland.edu/offices/communications/news/?ViewStatus=FullArticle&articleDetail=16555

Baltimore, Md. – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield recently presented a check for $955,276 to the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) to fund a three-year grant in support of the Governor’s Wellmobile Program. The check presentation took place Jan. 30 during ceremonies at UMSON. “We are here to celebrate the launch of a very special collaboration, which is going to have an important impact on the health care of some of the most vulnerable children, adults and families across three rural upper Eastern Shore counties,” said Kathryn Montgomery, PhD, RN, associate dean for strategic partnerships and initiatives at UMSON. The grant will fund primary care and enhanced care management for underserved and uninsured populations in Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties. Through partnerships and collaborations with health care systems, the goal of this model is to reduce unnecessary re-hospitalizations and emergency department utilization by filling the gap in the existing health care system infrastructure. “In addition to delivering primary care services and providing a holistic approach to serving patients, you take your show on the road,” said Maria Tildon, CareFirst senior vice president for public policy and community affairs. Administered by UMSON, the Wellmobile Program consists of nurse-managed traveling health clinics created by statute in 1994. The dual mission of the program is to provide health services for underserved communities and uninsured individuals and to serve as a training site for UMSON students. The public-private partnership had expanded to four vehicles but then shrank in 2009 due to economic pressure brought on by the recession. Budget cuts had reduced the program to one geographic region and smaller-scale, community focused initiatives. Montgomery expressed gratitude to CareFirst for the funding, which allows not only the reinstatement of Wellmobile service in the Eastern Shore region, but the introduction of a new model of care. She said it will perform a vital “gap-service” role in the transitioning landscape of health care. University of Maryland President Jay A. Perman, MD, welcomed the collaborative nature of the venture, saying the event was an opportunity to celebrate partnership. “This is the way we have to move forward,” he said. “We can achieve something no one institution can achieve alone.” He added that the grant from CareFirst will allow the University “to meet our mission to the citizens of Maryland.” Maryland Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk, a member of the Wellmobile board of directors, also praised the CareFirst grant: “We need public-private partnerships. We cannot do it alone.” Delegate Adelaide Eckardt, RN; Robert Chrencik, MBA, president and chief executive officer of the University of Maryland Medical System; Gerard Walsh, MS, interim president and chief executive officer, Shore Health System; Scott Burleson, MBA, FACHE, executive vice president, Chester River Hospital Center; and T. Sue Gladhill, MSW, UM vice president for external affairs, also attended the ceremonies, which concluded with Wellmobile tours. Susan Antol, MS, RN, an assistant professor at UMSON and Wellmobile program director, said:  “We hope to develop a model that adds value to the community and supports the hospitals, primary care practices, and the local Federally Qualified Health Center in building a seamless network of health care, especially in this time of health care reform and the impact it has on current health care systems.”  Wellmobile Gift Presentation Tour from UM news on Vimeo. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s Institute for Educators in Nursing and Health Professions was recently awarded a $1 million, four-year Nurse Support Program II grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The purpose of the grant is to increase the capacity of nurses in Maryland by implementing statewide initiatives to grow the number of nurses prepared to function effectively in a faculty role. By increasing the number of nursing faculty, more students can be admitted to schools of nursing in Maryland, reducing the nursing shortage. “To achieve the goals of this project, we will develop initiatives to orient, guide, support, and provide opportunities for networking and collaborating,” says Louise Jenkins, PhD, RN, FAHA, professor and co-director of the grant and the Institute for Educators in Nursing and Health Professions. The grant has three initiatives: 1) develop statewide orientation programs, partly online and partly in the classroom, to prepare nurses transitioning from clinical to faculty roles; 2) support nursing faculty in Maryland with online resources to enhance their knowledge and skills; and 3) facilitate ongoing faculty development, networking, and collaboration through regular teaching grand rounds and workshops, and an annual conference focusing on current issues affecting nursing faculty. “This grant will allow us to build on the successes of the institute, created in 2004, to address the nursing faculty shortage,” says Carol O’Neil, PhD, RN, CNE, associate professor and co-director of the grant and the institute. “Increasing the capacity of nurses in Maryland will help meet the health care needs of our residents.” #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Media Advisory WHAT: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to Present Check in Support of Governor’s Wellmobile Program WHEN: Monday, January 30, 11 a.m. WHERE: University of Maryland School of Nursing655 W. Lombard Street – Second Floor LobbyBaltimore, MD 21201 Wellmobile tours immediately following event. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield will present a check for $955,276 to the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) to fund a three-year grant in support of the Governor’s Wellmobile Program. The grant will fund a new model of nurse-managed primary care and enhanced care management for underserved and uninsured populations across three rural upper Eastern Shore counties:  Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot. Through partnerships and collaborations with health care systems, the goal of this model is to reduce unnecessary re-hospitalizations and emergency department utilization by filling the gap in the existing health care system infrastructure. The Governor’s Wellmobile Program is a fleet of traveling health clinics that have served Maryland’s Western, Central, and Eastern Shore regions since 1994. The Wellmobile vans are fully equipped to provide primary health care services, disease prevention, and referral services to uninsured and underinsured Marylanders, using a nurse-managed family nurse practitioner model. The Wellmobiles also serve as clinical learning sites for UMSON undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. #  #  # In its 75th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2011, CareFirst contributed $51 million to community programs designed to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.  The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – Several Maryland hospitals and individual nurses were honored today for their environmental health achievements at the Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment’s (MD H2E) annual Environmental Excellence in Health Care Conference. The first annual Nursing Leadership in Environmental Health Award was presented to University of Maryland School of Nursing alumna Denise Choiniere, MS ‘09, RN, sustainability manager for University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Choiniere, the first full-time sustainability manager in a Maryland hospital, spearheaded a number of environmental initiatives at UMMC, including a hazardous pharmaceutical waste management program, Earth Day events, and a weekly farmers’ market. MD H2E Director Barbara Sattler, DrPH, RN, FAAN, was honored with an Environmental Health Visionary Award. Sattler is founder and director of the University of Maryland School of Nursing’sEnvironmental Health Education Center and an associate professor in the School’s Community/Public Health master’s specialty. Five Maryland hospitals were recognized with MD H2E Trailblazer Awards, which are presented annually to hospitals that have shown leadership in advancing sustainability in their operations. Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) – AAMC replaced operating room surgical lights with LED lights and started a program to move from disposable single use medical devices to reprocessed and remanufactured devices. They also implemented a surgical services recycling program and took additional steps to reduce the amount of operating room waste. Carroll Hospital Center (CHC) –Using a sustainability tracking tool to quantify the results of an environmental initiative, CHC was able to track its water, energy, and natural gas usage. As a result, CHC took steps that reduced natural gas usage by 30 percent. These steps included boiler refurbishing, boiler parameter control charts, adjustment of pressure and water temperatures, and softening all domestic water within the hospital, which improved heat transfer through coils. Good Samaritan Hospital – Good Samaritan Hospital built an employee/community vegetable and herb garden on its campus.Volunteers planted a variety of crops and donated a portion of the food to a local food bank. The goal of the garden project is to teach employees about healthy food options, creating their own gardens, and sharing the harvest with the community. Good Samaritan is one of two Baltimore hospitals with vegetable gardens.   Union Hospital of Cecil County (UHCC) – Union Hospital is committed to purchasing local sustainable meat, poultry, and produce for its cafeteria and patient meals. Local farms have increased their acreage for produce, employed winter greenhouses for growing, and increased poultry flock size to meet the hospital’s needs. Forty-nine percent of UHCC’s meat and 100 percent of its beef is now purchased locally. Food waste is either composted or sent to an area hog farmer to be used for feed. University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) – UMMC focused on lighting conservation and upgrades in the past year. The goals of their project included turning off lights when not in use and when daylight is sufficient in atriums and hallways, replace inefficient light bulbs with more efficient bulbs, and establish a baseline to monitor changes. Occupancy sensors and photo cell sensors were installed and lights in mechanical rooms were placed on automated controls. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment. Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment is a technical assistance and networking initiative that promotes environmental sustainability in health care. Participants include hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, research laboratories, and other ancillary health care providers in Maryland

Baltimore, Md. – Associate Professor Robin Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to enhance the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Doctor of Nursing Practice program in ways that will benefit executive nurse leaders and the communities where they live and work. One enhancement of Newhouse’s project, “Enhancing the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program to Improve Healthcare for Underserved Populations of Maryland,” will be the addition of new electives specific for DNP students that are nurse executive, chief nurse officer, and director of nursing levels. “The University of Maryland is one of the top universities in terms of educating nurse administrators, and this is another step forward in leadership in this area,” says Newhouse, chair of the UMSON Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. UMSON will add targeted electives for nurse executives that are expected to fulfill their specific learning needs. The need for the grant was based on the results of a market survey of nurse leaders in parts of the state with rural and underserved populations. The potential DNP candidates work in nursing administration positions and are interested in obtaining the DNP degree. By raising the number of DNP graduates who are well prepared, ethnically diverse, and culturally sensitive, the project is expected to increase quality and safety by strengthening health care systems and supporting evidence-based practices. These are nursing practices that research has shown to be most effective. Another goal is to reduce health disparities in the state by improving access to quality care among minorities and disadvantaged populations in urban and rural areas. The DNP program will enhance cultural competency in its curriculum, recruit and hire faculty and staff from ethnic minorities to support program objectives, expand enrollment diversity, and add suitable clinical practicum sites. “We have a very diverse population in the DNP program, but we can always do better,” says Newhouse. The directed electives will be offered in the fall 2012 term to DNP students who have begun what is typically a three-year course of study.  UNSOM graduated 15 nurses with DNP degrees in 2011, bringing the total to 48 graduates. The DNP program has 78 students enrolled in the fall 2011 term. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The Maryland Summit on the Future of Nursing drew leaders from nursing education and health care, and physicians, elected officials, state government organizations, and business leaders, to the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) on September 23 for a conference held in response to a 2010 ground-breaking Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.          The purpose of the summit was to develop a strategic plan for implementing the recommendations of the IOM report in Maryland. The summit was led by the executive committee of the Maryland Action Coalition, one of 36 state-based coalitions named by the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. Maryland’s designation was announced Sept. 26 by the Center to Champion Nursing in America, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), and the AARP Foundation. Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of UMSON and founding member of the Maryland Action Coalition Executive Committee, welcomed the more than 200 participants to the all-day working conference. “This is a call to action for nursing, and for the country,” Allan said. “The vision of the IOM report is that all Americans have access to high-quality, patient-centered health care in a system where nurses contribute as essential partners in transforming the health care delivery system.” Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown urged the group to help the state meet an expected need for 11,000 new nurses by 2018. One way to strengthen the nursing workforce, he said, would be to increase the number of advanced degrees, thus making nurse educators “the force multiplier.” “The Future of Nursing Campaign could not have come at a better time,” said, William D. Novelli, distinguished professor of the practice, Georgetown University McDonough School of Business and former CEO of AARP, in his keynote address.  “The nation, indeed the entire world, is aging. Chronic disease management is becoming increasingly important. And so is advanced illness and end-of- life care.” Novelli said he learned a lot more about the importance of America’s 3 million nurses when he served on the RWJF/IOM Committee on the Future of Nursing. “I came to see that nurses are the principal care providers to people of all ages in all health care settings….nurses can and must play a vital role in helping realize the objectives set forth in the 2010 Affordable Care Act.” Deborah E. Trautman, PhD, RN, executive director, Johns Hopkins Medicine Center for Health Policy and Healthcare Transformation, presented “Linking the IOM Report and Health Care in Maryland.” She said health reform is needed because our nation’s current system is “expensive, ineffective, and unjust.” Dean Allan noted in her remarks that to achieve the report’s vision, the RWJ/IOM committee “in its wisdom stated that a political/stakeholder coalition must be built around the report to help in the implementation.” For example, participants in the summit included Maryland Senator Delores Kelley and Paula Hollinger, RN, associate director, health workforce, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and former member of the Maryland Senate. The conference was organized into eight work groups—one for each IOM recommendation— to draft a strategic plan for implementing The Future of Nursing’s recommendations in Maryland. The recommendations are: Remove Scope-of-Practice Barriers; Expand Opportunities for Nurses to Lead and Diffuse Collaborative Improvement Efforts; Implement Nurse Residency Programs; Increase the Proportion of Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to 80 percent by 2020; Double the Number of Nurses with a Doctorate by 2020; Ensure that Nurses Engage in Lifelong Learning; Prepare and Enable Nurses to Lead Change to Advance Health; and Build an Infrastructure for Collection/Analysis of Inter-professional Health Care Workforce Data. In addition to Dean Allan, members of the Maryland Coalition Executive Committee are Neil Meltzer, MD, president and CEO, Sinai Hospital and senior vice-president, LifeBridge Health; Lynn Reed, executive director, Governor’s Workforce Investment Board; Frank Calia, MD, vice dean of clinical affairs, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Larry Strassner, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, vice president of patient care and CEO, Franklin Square Hospital and president, Maryland Organization of Nurse Executives; Kelly Nevins Petz, CRNA, president, Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists; Nancy Adams, MBA, RN, president, Maryland Board of Nursing; and Pat Travis, PhD, CCRP, RN, president, Maryland Nurses Association. # # # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

In the Sept. 9, 2011 issue of the journal Science, University of Maryland researchers describe for the first time a new mechanism by which heart cells communicate to regulate the heartbeat. The language used by the cells is a major surprise, they say, because it employs extremely reactive chemicals that are better known for the harm than for basic cell functions. A study reported by the researchers provides new targets for the treatment of heart disease as a result of their hear cell experiments that defined the mechanisms involved in the cellular communication process. In their study, the authors stretched individual heart cells to simulate the behavior of the heart when it fills with blood with each heartbeat. To their surprise, they discovered that the stretch generates a small burst of molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), also known as free radicals. While free radicals are commonly considered detrimental to the cell and are the target of anti-oxidants (substances that help to stop deterioration), the authors found that the small, controlled burst of ROS activates calcium signals called calcium sparks that regulate contraction of the healthy heart. In contrast, a larger, uncontrolled burst of ROS in diseased cells was detrimental. The uncontrolled burst of ROS in those cells caused the essential calcium signaling to go awry, which can disrupt the normal heart rhythm and trigger arrythmias. "We have unmasked a signal that would otherwise be invisible," said W. Jonathan Lederer, MD, PhD, co-author and director of the University of Maryland Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology (BioMET). In 1993, Lederer and colleagues discovered calcium sparks, the elementary calcium signals that regulate contraction of the heart. Then in 2009, Lederer and Christopher Ward, PhD, associate professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing and co-author of the Science paper, with a group from Oxford University, first identified that stretching a heart cell could activate calcium sparks. However the molecular mechanism behind this process, and the implications it held for diseases, remained elusive until the present work. Discovery of such molecular signaling is important for two reasons. First, it helps heart physiologists better understand basic physiologic heart workings. "We can now look at a whole heart phenomenon but study it at a single cell level and get down to what is really happening in the individual heart cell," says co-author Benjamin Prosser, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, BioMET. "We think we have identified a mechanism that occurs in every heart cell with every heartbeat, and that is fundamental to the regulation of calcium release in the heart." In a larger context, says Prosser, "We have discovered a mechanism that is contributing to oxidative stress [in the heart]." It is well established that excess ROS production can cause oxidative stress, which negatively impacts the function of the heart. However the source of this excess ROS is still debated. According to Ward, "Our team's discoveries could be especially profound for studies of muscular dystrophy and other forms of heart disease. We believe that this uncontrolled production of ROS is important across any failing heart problem. We intend to test that theory." Enabling the discoveries of Prosser et al. was their invention and development of a new biological adhesive, MyoTak. The biological "glue" allowed the researchers to attach single heart cells to equipment designed to study the mechanical properties of the cell, a new technology that will now be marketed to researchers worldwide. Two companies have licensed the biological glue: IonOptix (Milton, Mass.) and World Precision Instruments (Sarasota, Fla.) The Science paper by Prosser, Ward, and Lederer is, "X-ROS Signaling: Rapid Mechano-Chemo Transduction in Heart," Sept. 9, 2011. Article originally posted Sept. 9, 2011 by the University of Maryland Office of External Affairs.

From the moment she organized her first Earth Day in 1970, Barbara Sattler, DrPH, RN, FAAN, says the environment, social justice, and human health have been important issues to her. Sattler started her career in nursing focused on the individual patient, but in the 1980s, she began looking at the health of the whole community, specifically those exposed to environmental risks. For example, she noticed changes in the behavior of workers in a chemical plant that manufactured pesticides. She also worked with Baltimore youth on urban environmental health problems such as lead poisoning. As a nurse, Sattler says, it’s important to help people make better decisions about possible exposures. “We hope nurses realize their capacity to educate patients and fellow nurses about critical issues such as the chemicals we use in our everyday lives.” Sattler is a professor at the School of Nursing and teaches in the Community/Public Health Nursing program—the only nursing program in the country with an environmental focus. Sattler encourages her students to ask what they can do as nurses to make policy changes for environmental health issues. As the director of the Environmental Health Education Center at the University, Sattler helps Maryland hospitals consider their ecological impact on patient health and makes efforts to integrate environmental health into the nursing field. She says, “We [nurses] need to be one of many that take responsibility for environmental health.” In order to live more sustainably on a daily basis, Sattler recommends recycling, taking advantage of carpools or public transportation, and conserving energy by turning off lights at the end of the day. Story by Tracy Gnadinger.

A systematic review to be published in the September/October 2011 issue of Nursing Economic$ suggests APRNs garner similar and in some ways better outcomes than their physician counterparts. The report, “Advanced Practice Nurse Outcomes 1990-2008: A Systematic Review,” reinforces that APRNs provide effective, high-quality patient care and play an important role in improving the quality of care in the United States. In the review, led by Robin P. Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, associate professor and chair, Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Newhouse and her co-authors* compare APRN processes and outcomes to those of physician providers. Sixty-nine studies published between 1990 and 2008 were analyzed and 28 outcomes were summarized for nurses practicing in APRN roles. The review describes patient outcomes for three groups – nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. Outcomes with similar or better grades than those of physician comparison groups include: Nurse practitioners: Glucose control, lipid control, patient satisfaction, functional status, mortality Certified nurse-midwives: Cesarean, low APGAR score, episiotomy, labor analgesia, perineal lacerations Clinical nurse specialists: Satisfaction, length of stay, cost. The results indicate that APRNs provide safe, effective, quality care and play a significant role in promoting health and health care. The report states that the results “could help address concerns about whether care provided by APRNs can safely augment the physician supply to support reform efforts aimed at expanding access to care.” Read the complete article on the Nursing Economic$ website. This article will appear in the print version of Nursing Economic$, September/October 2011 (Vol. 29, No. 5).  #  #  # *Co-authors include: Meg Johantgen, PhD, RN and Lily Fountain, MS, CNM, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Julie Stanik-Hutt, PhD, ACNP, CCNS and Kathleen M. White, PhD, RN, CNAA, BC, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing; George Zangaro, PhD, RN, Catholic University School of Nursing; Lou Heindel, DNP, CRNA; Donald M. Steinwachs, PhD and Jonathan P. Weiner, DrPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Eric B. Bass, MD, MPH, and Renee Wilson, MS, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Baltimore, Md. – The Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recently awarded $204,738 to the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) to continue funding a UMSON-led initiative to advance education and practice in the treatment of breast cancer.  Now in its sixth year, the project has progressively expanded to several disciplines, institutions, and clinical partners.  New partners, as of June 2011, are the Salisbury University nursing program and the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center of the University of Maryland Medical Center. UMSON’s existing partners are the nursing programs at Bowie State University and Coppin State University as well as the School of Pharmacy and the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland (UM) campus in Baltimore. The initiative educates nursing students, practicing nurses, and other health professionals about key aspects of breast cancer, primarily through utilization of evidence-based and expert-driven web modules.  The grant also allows UM students to attend oncology-related conferences, funds a visiting professorship at UMSON, and presents a distinguished lecture on breast cancer that is webcast to partner universities.  #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – Nancy Staggers, PhD, RN, FAAN, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) and a two-time graduate of the School, announced that she has included UMSON in her will, with a $1 million bequest to establish an endowed professorship in nursing informatics. Staggers announced her gift last week at UMSON’s 21st Annual Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics, an event that she co-chaired. Staggers, a 1985 graduate of UMSON’s master’s program and the first graduate of its PhD program in nursing informatics, joined the faculty in 2010. She has an extensive background in clinical informatics, from determining user requirements to application prototyping, system selection, large systems implementation, and enterprise system evaluation. She has held a variety of executive positions, including associate chief information officer, Information Technology Services, for the Health Sciences Center at the University of Utah; program director for the $138 million enterprise clinical information systems at Catholic Healthcare West; and director for corporate informatics at the U.S. Department of Defense. She retired from the U.S Army in 1998 after 25 years of service, and was the first formally trained informatics nurse in the Army Nurse Corps. “I would like to make a difference going forward, and this is one small way to do that,” says Staggers. “I am happy to be in a position where I can give back to the School because I received such an extraordinary education. It allowed me to be a leader in informatics when folks couldn’t spell ‘informatics.’” “We are extremely grateful for this extraordinary gift from Dr. Staggers,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of UMSON. “By supporting an endowed professorship, her gift will also help strengthen the research efforts for generations of nursing informatics students. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Students representing each of the six University of Maryland professional schools in Baltimore departed Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on June 27 to fly to Africa to participate in a summer interdisciplinary research project to study access to malaria treatment. The University of Maryland Global Health Resource Center is sponsoring this project, one that is carrying out an interdisciplinary assessment of health utilization behavior for malaria illnesses. This is part of a larger University of Maryland study to conduct surveillance of the burden of malaria disease in several different regions of Malawi. The six students will work together to determine whether adults and children get care when they have malaria. They each bring their own perspective to the project. The students include Elizabeth Duke, a second-year student from the School of Medicine who is bringing an interest in pediatrics; Jane Hannon, a nine-year nursing veteran who is in the School of Nursing family nurse practitioner program and will bring a nursing perspective to the project; Jason Hodge, a student from the School of Pharmacy who is interested in studying the delivery of pharmaceuticals to the patients; Lucy MacGabhann, a third-year student in the School of Law who will be studying the problems in Malawi from the perspective of policymakers including issues of health care delivery and discrimination; Angie Larenas, a second-year School of Social Work student who will be studying how families respond to illnesses in the household and what challenges people face in accessing health care services; and Shabnam Mazhari, a fourth-year student from the School of Dentistry who brings an interest in access to care. The students are being supervised by a team of faculty members including Miriam Laufer, MD, from the School of Medicine; Diane Hoffmann, JD, MS, from the School of Law; Jody Olsen, PhD, MSW, from the School of Social Work; and Judith Porter, DDS, MA, from the School of Dentistry. Laufer will be with the students for the first month and the other faculty members are traveling at different times to supervise them. The study will be conducted in a rural district in the mountains of Malawi. The students will learn where people go to get health care, including both the formal and informal health services, why they go there, and what are the barriers to health care including costs and transportation. The students departed from Baltimore to Atlanta and then flew to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they spent the night. The next morning, they flew to Blantyre, Malawi, where they are staying at the home of a University of Maryland physician who is conducting research. To hear from each of the six students, view the video below: UM Students Enroute to Malawi from UM news on Vimeo. Article reposted from the University of Maryland Office of External Affairs.

Confidence in Smoking Cessation Counseling Skills Key to Nurses’ Providing Effective, Evidence-Based Counseling Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death and disease in the U.S., causing 440,000 deaths per year. Research has shown that not only can health care providers increase the chances of a smoker quitting, but they are uniquely positioned to do that successfully in a hospital setting. Recognizing the important role nurses play in smoking cessation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published guidelines specific to nurses in 2005, to encourage this activity. A new study published in the current issue of American Nurse Today, finds that nurses who are less confident in their smoking cessation counseling skills are less likely to engage in specific cessation counseling activities that are supported by research. This includes referring patients to smoking cessation resources (such as the toll-free National Quitline or Web sites like the Tobacco Free Nurses Initiative), advising patients on how to handle relapse and recommending quit strategies (including over-the-counter and prescription drugs or behavioral strategies). Nurses who were more confident about these skills were more likely to provide this kind of counseling regardless of level of education, race, age or gender. The study involved a survey of 591 registered nurses (R.N.s) in 23 rural hospitals. Far more R.N.s reported that they always assessed and documented whether patients smoked (which are part of standard hospital processes), than engaged in cessation counseling activities that require more detailed knowledge of smoking cessation research such as developing individualized quit plans. Results of this study indicate that implementing strategies to improve nurses’ comfort with evidence from research studies (evidence-based practice) can increase their use of evidence in patient care. Robin Newhouse, Ph.D., R.N., assistant dean for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program and associate professor in the Department of Organizations Systems and Adult Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, is one of the lead investigators of the study, which was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Nursing Quality Research Initiative (INQRI). She led an interdisciplinary team that included: Laura Morlock, Ph.D. professor of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Kevin D. Fick, Ph.D., professor of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Cheryl R. Dennison, Ph.D., R.N., associate professor in the Department of Health Systems and Outcomes at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing; Yulan Liang, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Health and biostatistician for the Office of Research of the University of Maryland School of Nursing; and Peter Pronovost, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the departments of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, medical director for the Center for Innovation in Quality Patient Care, and director of the Quality and Safety Research Group. “In many ways, hospitals are the ideal settings for encouraging people to quit smoking,” said Newhouse. “They are surrounded by health professionals, they cannot smoke while in the hospital and if they were admitted for a condition or disease related to smoking, they may be more likely to want to quit. Since that’s the case, we need to ensure that all hospital nurses are prepared and willing to provide the best possible evidence-based smoking cessation counseling. This study shows that we still have work to do.” While roughly two-thirds (65.7 percent) of the R.N.s surveyed reported assessing patients’ tobacco use “all the time” and nearly as many (61.9 percent) reported advising tobacco users to quit “all the time,” only one in five (20 percent) said they always advise their patients who smoke to set a quit date and even fewer (16.6 percent) always advise patients that drinking alcohol is strongly associated with relapse. More than half of the nurses surveyed (50.9 percent) said they never refer patients to the Tobacco Free Nurses Initiative Web site resources. The study’s authors suggest that smoking cessation training be included in nursing education coursework and continuing education and that researchers and guideline developers package smoking cessation interventions so that they are easy to implement. They also suggest that rural hospitals work to find creative ways to educate nurses in cessation counseling, possibly through collaboratives or networks. INQRI supports interdisciplinary teams of nurse scholars and scholars from other disciplines to address the gaps in knowledge about the relationship between nursing and health care quality. It is helping to advance the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine’s landmark report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, which include fostering interprofessional collaboration and preparing and enabling nurses to lead change. By requiring research teams to include a nurse scholar and at least one scholar from another health care discipline, INQRI not only fosters interprofessional collaboration, the Initiative also ensures that diverse perspectives are brought to bear in research.  The Interdisciplinary Nursing Quality Research Initiative is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To learn more, visit www.inqri.org, or follow on Twitter at @INQRIProgram. #   #   #   Press release reposted from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Originally titled: Confidence in Smoking Cessation Counseling Skills Key to Nurses’ Providing Effective, Evidence-Based CounselingJune 23, 2011Contact: Gretchen Wright,  202-371-1999 The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, we work with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years we’ve brought experience, commitment and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those we serve. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, we expect to make a difference in your lifetime.

A team of researchers at the University of Maryland recently received a $100,000 grant from the Leonard & Helen Stulman Charitable Foundation to further disseminate a project intended to change how care is provided to residents in assisted living. The Function-Focused Care for Assisted Living project involves Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor of nursing at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD, professor of social work and director of aging research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work, and an interdisciplinary team of researchers. The grant allows the team to test a protocol that uses a train-the-trainer model to facilitate adoption of function-focused care in 20 residential living facilities in the Baltimore area. Function-focused care helps residents to do as much as possible for themselves, with assistance or coaching as needed. Activities can be as simple as putting on a shirt or feeding oneself. It also helps people engage in as much physical activity as possible. The initial study was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Nursing Quality Research Initiative. The team tested a protocol in four residential living facilities that used a function-focused care nurse who helped staff at residential living facilities learn to implement function-focused care. The nurse helped to assess the environment and policies and procedures that affect function-focused care, helped staff develop goals for function-focused care, and educated, mentored and motivated staff. Initial results of the 12-month study are promising. "There's no question that the goals of function-focused care­ - encouraging seniors to function as independently as possible and to get regular exercise -­ are important and beneficial to their health and well-being," said Resnick. "Ensuring that assisted living staff are fully trained in providing this type of care and that they provide it consistently is where the rubber meets the road. We hope that our study will provide guidance about the best ways to implement and ensure function-focused care." Read the original article: http://nursing.advanceweb.com/News/Regional-News/Baltimore-Nurse-Led-Team-Receives-Grant-to-Help-Assisted-Living-Residents.aspx

The School of Nursing graduated the largest class of nurses in the state—and possibly the largest in the nation—at its annual Convocation ceremony held May 20 at 1st Mariner Arena. The 626 graduates included 299 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 302 Master of Science, 15 Doctor of Nursing Practice, and 10 PhD graduates. Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing, welcomed graduates, family members, faculty, and friends and extended remarks to the graduates. Pamela S. Hinds, PhD, RN, FAAN, director, department of nursing research and quality outcomes, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., and a professor of pediatrics at George Washington University, delivered the Convocation Address. Her message was about three words that “describe us as nurses and the nature of our nursing practice. These three words are ‘ordinary,’ ‘extraordinary,’ and ‘miracle.’“ “‘Ordinary,’ she said, sounds like a small word, but may be the largest explanatory factor for all the good that happens when we, as nurses, give care to another person. It is through ‘ordinary’ that the other two words—‘extraordinary’ and ‘miracle’ come to be.” Hinds cited examples of how the three words related to different experiences she has had in her practice as a nurse and nurse researcher working with children and adolescents who have incurable cancers. Later in the day, School of Nursing graduates participated in the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Commencement ceremony at 1st Mariner Arena, where Jay A. Perman, MD, president of UMB, delivered the Commencement address. Linda H. Aiken, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRNC, Claire M. Fagin Leadership Professor in Nursing, professor of sociology, and director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania, received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree. Click here for the Convocation 2011 slideshow!

The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) continues its commitment to developing an excellent post-baccalaureate/post-clinical nurse leader-to-DNP program that integrates the knowledge and skills required for the health care workforce of the future. We are excited about this new venture and are working to address the numerous details required to assure a smooth and successful transition. The DNP Transition Task Force continues to develop the curriculum and the criteria for admission. Updates on our progress will be posted at this location on the UMSON website as we move toward a program implementation date, targeted for 2014. A substantive update will be posted September 2012. * * * * * * * * THE ISSUE The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is responding to calls from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and national nursing organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty to shift the academic preparation of advanced practice nurses from the master’s to the doctoral level. The Institute of Medicine has called to double the overall number of nurses with doctorates. WHAT  The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is comparable to practice doctorates in other health professions, e.g., PharmD, DDS, DPT, and MD. The proposed DNP program will incorporate the strong theoretical and clinical components of current advanced practice programs, but will be enhanced to meet the broad demands of health care reform, provide leadership in translating research into practice, and improve patient outcomes in an increasingly complex delivery system. WHY The increasing complexity of the nation's health care environment requires that advanced practice nurses develop expanded competencies to deliver patient care based on the latest scientific evidence, use emerging technology and information systems to improve efficacy and evaluate outcomes, and implement quality and safety initiatives in small practices and across large health systems. WHEN Transition to the DNP degree is well on the way to meeting the national goal of 2015. As our implementation plan is developed, we will post more details on our website.  WHO  UMSON is currently in the process of developing a post-BSN/Entry Level to DNP degree for our six advanced practice nursing specialty areas – adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist; adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner; family nurse practitioner; nurse anesthesia; pediatric nurse practitioner; and psychiatric mental health nursing-family. CURRENT/CONTINUING PROGRAMS UMSON will continue to offer master’s degree specialties in community health, nursing informatics, and health services leadership and management. Entry-level BSN and Master of Science for Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNL) degree programs will continue as in the past. The post-master’s DNP program will continue to be offered for advanced practice nurses in all specialty areas. #  #  #

Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing is Just a Click Away Baltimore, Md. – Beginning in fall 2001, the University of Maryland School of Nursing will launch the latest in a series of technology-based educational programs designed to promote professional development and advance career opportunities for nurses. The new RN-BSN On-Line option will put working nurses directly in touch with the requisite coursework, lecture presentations, class discussions and research materials they need to earn a baccalaureate degree without ever leaving home. Among the first exclusively Internet-based programs of its kind, the RN-BSN On-Line option offers flexibility and accessibility for professional nurses seeking to advance their education and enrich their work lives. "The fast-paced, demanding world in which we live requires us to make learning available anytime, anywhere," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. "This new program will certainly meet that need, particularly for nurses who must balance work and home responsibilities, and those living in geographically remote areas." School of Nursing faculty will utilize the instructional strategies and innovative applications of content best suited for on-line learning. Students will participate in on-line discussions, view multi-media presentations and lectures, explore course-related Internet sites, collaborate with classmates on group projects and avail themselves of on-line library resources. According to Mary Etta Mills, ScD, RN, Director of Professional and Distributive Studies at the School, "Clinical experiences will be coordinated by faculty and will take place in the student's home community." To enroll in the program, students must have earned 89 prerequisite credits from any regionally accredited college or university, hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing, and be currently licensed as a registered nurse. The last 31 of the 120 credits required to complete the BSN are taken on-line. To learn more about the RN-BSN On-Line option, call 1-866-NURSE-UM or visit the School's Web site at http://nursing.umaryland.edu.

Read the article on the University of Maryland, Baltimore website (link no longer available).

Baltimore, Md. -- The faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the University of Maryland School of Nursing offer heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer and Ms. Hilda Mae Snoops. He was a long-time friend of our School and the nursing profession. We appreciated his kind heart, his willingness to serve, and his understanding of the true meaning of health care. Governor Schaefer will be sorely missed. Gov. William Donald Schaefer soliciting support for the Hilda Mae Snoops Memorial Scholarship Fund. (circa 2000) Gov. Schaefer endowed the scholarship in 1999 at the School of Nursing, in honor of Ms. Snoops, his long-time friend and companion, who was a nurse.

Baltimore, Md. – The 2012 edition of U.S.News & World Report “America’s Best Graduate Schools” placed four of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) master’s specialties among the nation’s top 10. The Health Services Leadership and Management specialty was ranked #3; Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, #7; Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, #8; and Family Nurse Practitioner, #9.  UMSON’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner master’s specialty received a #15 ranking.  Out of 467 nursing schools that were surveyed and ranked by nursing school deans, other administrators, and/or faculty at accredited degree programs, UMSON received an overall score of 4.2 out of a possible, 5.0, placing it at #11 nationally. UMSON shares this spot with three other nursing schools. “These rankings are a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and administration, as well as the support we receive from alumni, donors, and friends,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of UMSON.  “It is a tribute to our community and it is gratifying to achieve this national recognition.” #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation.  Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – More than 50 University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty, staff, and students traveled to Annapolis in late February to meet with legislators and encourage them to support funding for Loan Assistance Repayment Programs and the budget request for the University. At the annual Advocacy Day, legislators were reminded that UMSON provides more than 40 percent of Maryland’s professional nurse workforce and contributes health care services for underserved communities valued at $5 million annually. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean and professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing, was recently re-elected to a two-year term as treasurer of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Board of Directors. Each member of the 11-person governing Board represents an AACN member institution. AACN serves the public interest by setting standards, providing resources, and developing the leadership capacity of member schools to advance nursing education, research, and practice. It has standing committees on Government Affairs, Membership, Programs, and other areas of AACN operation;, maintains tasks forces on such professional concerns as faculty development; and sponsors interest groups in six areas of nursing education, practice, and scholarship. “I am honored to once again serve as a member of this prestigious Board – a group that makes major decisions affecting both nursing education and the profession of nursing,” said Dean Allan.          #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – Vanessa Fahie, PhD, RN, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), received the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Outstanding Faculty/Staff Diversity Award at ceremonies held February 4 at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Vic Carter, anchor, WJZ-TV “Eyewitness News,” served as guest speaker for the annual event, which commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and recognizes UMB faculty and students who have played a leadership role or been an integral part of the diversity of the campus. The recipients serve as models of the ideals epitomized by the life and work of Dr. King.   During her 16 years at UMSON, Dr. Fahie devoted a significant amount time to developing 21 programs for individuals from educationally and environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds that are under-represented in the health care work force. She has garnered more than $3 million in funded projects targeting disadvantaged middle and high school students, as well as graduate nursing students in Baltimore City, Baltimore and Prince George’s counties, and the Eastern Shore. Prior to Dr. Fahie’s work with the Maryland State Department of Education, less than 10 percent of the high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds were enrolled in college preparatory courses. Now 50 percent take such courses and 80 percent are applying to college. Collaborating with Morgan State University, she was able to offer a residential weekend college readiness program to high school sophomores. Her commitment to the Adventures in Science Program, which allows city youths between 8 and 15 to become excited about science by exploring scientific topics, has seen her devote Saturdays for eight weeks every fall and spring for 16 years. “Dr. Fahie not only brings glory to, but also challenges all of us to engage in efforts that contribute to making ethnic minorities equal participants in the provision and receipt of culturally competent quality health care,” said Sandra Picot, PhD, RN, CLNC, FAAN, FSGA, associate professor at UMSON, who nominated Dr. Fahie for the award. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing is proud to announce that Robin P. Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, associate professor and assistant dean for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, was among the 15 members appointed to the Methodology Committee of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) by Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro, head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Newhouse was the only nurse selected for the newly-formed committee. “The Methodology Committee has the responsibility of helping PCORI develop and update methodological standards and guidance for comparative clinical effectiveness research,” said Dodaro. “The men and women named to the committee bring impressive credentials and experience to this important task.” The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act authorized PCORI as a non-profit corporation to assist patients, clinicians, purchasers, and policymakers in making informed health decisions by providing quality, relevant evidence on how best to prevent, diagnose, treat, and monitor diseases and other health conditions. The Act directs the Comptroller General to appoint up to 15 members to PCORI’s Methodology Committee.  In addition to the 15 appointed members, the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Director of the National Institutes of Health, or their designees, will also serve on the committee. “I am honored to be appointed to the PCORI Methodology Committee,” said Newhouse. “As a scientist and a nurse, I can contribute to the development of methodological standards that will inform interventions and processes and improve health care outcomes.” #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Nancy Staggers, PhD, RN, FAAN Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) recently welcomed renowned nurse informatician and alumna Nancy Staggers, PhD ’92, MS ‘85, RN, FAAN, to its faculty ranks. Staggers has an extensive background in clinical informatics, from determining user requirements to application prototyping, system selection, large systems implementation, and enterprise system evaluation. She’s held a variety of executive positions, including Associate Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services for the Health Sciences Center, University of Utah; Program Director for the $138 million enterprise clinical information systems at Catholic Healthcare West; and Director for Corporate Informatics, U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).  During her career with the DOD, Staggers led the program to select and manage an enterprise inpatient clinical information system, now installed in Army, Navy, and Air Force hospitals worldwide.    Staggers’ national leadership includes chairing the American Nurses Association task force to rewrite the scope and practice for U.S. nursing informatics in 2001 and 2008. She is currently co-chair for a Heath Information Management and Systems Society Usability task force to develop a whitepaper on organizations’ adoption of usability principles. She was co-editor for the journalComputers, Informatics, Nursing for 10 years. In her last position, Staggers was Nursing Informatics Program Director at the University of Utah where she taught systems implementation, project management, and human-computer interaction. Her area of research is human-computer interaction and interface design in health care applications.  She has completed studies related to the optimal design of clinical systems applications for nurses; her most recent work relates to nursing handoffs. Staggers spent 25 years in the U.S. Army and was the first formally trained informatics nurse in the Army Nurse Corps.  In addition, she was the first PhD graduate in nursing informatics from UMSON. “I’m very pleased to be returning to the School of Nursing, now as a member of the faculty,” says Staggers. “I am honored to be a small part of the School’s Nursing Informatics specialty and delighted that it continues to be known as a premier program in the U.S.” #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is proud to announce that Robin Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CNOR, assistant dean for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and her colleagues Dawn Mueller-Burke, PhD, RN, assistant professor, and Barbara Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate dean for research, received the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Innovations in Professional Nursing Award in the Academic Health Science Centers category. The award recognizes the work of AACN member schools to re-envision traditional models for nursing education and lead programmatic change.  Newhouse and Dean Janet Allan accepted the award and a $1,000 cash prize on behalf of UMSON at AACN’s fall meeting. UMSON received the award for using an innovative approach involving faculty and community stakeholders to enhance evidence-based practice (EBP) student learning outcomes throughout the undergraduate and graduate curriculums. Faculty members who teach in undergraduate and graduate courses that incorporate EBP content participated in the review and the revision of courses. Subsequent formative and summative evaluation from students demonstrated improvements. In addition, Newhouse; Kathryn Montgomery, PhD, RN, associate dean for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives; Karen Johnson, PhD, RN, assistant professor; Lyn Murphy, PhD, MBA, RN, assistant professor; and Kristin Seidl, PhD, RN, assistant professor, developed a 12-credit graduate level EBP Certificate to meet the needs for advanced EBP leadership within health care institutions. The EBP Certificate courses will be offered for the first time in the spring 2011 semester. #  #  # The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally.  Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

WHAT: “Environmental Excellence in Health Care: A Showcase of Best Practices ,” will bring together regional and national health care professionals, environmental industry experts, and educators to showcase best practices for environmentally preferable purchasing, environmental best practices in the operating room, green design and construction, energy conservation, management of hazardous pharmaceuticals, and procurement, and service of sustainable foods. During the conference (8:45 a.m.), four Maryland hospitals that have shown leadership in advancing sustainability in a particular area of their operations will receive Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment Trailblazer Awards. One hospital saved $132,000 in electrical costs per year by switching to LED lamps; another hospital collected more than three-and-a-half tons of hazardous pharmaceutical waste for proper disposal. WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010 7:30 a.m. -4 p.m. WHERE: University of Maryland School of Nursing 655 W. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201 (Click on conference schedule to view schedule of breakout sessions.)http://nursing.umaryland.edu/events/environmental/november/schedule.htm

WHAT: A free seminar, “Advocacy and Empowerment: A Training Seminar for All Nurses and Nursing Students,” will provide insights into policy considerations involved in the new health care law, how these are being dealt with by lawmakers, and how nurses can be effective in helping to shape a system that can deliver on the broad access and best outcomes for patients. The event, co-hosted by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and by the Maryland Nurses Association, is being held at Bowie State University, a central location that is easily accessible to nurses and nursing students. The half-day program includes a panel of key lawmakers, an overview on the recent Institute of Medicine report on the future of nursing, and presentations to strengthen nursing advocacy and give nurses a window into the thinking of key policymakers. WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010; 1-4:30 p.m. WHERE: Bowie State University, Center for Learning and Technology 14000 Jericho Park Rd., Room 102Bowie, MD 20175 WHO: U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, JD, keynote speaker; Del. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam; Del. James Hubbard; Frances Phillips, MHSA, RN, deputy secretary for public health, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH); Wendy Kronmiller, JD, assistant secretary for regulatory boards, DHMH; Ann Mech, JD, RN, assistant professor and coordinator, legal affairs, University of Maryland School of Nursing; and Andrea Brassard, DNSc, MPH, RN, ANP, strategic policy advisor, Center to Champion Nursing in America. CONTACT: Jillian Aldebron, 410-706-7253 or 443-845-9852

Baltimore, Md. — On Oct. 5, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued the conclusions of its two-year assessment of the nursing profession, with recommendations for changes needed to best harness the expertise of nurses in a reformed health care system. The following is the statement by Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN on this landmark release. “The IOM report on the future of nursing marks a new dawn for a profession instrumental to the nation’s wellbeing, but constrained by institutional and regulatory bonds that limit its ability to perform to the full measure of its potential. The IOM’s call to unleash the power of nursing is especially welcome at this point in history, as we grapple with how to make good on the promise of affordable, accessible, high-quality health care for all. Advanced practice nurses have proven time and again their competence as autonomous, independent decision makers to deliver safe, effective primary care, anesthesia care, obstetric and gynecological care; to treat mental health disorders; and to stabilize those suffering from chronic diseases and keep them in the best shape possible. They are the backbone of the health care system at every level. We must put aside protectionist rhetoric in the interest of public welfare and give nurses the authority to do what they do best. Taking the IOM recommendations to heart means, among others: Eliminate collaborative agreements and physician oversight of advanced practice nurses. Compensate advanced practice nurses at the same rate as their medical colleagues under Medicare, Medicaid, and private carriers for performing the same work. Make advanced practice nurses full partners in the leadership of medical homes. Lift practice barriers that make it difficult for nurses to get patients the care they need, such as putting nurses on provider panels and giving nurses authority to admit patients to hospitals and hospices. Double the number of nurses with doctorates, raise the educational bar for entry-level nurses, and create a seamless educational ladder. “As one of the largest nursing schools in the nation, with some 1,000 students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs, we are excited about the prospects for our future graduates and our alumni, who constitute a significant share of Maryland’s nursing workforce. We are committed to using our resources to advance the implementation of the IOM’s recommendations.”

More than 500 people - the largest audience ever to attend a lecture at the School of Nursing - gathered Sept. 23 to hear nursing's pre-eminent educator and theorist present strategies that will radically reshape the way the nation's nurses are taught. Patricia Benner, PhD, RN, FAAN, offered findings and recommendations from the National Nursing Education Study, the first of its kind in more than 30 years, recently released by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It revealed a need to update the content and process for educating nurses to keep pace with advances in science, technology, and clinical practice. The study lauded nursing for strong clinical learning and for being very effective in helping students develop a sense of professional identity. However, "the classroom is in really bad shape," said Benner, director of the research project. She said Carnegie found "uneven and inadequate teaching, evidence-based literature searching and questioning weak, too much teaching of testing strategy, and almost no interdisciplinary teaching." As a result, she said, the project recommends what she called "a major shift in nursing education from abstract theoretical classroom teaching to teaching for a sense of salience." By focusing on the relevancy of the content and contextualizing it, she said, "students are absolutely engaged because they know they are rehearsing for their practice." Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School, invited the prestigious educator to deliver the 2010 Millicent Geare Edmunds Lecture, during which Benner explored the Carnegie findings and curricular changes to realize them. In welcoming her to the podium, the dean described the study as a "wake-up call" that will revitalize the approach of nursing schools to ensure their graduates are well equipped. "Funding for scientific research has been available for nursing, which has allowed us to make great strides on that front," said Dean Allan. "But few grants exist for pedagogical research, which makes us particularly grateful to Carnegie for funding this study. We clearly have some work to do." Benner said the Carnegie researchers conducted their inquiries of nursing and medicine in dialog with one another as part of an overall examination of education in several professions, including engineering and the clergy. She counseled nursing educators to pay greater heed to their students' "formation and ethical comportment." Formation refers to the methods by which a person is prepared for a particular task. To better mold nurses, she recommended the "unfolding case study" as a productive way of teaching. Benner, professor emerita at the University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing, is co-author of a book on the Carnegie report, Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical Transformation, released in December 2009. She is also the author of Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Nursing Practice. Allan said of that ground-breaking book, published 25 years ago: "It has deepened our understanding of what nursing is by giving us a way to describe it." For more information, contact Patricia Adams, 410-706-4115 or padams@son.umaryland.edu.

Magnet hospitals, while widely recognized for better patient safety and outcomes, don't provide better working conditions for nurses than non-magnet hospitals, according to a new study by the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Magnet (hospital) Recognition recognizes about 350 health care organizations in the United States and four internationally. Hospitals with this distinction are looked to as "exemplar institutions of care," say study leaders Alison Trinkoff, ScD, RN, FAAN, professor, and Meg Johantgen, PhD, MS, RN, associate professor. "We've noticed that the magnet hospital emphasis has little to do with nurse working conditions-work schedules, such as hours, and job demands," said Trinkoff. "If I work in a magnet hospital, with greater autonomy and recognition for nursing, one might think there would be better working conditions as well." The new study found that it's not necessarily the case. Trinkoff continues, "While the work and role of nursing may be improved because it is a magnet hospital, we found that consideration of nurses' work schedules is not really incorporated into the magnet hospitals. But it is something that would fit in quite nicely-to create an optimal condition for nursing." The study is published in the July/August issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration. Magnet accreditation, said Johantgen, has evolved from its original intention to retain nurses and help prevent shortages in the profession, to "an avenue to promote a hospital's appeal to both consumers and the nursing workforce." She said other studies have identified beneficial attributes of magnet hospitals that do attract nurses, such as high autonomy, decentralized organizational structure, supportive management, and self-governance. "Magnet status is one way to show that nurses in that hospital are doing well and providing excellent care, but it is difficult to document," said Johantgen. The researchers gathered data from nurses in two U.S. states. Trinkoff and Johantgen compared nurses working in magnet hospitals and those in non-magnet hospitals on many topics related to their working conditions because, they said, these studies are important to provide evidence-based information for policymakers and administrators. Although nursing shortages have diminished in certain areas because of economic downturns, employers, nursing organizations, and labor representatives should focus attention on the important issue of working conditions and designate efforts toward developing long-term solutions that will increase the appeal of nursing positions and improve nurse well-being and performance, explained the researchers. In the study, nurses were asked to report the hours they actually worked, as opposed to those they were scheduled to work. The researchers measured psychological demands, physical demands, nurse practice environment, and overall job satisfaction. Nurses who worked in magnet and non-magnet hospitals did not differ in terms of demographic characteristics including age, sex, marital status, educational level, and unit type. Whereas for race/ethnicity, the proportion of nurses of color working in magnet hospitals was significantly lower, 9 percent compared with 16 percent in non-magnet hospitals, overall there were very few differences in terms of their working conditions. For more information, contact Patricia Adams, 410-706-4115 or padams@son.umaryland.edu. Reposted from News at UMB.

Baltimore, Md. – Janice J. Hoffman, PhD, RN, was recently named Assistant Dean for the Baccalaureate Program at University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON). In this role, Hoffman will provide leadership and oversight to UMSON’s undergraduate program, which enrolls approximately 700 students.  Hoffman brings more than 30 years of diverse experience in teaching, leadership and management, and direct patient care to her new position. She has been a member of UMSON’s faculty since 2008, serving as assistant professor and vice-chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health.  In those roles, she supported faculty development and mentoring, coordinated course schedules and faculty teaching assignments, and served as a faculty member in the Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions Master’s Certificate Program. She previously taught in both the undergraduate and graduate programs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Prior to working as a nurse educator, Hoffman held a variety of clinical, educational, leadership, and administrative positions in hospitals in the Maryland-Virginia region, and in California while serving as an active duty nurse in the Navy. “I am honored to have been chosen for this vital position at one of the leading nursing schools in the nation,” says Hoffman. “In collaboration with my talented faculty colleagues, we will help maintain UMSON’s stellar reputation and continue to graduate the largest number of direct care nurses in the state annually.”           Hoffman holds a PhD from the University of Maryland School of Nursing; a Master of Science in Nursing Education from California State University, Fresno; and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) was recently awarded funding for scholarships—for the third consecutive year—from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) through the RWJF New Careers in Nursing (NCIN) Scholarship Program. Ten $10,000 scholarships will be awarded for the 2010-2011 academic year to newly admitted students in UMSON’s Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program. Award preference is given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. UMSON is one of only 12 master’s programs in the nation to receive funding for the upcoming academic year. “We are pleased that UMSON has once again received these scholarship funds, which help minimize some of the financial burden for our students,” says Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD, PMH/CNS, BC, associate professor and co-director of the CNL program. “Students are discouraged from working while enrolled in this rigorous program, so they are very grateful for the scholarship funds that can be used for tuition, books, living expenses, and child care.” Grants provided through this competitive program will build upon UMSON’s previous efforts to increase the number of students enrolled in its CNL program and to diversify its student base. This national initiative, launched in 2008 by RWJF and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, aims to help alleviate the nation’s nurse shortage by expanding the pipeline of students in accelerated nursing programs. This latest round of funding brings the total number of RWJF scholarship awards for CNL students to 38. Plans are to award five scholarships in the fall 2010 semester and five in spring 2011 semester. For more information about the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program, visitwww.newcareersinnursing.org. To learn more about UMSON’s CNL program, visitwww.nursing.umaryland.edu

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) graduated the largest class of nurses in the state – and possibly the largest in the nation – at its annual Convocation ceremony held May 21 at 1st Mariner Arena. The 645 graduates – a record number for UMSON – included 315 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 308 Master of Science, seven PhD, and 15 Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates. Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing, welcomed graduates, family members, faculty, and friends, and extended remarks to the graduates. “You begin your careers at a time when nursing presents unparalleled possibilities – no other profession offers such a diverse range of career paths and opportunities for professional advancement. Moreover, very few professions afford you the privilege of having a significant impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities as nursing does.” Frances B. Phillips, RN, MHSA, deputy secretary for public health services, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, delivered the Convocation address. In speaking about economic recovery Phillips said, “I urge you to look for the possibilities that reform brings. Look for a possible career plan reset in a direction, perhaps unexpected, where your values, skills, and interests can thrive.” Phillips closed with a quote from Conan O’Brien on the night he was fired as anchor of the Tonight Show. “’Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.’” Later in the day, School of Nursing graduates participated in the University of Maryland, Baltimore Commencement ceremony at 1st Mariner Arena, where Congressman Elijah E. Cummings delivered the Commencement address.

Baltimore, Md. – The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) recently granted its maximum first time accreditation of five years to the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s undergraduate and graduate programs following a rigorous onsite evaluation and assessment of the curricula. The three programs – all previously accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission – were the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science, and Doctor of Nursing Practice; the PhD program was reviewed separately through the University of Maryland, Baltimore Graduate School. To receive accreditation by CCNE, programs must meet quality standards in four areas: Mission and Governance; Institutional Commitment and Resources; Curriculum, Teaching-Learning Practices, and Individual Student Learning Outcomes; and Aggregate Student Performance and Faculty Accomplishments. “We are pleased that the School of Nursing earned the maximum term awarded by CCNE for initial evaluation,” says Patricia Gonce Morton, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, associate dean for academic affairs, who led the School’s evaluation team. “And, importantly, CCNE’s accreditation was given unequivocally, without a single compliance concern.” Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing joined nine other Maryland academic health institutions and historically black colleges on May 5 in signing a memorandum of understanding officially launching the Maryland Alliance to Transform the Health Professions. The Maryland Alliance—a spin-off of the Sullivan Alliance to Transform America’s Health Professions—aims to address the state’s growing need for a larger and more ethnically representative health care workforce and to provide a working model for other states also committed to expansion and diversification. Over the past 25 years, the nation’s health care workforce has not kept pace with the increasing size and diversity of its population, which has contributed to disparities of health status and access to care among certain under-represented groups. The goal of the Sullivan Alliance is to transform the health professions so as to help eliminate gaps in health status and expand access to care. “Thirty-seven percent (653) of our current student enrollment consists of under-represented minorities, and 12 percent are men,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “As a member of this partnership, we are committed to increasing still further the diversity of our student population, which will in turn enhance the diversity of Maryland’s nurses and thereby improve the extent and quality of the care we provide to all our residents.” The other Maryland schools in the Alliance are Bowie State University; Coppin State University; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Morgan State University; University of Maryland, College Park School of Public Health; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; University of Maryland School of Medicine; University of Maryland School of Pharmacy; and University of Maryland Dental School. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is also a member of the partnership.

Health fair to offer free health screenings and information. WHAT: School of Nursing Advocacy Day in Annapolis Some 70 students and faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will meet with legislators to remind them that tough economic times cannot change Maryland’s aging demographic, which signals an inevitably worsening shortage of nurses, particularly in primary care and certain advanced practice specialties. Health care is one of the few sectors of the economy that is still growing, and nursing tops the list of jobs expected to increase rapidly over the next decade. Maryland needs to support the expansion of nursing education to help spur economic recovery and alleviate a nurse shortage that will progressively erode access to safe, high quality health care. While in Annapolis, UMSON faculty and students will host a free health fair for legislators and staff members that will include screenings, counseling, and advice on family and community health issues. WHEN: Wednesday, February 24, 2009 WHERE: 10 a.m. - UMSON faculty and students recognized on the floor of the General Assembly 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Students visit legislators 8 a.m.-1 p.m. – Health Fair – Lowe House Office Bldg., 6 Bladen St., Room 318

Baltimore, Md. – One of the most significant and debilitating complications associated with cancer treatment is pain—pain that sometimes lasts long after treatment ends. With funding from a five-year, $2.4 million P30 grant from the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Nursing Research, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) launched a collaborative Center for Pain Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) to conduct translational research on cancer treatment-related pain, including peripheral neuropathy and oral mucositis. The interdisciplinary Center, spearheaded by UMSON, brings together researchers from UMSON, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the Dental School, and the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. “We treat cancer with drugs and radiation to cure the disease, and yet these same treatments can cause pain in people who take them,” says Center Director Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, an associate professor at UMSON and principal investigator of the grant. “We don’t know enough about why the pain occurs in response to cancer treatment to be able to treat the pain to relieve patient suffering. This Center will help fund research aimed at eliminating cancer treatment pain.” Five pilot studies have been proposed for the Center, each of which is headed by an investigator from the interdisciplinary team. These basic and translational clinical pain studies make the most of shared resources within individual schools and departments on the UMB campus. “This is UMSON’s first P30, a Center Grant to support shared infrastructure and resources that Pain Center investigators can access to conduct their research,” says Barbara Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate dean for research at UMSON. “We are very excited about the receipt our first P30 grant and we are very proud of Dr. Dorsey and her collaborators.”

Baltimore, Md. – For the second consecutive year, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) received funding for scholarships from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) through the RWJF New Careers in Nursing (NCIN) Scholarship Program. Twenty $10,000 scholarships will be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year to newly admitted students in UMSON’s Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program. Award preference is given to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds. “We are pleased that we have once again received funding for these awards that help eliminate some of the financial burden for our students,” says Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD, PMH/CNS, BC, associate professor and co-director of UMSON’s CNL program. “These scholarships are very important since little educational funding is available for second degree master’s-entry level students.”  This national initiative, launched in 2008 by RWJF and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, aims to help alleviate the nation’s nurse shortage by expanding the pipeline of students in accelerated nursing programs. Grants provided through this competitive program will build upon UMSON’s previous efforts to increase the number of students enrolled in its accelerated nursing program and to diversify its student base. Previous RWJF scholars, now entering their third semester, have experienced a variety of clinical settings and have gained beginning knowledge of evidence-based practice, health care quality, and patient outcomes. One of those RWJF scholars will be attending the RWJF 2009 NCIN Summit this fall—a venue that provides excellent learning and networking opportunities. For more information about the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program, visit www.newcareersinnursing.org. 

Baltimore, Md. — Susan Antol, MS, RN, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been named director of the Governor’s Wellmobile Program. The program, which is operated by UMSON, was severely reduced last summer due to state budget cuts. Prior to the recent cutback, the Wellmobile Program consisted of four mobile units that traveled across the state providing primary care to underserved and uninsured citizens. It has been downsized to one van that currently serves Central Maryland. As the Program’s new director, Antol plans to find creative ways to rebuild this vital program to its former level and beyond. "The Wellmobile Program is a very successful model of nurse-run clinics that provide primary care, education, and advocacy to local underserved populations in rural and urban communities," says Antol. "I am seeking community partners with an interest in working collaboratively to obtain funding opportunities through local, state, and national initiatives, as well as community-based participatory research initiatives that can advance UMSON's education and research missions. Throughout this process, we will conduct needs assessments and utilize grant opportunities to partner with communities to create a sustainable service." Since joining UMSON in 1998, Antol has served in many capacities, including instructor in the Community Public Health Nursing program and Director of Clinical Operations, where she led UMSON’s nurse-managed initiatives, including the Wellmobile Program, the Open Gates Health Center, and school-based wellness centers. She worked with the Maryland Department of Human Resources in the development and implementation of Healthy Child Care Maryland and the statewide Covering Kids and Families initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Antol is currently completing her PhD in Public/Community Health, with a focus in health services administration and vulnerable populations, at the University of Maryland, College Park. The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,800 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Several Sites Across State to Close Baltimore, Md. — An abrupt and severe cut in funding for the Governor’s Wellmobile program will force the closure of several of the program’s sites, effective Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. These include sites in Glen Burnie, Cumberland, and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Wellmobile program funding of $570,500 for Fiscal Year 2010, appropriated by the legislature through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), was cut in half by the Maryland Board of Public Works, as of July 23, 2009. The remaining MHEC funding will support a redesigned, scaled back Wellmobile project that will aim to fulfill the program’s core mission of providing services to populations in need. The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will continue to manage the program. “This was a successful nurse-run clinic that provided primary care, education, and advocacy to local underserved populations,” said Susan Antol, MS, RN, director of the Wellmobile program and assistant professor at UMSON. “The loss of this local resource will place pressure on other local health care providers to assume care for these individuals.” Community partners, patients, and local health officers, as well as staff members whose positions have been eliminated, have been informed about the Aug. 15 closure date. Current Wellmobile patients are being referred to Federally Qualified Health Centers and other organizations to make transitions in care and services as seamless as possible. The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. — University of Maryland School of Nursing Dean Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, will be among the 120 participants posing questions to President Obama at a town hall meeting on health care at the White House tonight. “Questions to the President: Prescription for America” will be broadcast on ABC at 10 p.m. ET as a special edition of “Primetime,” moderated by Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer. “It is a tremendous honor and a tremendous opportunity to raise the awareness of both Pres. Obama and the American public to one of the fundamental challenges to achieving high-quality, low-cost health care: insufficient educational capacity in our nursing schools,” said Dr. Allan. Nurses are the single largest group of health care professionals and are critical to realizing the new mandate of disease prevention, a central precept of the nursing model of health care. Moreover, as physicians have progressively moved out of the primary care arena in favor of more lucrative specialties, nurse practitioners have stepped in to fill the gap. Yet thousands of prospective students eager to enter the nursing profession are turned away from colleges and universities each year because there are not enough teachers to educate them. Nursing educators must have advanced degrees, usually doctorates, which means more years of schooling and more college debt. What they get in return are longer hours and lower salaries than their colleagues in clinical practice. “We are facing rising demand for health care services from a rapidly aging population of baby boomers, and at the same time the nation is wisely shifting its focus to prevention rather than cure. This creates increased pressure on the nurse workforce, which in turn heightens the demand for educators,” said Dr. Allan. “We cannot safeguard the long-term health of the U.S. population, nor stop health care costs from devouring our economy unless we make a significant investment in nursing education.” The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Baltimore, Md. — Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and former director of the Governor’s Wellmobile program, has been named assistant dean for the nursing program at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville. Wiseman, who joined the faculty in 2002, is a 1993 graduate of the School of Nursing’s PhD program, where her studies focused on education policy and administration.  Prior to joining the School of Nursing, Wiseman worked as a senior staff specialist for workplace advocacy at the American Nurses Association in Washington, D.C.  The remainder of her career has been spent as a nurse educator, administrator, and staff nurse at a variety of universities and health care facilities. The School of Nursing launched an expansion of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at USG in fall 2008 to meet the increasing demand for highly skilled nurses in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region. BSN enrollment at USG now stands at 160, and is slated to nearly double within the next five years. “I am looking forward to working with the faculty and staff at USG as we move toward increasing enrollment at that campus,” says Wiseman. “The facility’s new clinical simulation labs and excellent instructors will help our students gain the skills they need to make a marked difference when they enter the workplace.  In addition, the interdisciplinary opportunities at USG prepare our students to work in more collegial and equitable patient-focused teams.” While Wiseman is looking forward to leading the nursing program at USG, she says the move is bittersweet.  “I am excited about the opportunity to expand our program at USG and I look forward to the challenges ahead,” she said. “But I will truly miss the Wellmobile teams and interaction with the clients we serve.” The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment

Greenbelt, Md.—The Governor's Wellmobile Program, a fleet of four 33-foot long vans equipped as traveling health clinics, opened its newest location March 9 at the Springhill Lake Elementary School in Greenbelt, Md. The clinic plans to offer services to uninsured members of the community from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of every month. The Wellmobile is run by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and operates on a combination of public and private funding. It uses family nurse practitioners to provide free primary health care services and social service referrals for uninsured and underinsured populations in Central Maryland, Western Maryland, and along the Eastern Shore. In 2008 alone, the program handled 7,514 patient visits, 45,084 case management and follow-up encounters, and helped hundreds of families apply for MCHP. As the recession penetrates deeper into the economy and layoffs deprive more and more families of their health coverage, the Wellmobile has become a crucial safety net for the most vulnerable. “There is a demonstrated demand for Wellmobile services in Greenbelt,” said Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, director of the Wellmobile Program and an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “Many of these families were already vulnerable before the economic downturn; stepping in now is imperative if we want to avoid disastrous consequences.” A December 2008 needs assessment revealed that nearly 40 percent of Greenbelt residents had no regular medical care due to lack of insurance, a scarcity of providers, and transportation barriers. The study, which was conducted by Bowie State University School of Nursing and the University of Maryland School of Social Work, recommended mobile health screening and support services as a solution. The Wellmobile fit the bill because it is mobile, designed to cope with the range of health-related needs encountered by low-income households, and has the multi-lingual staff that can best assist the area's diverse Spanish and French speaking populations. The Wellmobile is being introduced in Greenbelt as an integral part of the city's Backpack to Health Campaign, which uses students' backpacks as a vehicle to deliver information on health and wellness activities to their families. The new site will cater primarily to the 10,000 plus residents of the Empirian Village apartment complex in which the Springhill Lake Elementary school is located. As much as 70 percent of the children attending the school have household incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty line, which is $39,220 for a family of four. More than half of residents who responded to the assessment survey said they suffered chronic health problems. But because 68 percent of adults and 35 percent of children lack insurance, the emergency room tended to be the primary source of care. “The Wellmobile will make a significant difference in the lives of many residents,” said Christal Batey, Greenbelt's Community Resource Advocate and a driving force behind the Backpack to Health Campaign. “None of this would have been possible without the support of our community partners,” she added, acknowledging the network of educational, medical, and social service groups that are working together to offer assistance through the Wellmobile. “If you're looking for a ‘shovel-ready project,' this is it!” said Frances Phillips, deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “The Wellmobile is a wonderful model and I'd love to see 200 more of them in locations throughout Maryland.” For more information about the Governor's Wellmobile Program, contact Dr. Rebecca Wiseman, 410-706-5395

Media Advisory The Governor's Wellmobile Program, a fleet of four 33-foot long vans equipped as traveling health clinics, will open it newest location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Springhill Lake Elementary School in Greenbelt, Md., Monday, March 9. The Wellmobile is operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and operates on a combination of public and private funding. It uses family nurse practitioners to provide free primary health care services and social service referrals for uninsured and underinsured populations across Maryland. In 2008 alone, the program handled 7,514 patient visits, 45,084 case management and follow-up encounters, and helped hundreds of families apply for MCHP. As the recession penetrates deeper into the economy and layoffs deprive more and more families of their health coverage, the Wellmobile has become a crucial safety net for the most vulnerable. The new Greenbelt site will cater primarily to the 10,000 residents of the Empirian Village apartment complex, 40 percent of whom are Spanish speaking. What: Governor's Wellmobile Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony When:9 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2009 Where: Springhill Lake Elementary School 6060 Springhill DriveGreenbelt, MD 20770 Participants: Judith Davis, Mayor, Greenbelt Linda Sherwood, Principal, Springhill Lake Elementary Dominique Bivins, Parent Liaison, Springhill Lake ElementaryChristal Batey, Greenbelt Community Resource AdvocateDr. Frances Phillips, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health & Mental HygieneDr. Rebecca Wiseman, Director, Governor's Wellmobile ProgramUniversity of Maryland School of Nursing

Baltimore, Md.—The Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) awarded Barbara Smith, PhD, RN, FACSM, FAAN, professor and associate dean for research at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, it highest honor – Researcher of the Year – at its annual conference held recently in Baltimore. The award recognizes the lifetime achievements of an individual whose established program of research has enhanced the science and practice of nursing in the Southern region of the United States. Smith, an exercise physiologist, has spent much of her career studying the effects of exercise as an intervention for various patient populations. For many years, her research focused on the effects of aerobic exercise on cardiac patients. She later expanded her work to include other at-risk populations such as patients with diabetes, breast cancer, HIV, Parkinson's disease, and other illnesses. More recently she has worked to improve the quality of life of people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. “Although we had a large number of outstanding applications for this year's award, which speaks to the excellence and talent of our members, our reviewers were extremely impressed by Dr. Smith's sustained work in the important areas of cardiovascular risk and HIV,” said Cindy L. Munro, PhD, RN, ANP, FAAN, chair, SNRS Awards Committee

Baltimore, Md.—More than 40 students and faculty from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) traveled to Annapolis Wednesday, Feb. 25, to meet with legislators and remind them that in these tough economic times, health care is the only sector of the economy that is still growing and adding jobs.  “Maryland needs to support expanding the capacity of nursing programs to enroll more students. This would have a twofold advantage of reinvigorating the economy and ensuring access to safe, high quality health care,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. Many of the legislators the students met with did not need much convincing. Del. Karen Montgomery (Dist. 14, Montgomery Co.) encouraged students to stay in Maryland to work after graduating. “We need nurses to help alleviate the shortage our state is facing,” said Del. Montgomery. She also stressed the need for geriatric nurses to provide health care for the aging population. Students were recognized on the floor of the House of Delegates, and several students had the opportunity to meet with Speaker of the House Mike Busch. The Governor's Wellmobile, operated by the School of Nursing, also traveled to Annapolis and offered free blood pressure checks, body mass index screenings, and preventive health information. The Wellmobile serves uninsured and underinsured people throughout the state and functions as an educational site for UMSON students, who receive community nursing experience while assisting patients. Demand for the Wellmobile has surged as more and more Marylanders have lost insurance coverage along with their jobs.

Media Advisory Governor's Wellmobile will offer free health screenings. What: School of Nursing Day in Annapolis Some 40 students and faculty from the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will meet with legislators to remind them that in these tough economic times, health care is the only sector of the economy that is still growing and adding jobs. Maryland needs to support the expansion of nursing education capacity to help jumpstart the economy and alleviate the worsening nurse shortage that threatens access to safe, high quality health care. The Governor's Wellmobile, operated by the School of Nursing, will provide free blood pressure checks, body mass index screenings, and preventive health information. Demand for the Wellmobile has surged as more and more Marylanders have lost insurance coverage along with their jobs. When: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Where: Students and faculty will meet at the University of Maryland, Baltimore's (UMB) Annapolis office, 44 West Street, at 8 a.m. and leave for meetings with legislators from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 10 a.m., students will be recognized from the floor of the Senate and House chambers. Reporters can interview students at the UMB office, the State House, and/or choose a group to travel with. The Wellmobile will be parked on College Ave., near the intersection of Rowe Blvd. , next to the Lowe House of Delegates Office Building from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Governor's Wellmobile Program serves uninsured and underinsured people throughout the state. It also functions as an educational site for UMSON students who receive community nursing experience while assisting patients. The fleet of four mobile clinics received more than 7,500 patient visits, saving the state $2.7 million in averted emergency room fees in FY08

Baltimore, Md.—The University of Maryland School of Nursing has received a pledge of $1 million from Mary Catherine Bunting, a 1972 graduate of the School's Master of Science program. The donation will establish the Mary Catherine Bunting Scholarship, designated for Maryland residents enrolled in the School's Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program. The CNL program allows people with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing discipline to obtain a master's degree in nursing in 16 months. Graduates are eligible to take the Registered Nurse (RN) licensure examination, qualifying them for positions in hospitals and health care facilities across the state. “CNL students pay more than $18,000 a year in tuition and fees, and the extremely rigorous course load makes it impossible for them to work—even part-time—while they are in the program,” says Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD, PMHCNS, BC, CNL, associate professor and co-director of the CNL program. “This gift will provide a source of financial support for these highly qualified students who, after licensure, will practice nursing in diverse settings in the Baltimore area and throughout the state.” Ms. Bunting is a retired nurse practitioner and teacher, which has given her a keen appreciation for the value of highly-educated nurses. “I am concerned about the shortage of nurses facing our state,” says Ms. Bunting. “We need to find creative ways, such as the CNL program, to attract talented individuals and make it possible for them to pursue this vital profession.” “Ms. Bunting's generosity opens the door to a nursing career for those who could not otherwise afford it,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “This gift presents a wonderful opportunity for our students while benefitting the entire state by bolstering the professional nurse workforce.”

Governor O'Malley to Speak at Event What: In response to the increasing demand for highly skilled nurses in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region, the University of Maryland School of Nursing expanded its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville this fall. To celebrate, the School of Nursing and USG are co-hosting a special event, where Gov. Martin O'Malley, University System of Maryland Chancellor William Kirwan, Sen. Robert Garagiola (Dist. 15), and others are scheduled to speak. The School of Nursing has experienced steady growth in enrollment at USG since it started offering courses at that location in 2000. Realizing the need to alleviate the state's shortage of nurses and nursing faculty, Governor O'Malley allocated $3.4 million for the School of Nursing in the 2009 budget, which is being used primarily to increase undergraduate student enrollment at USG. When: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 – 5 to 6:30 p.m. (Program begins at 5:30 p.m.) Where: Universities at Shady GroveCamille Kendall Academic Center9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 Contact: Patricia Adams – 410-706-4115(w); 410-458-9332(c)Joe Bucci – 301-738-6345

Baltimore, Md. - For the second consecutive year, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) has awarded the University of Maryland School of Nursing a ProjectRN Scholarship to assist a student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. A collaborative effort between CareFirst and the School of Nursing, ProjectRN is aimed at helping to tackle Maryland's shortage of nurses by finding ways to address the lack of nursing faculty to educate new nurses. The scholarship program helps students to complete their graduate degree and qualify them for teaching in a nursing program within two years by providing them with financial support. This year's scholarship recipient, DNP student Marian Grant, MSN, will receive $80,000 over two years – a $40,000 stipend each year – for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Like all funded scholars in the program, Grant will be required to commit to four years of full-time employment as a faculty member in a nursing education program in Maryland, the District of Columbia, or Northern Virginia – the region in which CareFirst has committed $1 million to ProjectRN. Grant, for whom nursing is a second career, worked as an advertising executive for more than 20 years before entering the nursing profession. “This scholarship will allow me to pursue a goal I have had as a nurse – to become a nurse educator so I can teach people about palliative care,” she says. “Nursing faculty members are in great demand in colleges and universities as the nurse shortage worsens,” says Robin Newhouse, PhD, RN, CNAA, BC, CNOR, associate professor and director of the School of Nursing's DNP program. “Marian Grant is a nurse practitioner with expertise in palliative care. As a faculty member, she will have a significant impact on students at both undergraduate and graduate levels when she completes the DNP program. Scholarship opportunities such as ProjectRN are exactly what DNP students need to help close the gap on the nursing faculty shortage.” For more information about the ProjectRN Scholarship, call 410-706-7522. To learn more about the School of Nursing's Doctor of Nursing Practice program, visithttp://nursing.umaryland.edu/academic-programs/grad/doctoral-degree/dnp

Baltimore, Md. — The University of Maryland School of Nursing is among the first 58 nursing schools in the nation to receive funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) through the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program. The RWJF program is aimed at strengthening the nation's pipeline of new nurses by providing scholarships to students enrolling in fast-track or accelerated nursing degree programs. These programs offer the most efficient route to licensure as a registered nurse for adults who have already completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree in a discipline other than nursing. The School of Nursing was awarded $80,000 for eight $10,000 scholarships for students admitted to the School's Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program for the spring 2009 semester. The 16- to 23-month CNL program allows students with a bachelor's (or higher) degree in a non-nursing discipline to earn a master's degree and be eligible to sit for the examination for licensure as a registered nurse. Award preference will be given to students from groups who are underrepresented in nursing or who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. “This groundbreaking national initiative, launched by RWJF and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, couldn't have come at a better time,” says Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD, PMH/CNS, BC, associate professor and co-director of the School's CNL program. “Bringing more nurses into the profession at the baccalaureate and master's degree levels will help decrease both the nurse and nursing faculty shortages.” For more information about the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program, visitwww.newcareersinnursing.org. To learn more about the School of Nursing's Clinical Nurse Leader program, visit nursing.umaryland.edu.

Baltimore, Md.—The University of Maryland School of Nursing's Living History Museum is one of more than 700 museums, libraries, and archives to receive the Institute of Museum and Library Services' (IMLS) Connecting to Collections Bookshelf. The contents of the Bookshelf include an essential set of books, online resources, and a user's guide that can greatly affect the ability of small libraries and museums to care for their collections. “The Bookshelf provides museums, libraries, and archives essential instructions on how to rescue treasures of yesteryear that they hold in trust,” said Dr. Anne-Imelda Radice, director of IMLS. The Bookshelf addresses topics including the philosophy and ethics of collecting, collections management and planning, emergency preparedness, and culturally specific conservation issues. It focuses on collections typically found in art or history museums and libraries' special collections, with an added selection of texts for living collections. “Having an excellent resource like the Connection Collections Bookshelf will enable our museum to better care for the heritage of Maryland's nurses by providing a broad range of references that address the many situations faced in a small museum environment,” said Jennifer Ruffner, curator of the School of Nursing's museum. The IMLS Bookshelf was made possible by a cooperative agreement with the American Association for State and Local History with support from the Getty Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation, and the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. The School of Nursing's Living History Museum, the only nursing museum in the state of Maryland, allows visitors to discover the story of American nursing through the experiences of University of Maryland nurses from 1889 to present. It also provides a venue for nursing students to learn about the rich heritage of the nursing profession and witness the pride of its practitioners. For more information, call 410-706-2822, or visit nursing.umaryland.edu.

Baltimore, Md. — Substance abuse can have devastating consequences for individuals, families, and society. Yet despite years of research on chemical addiction, a central question remains: why do some people abuse drugs and alcohol and others do not? Lynn Oswald, PhD, RN, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has received a $3 million, five-year grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to study brain mechanisms that may play a critical role in these behaviors. “We know from epidemiological research that a person's risk for substance abuse may be influenced by inherited characteristics,” says Oswald. “For example, the incidence of alcohol abuse tends to be higher in individuals with a family history of alcoholism than in those without that history. Although it is not clear why, people with impulsive personality traits are also more likely to use drugs and have higher rates of substance abuse than the general population. Similarly, there is evidence that prolonged or severe stress may lead some people to resort to alcohol or drugs.” Groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience over the past decade have led to growing awareness that, like other organs in our body, brain function can be modified by internal and external events. “Variations in brain function may help to explain differences in risk for a number of psychiatric disorders, says Oswald. “However, our understanding of these processes is still limited and human studies are lacking.” Along with her investigative team, which includes collaborators from the School of Nursing, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Oswald will be examining whether factors such as chronic stress and impulsivity affect brain dopamine systems in ways that could increase a person's risk for drug abuse. The study will use psychological and behavioral assessments, as well as sophisticated brain imaging, to answer these questions. According to Oswald, better understanding of such mechanisms is important for the development of new prevention and treatment strategies for substance abuse and possibly other conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette's syndrome, which may also involve brain dopamine. The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,600 students in its baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. —The University of Maryland School of Nursing will be the first nursing school in the state of Maryland to offer a combined Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (ANP-GNP) master's program, beginning in fall 2008. This nursing specialty program addresses current demographic trends by preparing more advanced practice nurses with specialized knowledge in the care of older adults across multiple health care settings, and was developed in response to a recommendation by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The new program comes at a time when our nation's aging population is rapidly increasing. According to the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the number of Americans ages 85 and older is expected to increase by 40 percent between now and 2015, and those ages 65 and older will double to 71.5 million by 2026. “People are living longer and patients have more complex health issues than those of the past,” said Jane Kapustin, PhD, RN, CRNP, co-director of the ANP-GNP program and assistant dean for graduate studies at the School of Nursing. “Combining these nursing specialty programs helps equip students with the necessary skills to care for our aging population. It also expands the scope of practice for gerontological nurse practitioners, who traditionally could only care for people over the age of 55. All students graduating from this new program will be able to provide care for patients ages 16 and up.” ANP-GNP students are prepared as advanced practice nurses in adult and gerontology care with expertise in the diagnosis and management of common acute illnesses, disease prevention, and management of stable chronic illnesses across the lifespan. The curriculum emphasizes course work, case study analysis, and clinical experiences. Students work with faculty, nurse practitioners, and physician preceptors in a variety of clinical practicum sites. Graduates of the program are employed in a variety of primary care and specialty care settings ranging from offices and clinics to assisted living facilities, long-term care facilities, and home health services. For more information about the University of Maryland School of Nursing's ANP-GNP program, call 410-706-3890 or e-mail: ANP-GNP@son.umaryland.edu

Baltimore, Md.—In response to the increasing demand for highly skilled nurses in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region, the University of Maryland School of Nursing has announced plans to expand its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, Md., beginning in fall 2008. The School of Nursing has experienced steady growth in enrollment at Shady Grove since it started offering courses at that location in 2000. Those initial programs – the complete undergraduate program, the RN to BSN program, and a variety of graduate courses – are now ready for further development. “We will immediately increase BSN enrollment, enroll BSN students in both the fall and spring semesters, offer RNs the opportunity to complete a BSN degree, consistently offer key graduate courses, and begin interviewing faculty for didactic and clinical courses,” said Karen Clark, PhD, RN, CCRN, interim assistant dean for the USG nursing program. “This commitment provides the mechanism to double our current enrollment.” Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has worked hard to convince lawmakers that investing in nursing education is the most effective way to alleviate the state's increasingly critical nurse shortage, which is driven by a lack of faculty to teach the many nursing school applicants clambering to enter the nursing profession. Gov. Martin O'Malley allocated $3.4 million for the School of Nursing in the 2009 budget, which will be used to expand undergraduate student enrollment at USG, as well as add more graduate nursing student slots at the School's Baltimore campus. “We are excited to be growing our enrollment in response to the need for highly skilled and competent nurses in our community and the state,” said Dean Allan. “We are also pleased that the School of Nursing is able to increase its presence at the Universities at Shady Grove, a rich academic environment located near the expanding Baltimore-Washington, D.C. biotech corridor and several health systems where nurses are playing increasingly vital roles.” For more information about nursing programs at Shady Grove, contact Kathie Dever, academic coordinator, 301-738-6047, or kdever@son.umaryland.edu. For information about all nursing programs offered by the University of Maryland School of Nursing, visit nursing.umaryland.edu.

For Immediate Release:May 29, 2008 Contact: Patricia Adams 410.706.4115 padams@son.umaryland.edu Annapolis, Md.—The Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) has awarded three institutions grants totaling $2.8 million over five years as part of the third round of funding in the Competitive Institutional Grants component of the Nurse Support Program II (NSP II). HSCRC has contracted with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to administer the Nurse Support Program II. Funding for NSP II is being provided through a 0.1% increase to the rate structure of all hospitals since July 2005 to promote the program's goal of increasing the number of bedside nurses in Maryland hospitals by expanding the capacity of Maryland's nursing education programs. This innovative program is a unique venture that teams hospitals and colleges to create partnerships to address the critical shortage of nurses. The projected outcomes of this third round of institutional grants expect to increase new RNs by 80, and new Master's and Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates (who will be eligible to become faculty) by 236. The 16 programs funded in the first two years of NSP II are expected to produce 1,941 new RNs, and 656 new graduates eligible to become faculty. “The Health Services Cost Review Commission is to be commended for creating this very effective vehicle to address the nursing shortage,” Higher Education Secretary, James E. Lyons, Sr., said. “MHEC is pleased to be a partner by administering the NSP II Program. Governor O'Malley is progressively pursuing measures to address the critical need for more nurses in our State. MHEC is proud to be part of the solution.” Two of the three projects were awarded to the University of Maryland School of Nursing: A Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Using Online and Blended Teaching Methods: An Initiative to Increase Maryland's Nursing Faculty Nursing Faculty for Maryland Through the NSP II Program, awards are being made to two types of initiatives, the Competitive Institutional Grants, as detailed above, and Statewide Initiatives. Competitive Institutional Grants require formal proposals in response to a Request for Applications, and include initiatives to expand Maryland's nursing capacity through hospital and nursing school collaboration, increase Maryland nursing faculty, increase student retention, and increase the pipeline for nursing faculty. Statewide Initiatives provide funding for nursing scholarships and fellowships described below: Graduate Nursing Scholarship and Living Expenses Grants for students to complete the graduate education necessary to become nursing faculty at Maryland institutions of higher education. Fellowships for new nursing faculty hired by Maryland institutions to expand enrollments in their nursing programs. Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program for students enrolled in nursing programs at Maryland institutions. Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program available to Maryland nursing faculty. “The faculty shortage continues to limit the needed expansion of nursing programs in Maryland,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “The funding of these two University of Maryland School of Nursing projects will support the education of new faculty for the state.”

Seat Pleasant, Md. — The Governor's Wellmobile Program, a fleet of four 33-foot long vans equipped as traveling health clinics, opened it newest location May 1 at the John E. Feggans Center in Seat Pleasant, Md. The clinic plans to offer services to uninsured members of the community from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the first Thursday of every month initially, and eventually increase to twice monthly visits. “With one in five residents uninsured and geographically cut off from surrounding population centers by the beltway on one side and the Anacostia on the other, Seat Pleasant is in urgent need of basic prevention, education, and primary health care,” said. Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, Wellmobile Program director and assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “But the main reason we are here is that the community has worked long and hard to make it happen.” The Governor's Wellmobile Program has been operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing since 1994 through a combination of state and private funding. It uses family nurse practitioners and graduate-level nursing students to provide primary health care services to underserved and uninsured residents of Central Maryland, Western Maryland, and along Maryland's Eastern Shore. In 2007 alone, the program saw more than 7,000 patients and saved the state over $2.7 million in averted emergency room fees. The idea of extending Wellmobile services to Seat Pleasant grew out of the City of Seat Pleasant-University of Maryland Health Partnership. The Partnership, launched in 1999 with the University's Department of Public and Community Health and since expanded to other academic units, focuses on providing health-related services for residents while creating learning and research opportunities for students and faculty. “It's tragic that in this city of 5,000 there is not a single physician,” said Dr. Jerrold Greenberg, professor emeritus of the University of Maryland School of Public Health, and a driving force behind the project. “Barriers to health care often result in people not getting the care they need. By eliminating the barriers of cost and the need to travel, it is expected that more people in Seat Pleasant will obtain the services they so desperately need and deserve.” The Wellmobile will function as the hub of a community partnership that takes a holistic approach to health and can offer a broad array of coordinated resources for Seat Pleasant residents through collaboration among various government and non-profit entities. For example, Wellmobile representatives will work with the Prince George's County Health Department to offer HIV/STD testing—a priority given the city's large adolescent population. Additional services will be provided in conjunction with the School of Public Health, the School of Nursing, the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and other entities. “This is a major accomplishment for our city considering the challenges we are facing in Prince George's County,” said Seat Pleasant Mayor Eugene W. Grant. “The Wellmobile will improve the overall health of our community and reduce their dependence on the hospital emergency room as a provider of last resort.” For more information about the Wellmobile Program, contact Dr. Rebecca Wiseman, 410-706-5395

Baltimore, Md. — The University of Maryland School of Nursing has named Laurette Hankins as Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations. As the School of Nursing's chief fundraising officer, Hankins will be responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive development program, including capital campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, and annual gifts. She will also oversee the alumni relations program for the School's 16,000 alumni. A native of Annapolis, Md., and a graduate of Duke University, Hankins has an extensive background in development. She most recently served for 5-1/2 years as Director of Development for the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins Medicine, raising more than $150 million, doubling the amount raised in the previous five-year period. Hankins spent the remainder of her 22-year development career at Johns Hopkins' Peabody Institute, Fordham University, The Metropolitan Opera, Severn School, and Towson University. “Ms. Hankins brings a wealth of experience to this position,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “This experience, along with her leadership skills, will be invaluable as the School enters a five-year, $30 million capital campaign.”

Baltimore, Md. — The University of Maryland School of Nursing has been involved in the first national survey of nurses' exposure to chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and radiation on the job. Results suggest there are links between serious health problems such as cancer, asthma, miscarriages, and children's birth defects and the duration and intensity of these exposures. The survey included 1,500 nurses from all 50 states. Results of the survey by the Environmental Working Group, the Environmental Health Education Center at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and Health Care Without Harm are available online at www.ewg.org/reports/nursesurvey (link no longer available). The survey is extremely detailed and is the first of its kind, but it was not a controlled, statistically designed study. There are no workplace safety standards to protect nurses from the combined effects of repeated exposure to mixtures of hazardous materials that include residues from medications, anesthetic gases, sterilizing and disinfecting chemicals, radiation, latex, cleaning chemicals, hand and skin disinfection products, and even mercury escaping from broken medical equipment. "For many of the toxic chemicals in hospitals, there are safer alternatives or safer processes. We must make these healthier choices for the sake of our patients, nurses, and all hospital employees," said Barbara Sattler, RN, DrPH, FAAN, professor and director of the Environmental Health Education Center. The survey is a call to action for nurses around the country to demand the use of safer products and protective measures to control exposure to hazardous agents in the workplace. "Through an initiative spearheaded by the School of Nursing called 'Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment', Maryland hospitals have taken the lead in creating viable solutions," said Sattler. She and others will continue to work on this project with key environmental and nursing groups both locally and nationally. Video from a Dec. 11 news conference concerning the survey can be seen by clicking here or on the image below (link no longer available). (Real Player is required.) ‌

Baltimore, Md.—The University of Maryland School of Nursing is pleased to announce that its Nurse Anesthesia master's program has been granted continued accreditation for 10 years by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs, with no progress report required during the 10-year period. In their letter of notification to Lou Heindel, DNP, CRNA, director of the program, the COA stated that “very few programs are granted accreditation with no progress report required, and even fewer programs have achieved maximum accreditation of 10 years.” “This success was due to the excellent collaboration we have with our 16 clinical sites, as well as numerous contributions from School of Nursing faculty,” says Heindel. The School of Nursing established the state of Maryland's first Nurse Anesthesia program in 2004, in response to a request by the Maryland Chapter of the American Association of Nurses Anesthetists, to help address the statewide shortage of nurse anesthetists – a shortage that is expected to grow as the over-65 population increases. The first cohort of 17 students graduated from the program in December 2006, and 14 of those graduates accepted positions as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in the Baltimore area. The second class of 21 students will graduate December 7. “Similar to our first class of graduates, most of the Class of 2007 plan to take positions in Baltimore and across the state, significantly reducing the CRNA shortage in this medically underserved area,” says Heindel. Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses who administer anesthesia to patients for both major and minor procedures. Nationally, more than 65 percent of the 26 million anesthetics administered each year are given by CRNAs. For more information about the University of Maryland School of Nursing's Nurse Anesthesia program, contact Dr. Heindel at 410-706-4038 or lhein003@son.umaryland.edu.

Dean Janet Allan participates in press conference to unveil plan. Baltimore, Md.—Earlier this week, leaders from Maryland hospitals and nursing schools outlined a bold new strategy for solving Maryland's nursing crisis by doubling the number of nurses educated in Maryland. Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, was one of five presenters at a press conference held at the Maryland Hospital Association where the plan, “Who Will Care?” was unveiled. Presenters warned that without action, the shortfall of nurses could reach 10,000 by 2016. The plan calls for an increase of 1,800 in the number of enrollees of first-year nursing students beginning in 2009 and continuing into the foreseeable future. This can only be achieved by increasing the number of nursing faculty and by funding the educational infrastructure to support increased numbers of students, both clearly addressed in the plan. The group placed a price tag on the plan in year one of $34 million and $25 million in the next year. Initially, two-thirds of the funds will stem from public sources and one-third from the private sector. Over time, the plan will become self sustaining. “Maryland is the first state in the nation to develop a comprehensive plan to solve this critical problem,” said Dean Allan. “Ending the nursing shortage is crucial to the public health. A solution is in sight, and it is our responsibility to act now.” Dean Allan, along with Carolyn Yocom, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and chair of the School of Nursing's Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, were among the 27-member work group that developed the plan. The press conference has received extensive coverage in a variety of regional media outlets. See links below for press coverage that includes Dean Allan and/or BSN student Hershaw Davis, who was also interviewed by the press. http://www.baltimoresun.com (story no longer active) http://www.bizjournals.com http://www.examiner.com/~New_plan_hopes_to_ease_nursing_shortage http://www.examiner.com/~Group_calls_for_$59M http://www.washingtonpost.com http://media.umaryland.edu (story no longer active) http://www.wamu.org/news/ http://wjz.com (story no longer active)

Baltimore, Md. — One of the keys to tackling Maryland's nursing shortage is finding ways to address the lack of nursing faculty needed to educate new nurses. A collaborative effort between the University of Maryland School of Nursing and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has resulted in the development of a new regional scholarship to promote graduate nursing education. An advanced degree will qualify graduates to become faculty members who can teach nursing students at all levels. Dubbed “Project RN,” the scholarship program will help students complete their degree within two years by providing them with financial support. Fran Valle, MS, CRNP, a student in the School of Nursing's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, was recently awarded the first Project RN scholarship, which includes $40,000 per year for tuition, fees, books, and living stipend for a period of two years. Valle, like all funded scholars in the program, will be required to commit to working as a full-time faculty member for four years in a Baltimore-Washington, D.C. nursing school. “I am honored by this award and I am looking forward to the pursuit of my DNP degree at the University of Maryland School of Nursing,” said Valle. "The Project RN Scholarship is allowing me to realize my true passion and ambition: giving back to my profession as a nursing faculty member.” Maryland nursing schools turned away nearly 1,500 qualified applicants in 2006, due largely to an insufficient number of faculty members to teach them. The shortage is expected to worsen in the next decade as a wave of faculty retirements is anticipated across the nation. “Financial support for our DNP students is essential to impacting the nurse faculty shortage,” says Kathryn Lothschuetz Montgomery, PhD, RN, associate dean for organizational partnerships, outreach, and clinical enterprise at the School of Nursing. “This program demonstrates the need for finding creative ways to start closing the gap on the nurse faculty shortage.” “Nurses are a critical part of any health care team. Looking at the potential impact of this effort conservatively, this program could lead to the education of more than 200 nurses throughout the region,” explained Gregory A. Devou, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield. “Project RN is a key component of our broader CareFirst Commitment effort to improve patient safety and care quality.” Call 410-706-7522 for more information about the Project RN Scholarship.

Baltimore, Md. — Jack Gilden, president of Gilden Integrated, a marketing firm in Baltimore, and a member of the University of Maryland School of Nursing's Board of Visitors, received the Simon Rockower Journalism Award at the American Jewish Press Association's annual conference held recently in San Francisco. Gilden was cited for his Jewish Times article, “Silence of the Sage,” which examined the anti-Semitism of H.L. Mencken. Gilden also won a first-place David Franklin Award for Excellence in Personality Profiles. A long-time friend of the School of Nursing, Gilden Integrated gave a $1.2 million contribution of cash and in-kind gifts to the School in 1999, as the national nursing shortage was escalating. The gift included a comprehensive marketing and media campaign to revitalize the public perception of nursing and to promote the nursing profession. “We congratulate Mr. Gilden on the receipt of these prestigious awards, and we are proud to count him among the members of our esteemed Board of Visitors,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked seventh nationally. Enrolling more than 1,400 students in its baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md.—Judy Ozbolt, PhD, RN, FAAN, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has received a three-year, $950,544 grant from the Division of Nursing, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for her study, Nursing Informatics Program Focused on Diversity and the Underserved. The purpose of the project is to increase the workforce of diverse, culturally competent nursing informatics (NI) specialists by revising and expanding the School of Nursing's master's and post-master's online informatics programs. The grant will allow the School to hire more NI faculty and upgrade Web-based courses. “Strengthening our online NI program will allow us to extend our outreach to potential students in Maryland and around the world who cannot afford to quit their jobs or uproot their families to pursue advanced education,“ says Ozbolt. “We hope this will increase the diversity of our students and faculty, while helping to meet the growing demand for NI specialists, as health care organizations implement electronic health records and decision support systems to improve the safety and quality of care.“ Graduates, especially those in underserved areas, will help improve access to quality health care and strengthen health care systems through the provision of information tools that support the quality, safety, and evidence base of practice. Graduates of the program are eligible for the American Nurses Credentialing Center nursing informatics certification examination. A pioneer in the nursing informatics field, the University of Maryland School of Nursing created the world's first master's program in nursing informatics in 1988. This specialty prepares nursing professionals to enhance the quality of patient care and outcomes through the development, implementation, use, and evaluation of information tools.

Baltimore, Md.—Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has received a five-year, $1.8 million grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research for her study, BDNF Signal Strength Modulates NRTI-Induced Allodynia in the Mouse. The purpose of the study is to try to understand how nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, one component of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) regimens for patients with HIV, cause painful peripheral neuropathy, so that new therapeutic targets for treatment can be identified. “The pain, thought to be caused by damaged peripheral nerves, is spontaneous in nature and manifests as an excruciating burning, lancing, or throbbing sensation,” says Dorsey. “Treatments that are currently available do not always provide adequate pain relief, due in part to our incomplete understanding about the mechanisms that promote the development and persistence of this type of chronic pain.” Dorsey says that even if HAART therapy is discontinued, the pain can persist for months or years after completing therapy. “We believe that significantly increasing the expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) – a member of the family of growth factors termed “neurotrophins” – may provide significant pain relief, and thus be a potential new therapeutic target for pain treatment,” she says. “Since we know that exercise can increase BDNF production in both animals and humans, we will examine whether exercise helps to improve pain, and if so, the dose and intensity needed for pain relief.” “I had noticed, in my own research, how well humans with HIV drug-induced painful peripheral neuropathy performed after three to four months of exercise training,” says Barbara A. Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate dean of research at the School of Nursing and a study co-investigator. “What is so important about this grant is that once we identify the mechanism, we can rapidly translate the findings into humans, since that is where we identified the potential therapeutic benefit of exercise in the first place.” All of these studies will be conducted in a mouse model of HIV drug-induced painful peripheral neuropathy developed in the School of Nursing's own bench research laboratories.

Baltimore, Md. — An innovative partnership has been initiated between the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the U.S. Army Nurse Corps (ANC) to help address the School of Nursing's faculty shortage. The pilot program calls for up to eight ANC officers to be utilized as undergraduate nursing faculty, at no cost to the School, for a maximum of two academic years. The first six ANC nurse educators will begin teaching in the fall 2007 semester. As part of the agreement, the School of Nursing will provide formal faculty orientation and training for the new ANC faculty members. “This pilot program with the University of Maryland School of Nursing is important for three reasons,” says Maj. Gen. Gale S. Pollock, BSN '76, MBA, MHA, MS, CRNA, RN, FACHE, Acting Army Surgeon General and Commander, Army Medical Command. “First, the nursing shortage is exacerbated by a lack of faculty. In my view, Army nurses are the best in our military and we can help address that national faculty shortage. Second, these Army nurses will be role models for student nurses who want to serve with the best, so it will assist us with recruiting. Third, many of the nurses in the ANC want to teach and serve as faculty; therefore, an option like this helps me retain these excellent nurses as well.” “Faculty shortages across the nation are limiting student capacity,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. “This mutually beneficial program will help us tackle our faculty shortage, allow us to continue educating large numbers of undergraduate students, and help the Army enhance officer training. It is a win-win situation for both parties.” The School of Nursing has a long history of preparing military nurses, having graduated more than 1,000 military nurses over many decades. Many of the graduates were members of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing program, launched by the School in 1964, and from which Maj. Gen. Pollock graduated in 1976. “We need to empower men and women to consider nursing by providing them with the education and the resources they need to do their jobs. It's essential for our hospitals and it's essential for our patients,” says Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a long-time champion of nursing. “This relationship between the U.S. Army and the School of Nursing demonstrates the importance of our nurses and nurse educators to the military and to the nation as a whole. I'm so proud of the University of Maryland School of Nursing for once again showing creativity and vision in establishing this world-class program.”

Baltimore, Md.—The University of Maryland School of Nursing has announced the appointment of Barbara Resnick, PhD ‘96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, a professor at the School of Nursing and a noted gerontological researcher, to the Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Endowed Chair in Gerontology. Funded through a gift from Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Goodman, BSN '73, MS '79, and currently valued at $1.5 million, the chair enables a national expert in the field to conduct research and educate students in the growing nursing specialty of gerontology. “I am honored to be awarded the Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Endowed Chair in Gerontology and to have the opportunity to provide leadership in advancing the School's gerontological research, practice, and teaching agenda,” says Resnick. “Given the demographics of our nation, and specifically the state of Maryland, I look forward to leading the School of Nursing in solving the critical health care needs that are anticipated as our population ages.” Resnick is nationally and internationally renowned for her research on improving the health of the elderly and for her leadership in the education of Geriatric Nurse Practitioners. She has devoted much of her career to building a comprehensive research program that focuses on ways to motivate older adults to engage in functional activities and exercise, in order to improve their overall health and quality of life. In addition to her faculty role at the School of Nursing and her on-going research, Resnick works as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at Roland Park Place, a continuing care retirement community in Baltimore. “Dr. Resnick exemplifies the caliber of person we needed to fill this position,” says Search Committee Chair Carolyn Yocom, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and chair of the School's Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. “We are confident that she will provide the leadership required to advance the School's gerontology program, while continuing her contributions to research and other scholarly endeavors, obtaining external funding, and mentoring graduate students.” Resnick is the third person to be appointed to the Endowed Chair since it was established in 1984. Dr. Beverly Baldwin held the position until 1995, followed by Dr. Sandra Fulton Picot, who held the Chair from 1999 until 2004. “We congratulate Dr. Resnick on this wonderful achievement,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “We are proud to count her among our cadre of esteemed alumni and internationally renowned research faculty.”

Baltimore, Md. — The University of Maryland School of Nursing graduated the largest class of nursing students in the state of Maryland at ceremonies held May 18 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Degrees were awarded to more than 500 nursing candidates, including eight PhD degrees, emphasizing the significant role that research plays in the profession of nursing. These graduates represent all candidates from the 2007 academic year and include nearly 400 new nurses, most of whom will be providing direct patient care in regional health systems. Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing, welcomed everyone and extended remarks to the students. “Very few professions allow you to have such a significant impact on people's lives and those of their families,” she stated. “I applaud your dedication, and encourage you to reach for your goals and to remain active in your profession.” A true friend and supporter of nursing for many years, guest speaker U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski roused the crowd with her comment, “If you want it done right, get a nurse to do it. If you want the best, get a University of Maryland nurse!” The Convocation address was presented by Lisa Rowen, DNSc, MS '86, RN, senior vice president for patient care services and chief nursing officer at the University of Maryland Medical Center. She told graduates that the most important guiding principle in her life was to “establish strong and positive connections, bonds, and relationships that seek to enlarge, rather than diminish, other people.” “You are all the same in that you have worked diligently, persevered, completed your programs, and will end your day with a diploma in hand,” Rowen said. “But you are all different because each of you will walk away from here with something that no one else has, and that is your own individual ability to influence the world around you through your relationships. I would like to ask you to consider how you will influence this world. How will you care for and tend to your relationships with others? How will you positively enlarge and impact others? Because, in these questions, you will find answers to constantly evolve yourself as a nursing leader.” Bachelor of Science graduate Christiana Nwaolu delivered remarks on behalf of the students

Baltimore, Md. – State Senate President Mike Miller recently appointed the Honorable Catherine E. Pugh to the senatorial vacancy on the Governor's Wellmobile Advisory Board. Pugh is a member of the State Senate serving the 40th District of Baltimore City in the Maryland General Assembly. She formerly served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates and the Baltimore City Council. Pugh is president and CEO of C.E. Pugh and Company, a public relations consulting firm. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Maryland Medical System. Pugh holds an MBA from Morgan State University, and is a member of the Morgan State faculty. The Governor's Wellmobile Program, established in 1994 as a partnership among the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, operates four full-service mobile health clinics that travel across the state of Maryland. Operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and staffed by its nurse practitioner faculty and students, the Wellmobiles offer regular, continuing health care for underserved and uninsured children and adults throughout Maryland. “We are honored to have Sen. Pugh serve on our Wellmobile Board,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “Her extensive background in state and local government and her expertise in the area of marketing and communications will serve us well as we continue to expand the Wellmobile program.”

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing rose three points – from No. 10 to No. 7 – in the latest ranking of graduate schools released by U.S. News & World Report today. This marks the sixth consecutive time the School has been ranked among the nation's top 10 schools of nursing. In addition to the overall ranking, three of the School's master's specialty programs received top 10 status. The Family Nurse Practitioner program was ranked No. 5, and both the Adult Nurse Practitioner program and the Nursing Service Administration program were ranked No. 6. “We are elated by the progression of our national ranking from No. 10 to No. 7 among all nursing schools in the nation,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “This achievement is a testimonial to the outstanding commitment of our faculty, staff, and administration, who consistently provide powerful leadership and innovative programming for nursing education.”

Baltimore, Md. – Debra L. Spunt, DNP, MS, RN, FAAN, an assistant professor and director of the Clinical Simulation Laboratories at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, died of cancer March 9 at Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care in Baltimore. She was 50 years old. Spunt earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in1979, a Master of Science in 1983, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2007, all from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She was a member of the School of Nursing faculty since 1984. Spunt was nationally and internationally recognized for her knowledge, expertise, and leadership in clinical simulation – the use of computerized human patient simulators and patient care scenarios to educate nurses and other health care providers. She was responsible for the design, administration, and management of the School's 28 clinical simulation laboratories, considered the preeminent (nursing) student learning labs in the world. In this role, she collaborated with faculty on the integration of simulation into the nursing curriculum, and in doing so, has helped prepare thousands of nurses worldwide. She was also responsible for teaching, research, partnerships, consultation, and recruitment. “Debbie Spunt has touched thousands of lives, and we were very fortunate to have someone of her caliber serve on our faculty and direct our simulation labs,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “She will not only be missed for her extraordinary work in the area of clinical simulation, but also as an outstanding teacher, colleague, and dear friend to all who have come to know her.” Spunt was a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and a member of the American Nurses Association, the Maryland Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the National League of Nursing, and the Maryland League for Nurses. She co-founded the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning and served as its first president. She is survived by a daughter, Ellen M. Spunt, an aunt and uncle, and many friends. An endowment has been initiated in memory of Spunt and her contributions to the School of Nursing and the nursing profession, and to celebrate her passion for promoting the use of clinical simulation in nursing education, research, and practice. Contributions can be made to UMBF/SON for the The Debra L. Spunt Clinical Simulation Practice and Research Endowment, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Office of Development, 655 West Lombard St, Room 727, Baltimore, MD 21201

Baltimore, Md. – The Governor's Wellmobile program, operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing, recently received a $50,000 contribution from CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield (CareFirst) to help support the program's operation. This is the second time CareFirst has made a donation to the Wellmobile program, the first being a $250,000 gift in 2005. The Wellmobile program, begun in 1994 as a public/private partnership, consists of four mobile health clinics that travel throughout the state of Maryland providing primary health care services to uninsured and underserved citizens. Staffed by family nurse practitioners, the Wellmobiles also serve as venues for School of Nursing students – at both the undergraduate and graduate level where clinical skills are honed – to gain experience in a community health setting. In 2005-2006, the Wellmobile program provided services to more than 6,000 Marylanders, saving the state an estimated $1.6 to $2.1 million in avoided emergency room visits. “CareFirst understands and supports the need to address health disparities by providing basic primary care to underserved communities,” says Gregory A. Devou, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for CareFirst. “We are proud to partner with the School of Nursing to offer health care to those communities and to help provide ‘hands-on' learning experiences for nursing students.” “We are grateful to CareFirst for their continued support of the Wellmobile program, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “As a health care organization, they understand and are willing to invest in quality health care for all members of our society, as well as optimal educational opportunities for the next generation of nurses.”

Baltimore, Md. – Tim Porter-O'Grady, EdD, RN, CNAA, CS, FAAN, a nationally recognized leader in the health care arena, has been named a visiting professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. He will be teaching in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and working with faculty and administrators on curriculum development. Porter-O'Grady has focused his professional work on health systems innovation and creativity as applied to the design and delivery of health services. He is considered an expert on health futures and innovative health service models. In his more than 35 years in health care, he has held roles from staff nurse to senior executive in a variety of health care settings. Porter-O'Grady is currently senior partner of an international health care consulting firm in Atlanta, specializing in health futures, organizational innovation, conflict, and change, as well as health service delivery models. He also serves as an associate professor at Emory University in Atlanta and an associate professor and leadership scholar at the Arizona State University College of Nursing, where he is teaching in their new Health Care Innovation master's program. Porter-O'Grady has published 15 books, authored more than 155 journal articles and book chapters, and has consulted with nearly 1,000 hospitals and health care agencies worldwide. He is a five-time winner of the American Journal of Nursing's Book of the Year Award. “We are delighted that Dr. Porter-O'Grady has joined our faculty,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “We look forward to working with him on strategic initiatives and directions for the School, particularly as we begin to implement the School's 2007-2011 Strategic Plan.”

Baltimore, Md. – In ceremonies held recently at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, the state's first cohorts of nurse anesthetists and clinical nurse leaders celebrated the completion of their Master of Science (MS) programs. Seventeen men and women completed the nurse anesthesia program, the only one of its kind in the state of Maryland, which was initiated in 2004 to address a statewide shortage of nurse anesthetists. According to a survey conducted by the Maryland Hospital Association in 2003, there was a 16.6 percent job vacancy rate for nurse anesthetists of the 42 job categories surveyed. That number is expected to grow as the need for comprehensive health care increases along with the state's over-65 population. Notably, 15 of the 17 new graduates have accepted positions as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in the Baltimore area. “We are extremely proud of our nurse anesthesia graduates, who completed this rigorous 28-month, full-time program that included an 18-month full-time clinical rotation,” says Assistant Professor Lou Heindel, DNP, CRNA, director of the School of Nursing's nurse anesthesia program. Heindel notes that the program was created through a collaborative effort between the University of Maryland Medical Center, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, MedStar Health, and Kernan Hospital. Also celebrating the completion of their MS program were 57 Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) students. The CNL program, launched in fall 2005, is also the only one of its kind in Maryland. The program allows people with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing discipline to receive an MS degree. CNL coursework and clinical experiences provide students with the opportunity to gain knowledge required for both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) competencies and the competencies required for the CNL credential at the master's level. CNL graduates are eligible to sit for the RN licensure examination, as well as the newly-created CNL certification examination currently being piloted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Many of the CNL graduates have accepted positions at hospitals and other health care agencies in the Baltimore metropolitan area. “We are thrilled with the success of our first CNL graduating class,” says Gail Schoen Lemaire, PhD, APRN, BC, assistant professor, who co-directs the program with Assistant Professor Carol Esche, DNP, RN, MA, CNA. “This group of students was truly exceptional and enthusiastic.” The December graduates included 100 BSN students, 126 MS students (including nurse anesthesia and clinical nurse leaders), and three PhD students. The School leads the state in providing the largest number of professional nurses to the workforce and continues to create innovative educational programs for nurses that are responsive to the health care needs of the nation.  

Rockville, Md. – Rockville resident Margaret Noonan, a University of Maryland School of Nursing student at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), Rockville, has been awarded the Gertrude M. Eaton/Board of Advisors Scholarship for the 2006-2007 academic year. Noonan, a student leader who is highly regarded among the faculty and her peers, holds a 3.875 GPA. She transferred to USG from Montgomery College, where she was a Dean's List student with a 4.0 GPA, and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Noonan, a single mother who is devoted to “caring for and creating a better life for her young son,” volunteers at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, and is a member of a local Gymkana Troupe that performs gymnastics exhibitions which advocate for a drug free life. “I am eager to begin my nursing career and to dedicate my life to helping others achieve their healthiest potential,” says Noonan, who hopes to further her education by returning to school for an advanced degree in the health care field. The Gertrude M. Eaton/Board of Advisors Scholarship, in honor of the dedication and services of Dr. Gertrude M. Eaton, former executive director at USG, is awarded annually to one eligible undergraduate, degree-seeking student enrolled in any of the programs at USG. The minimum award is $500 annually.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has been named a Center of Excellence in Simulation Education by Laerdal Medical, an international manufacturer of medical devices such as stethoscopes and automatic defibrillators, as well as interactive computer and patient simulators for educating health care professionals. The School of Nursing was chosen for this prestigious honor because of its leadership, education, and research initiatives in simulation learning. The award was presented by Tore Laerdal, global president of Laerdal Medical, at the National League of Nursing's (NLN) Technology and Simulation Conference, held recently at the School of Nursing. The School has collaborated with Laerdal since the 1980's to develop learning strategies and health care simulation, and was one of eight schools chosen by the NLN in 2003 to conduct a research project for documenting the importance of simulation learning. Today, the School boasts 24 clinical simulation laboratories at its Baltimore campus – more than any other school of nursing in the nation – that utilize simulation as an integrated teaching strategy throughout the curriculum. In addition, the School is home to Sim Man, Vital Sims Toddler and Baby, Sim Dog, computerized virtual I.V. simulation, micro-simulation, and other technologies manufactured by Laerdal, which allow nurses and other health care professionals to practice their skills on “simulated patients.” “The University of Maryland School of Nursing is honored to have this continuing partnership with Laerdal, a corporation that cares about health care education, research, and the community,” says Debra Spunt, MS, RN, FAAN, director of the School's simulation labs. “As a Laerdal Center of Excellence, we have the opportunity to share in the company's mission, while educating nurses and other health care workers.” As part of the partnership, Spunt, an expert in the design and educational applications of simulation laboratories, has worked with Laerdal to help facilitate the Create a Lab Program that assists schools of nursing in integrating simulation into the curriculum. Beyond this partnership, Spunt consults with nursing schools, both nationally and internationally, on the development of realistic learning environments that will bring simulation alive and help provide active, hands-on learning for nursing students and health care providers. “Our school of nursing emphasizes the principles of leadership, partnership, and innovation,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “This honor speaks to our success in addressing each of these principles through our partnership with Laerdal, our ground-breaking efforts in integrating simulation learning into the nursing curriculum, and our research in developing the evidence base for simulation education."

Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, Public Servant of the Year Baltimore, Md. – Rebecca Wiseman, an assistant professor and director of the Governor's Wellmobile Program at the School of Nursing, is known as someone who can bring the right people together for a common purpose and make things happen. The Wellmobiles—four, 33-footlong mobile health units—provide primary health care for the uninsured and underinsured throughout Maryland. Under Wiseman's leadership, the Wellmobile Program has increased the number of patients seen daily at each Wellmobile van from three to more than 15—a total of 8,000 patients a year. “As a nurse, I see access to health care as a right,” she says. “My job is to give our providers as many resources as possible so that they can provide the highest level of care possible.” To that end, Wiseman has developed partnerships with local care providers, including specialists and regional hospitals, to establish a network of care and case management for an ever increasing client load. And through Wellmobile outreach, patients learn about their eligibility for state or federal health care programs. Under Wiseman's direction, says Gov. Robert Ehrlich, the Wellmobile program helps identify “all the services for which a patient might qualify.” In addition, he says, Wiseman “empowers her staff to be involved in their service to the community,” and she is a “mentor to those she leads.” Wiseman is also praised by Delegate Kevin Kelly, a member of the Maryland General Assembly from rural Allegany County. “In each region of the state where the four Governor's Wellmobiles are situated, Dr. Wiseman conscientiously works in conjunction with local community officials to provide patient referrals, hospital/lab support, and other essential services to uninsured individuals,” Kelly says. Rear Admiral Carol A. Romano, PhD, RN, BC, CNAA, FAAN,SON, '77, '85, '93: Illustrious Alumni 2006 Rear Admiral Carol A. Romano earned her bachelor's (1977), master's (1985) and doctoral (1993) degrees in nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Since that time, she has become a pioneer in nursing informatics. In 1976, Romano helped design and implement one of the first computerized medical information systems, which provided electronic medical orders and clinical documentation for patients in ambulatory and hospital environments. She was instrumental in creating the world's first graduate curriculum in nursing informatics for the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Romano advised the World Health Organization on the management of human resources and health information in developing countries. Selected as chief nurse officer by the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) and named assistant surgeon general, Romano is charged with the leadership and coordination of PHS nursing professional affairs for the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. Romano has received the PHS Meritorious Service Medal, three PHS Outstanding Service Medals, and a Commendation Medal and two PHS Achievement Medals, among many other awards. In addition to lecturing at the School of Nursing for many years and serving on numerous advisory committees, Romano presently serves on the School's Alumni Association Council

Initial funds to support Governor's Wellmobile program. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has received a five-year, $1 million grant from MedStar Health, the largest hospital system in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region. Initial funding from the grant is earmarked for support of the Governor's Wellmobile program, which is managed by the School of Nursing. The Wellmobile program consists of four vans that travel throughout the state of Maryland providing primary health care services to underserved and uninsured citizens. The program also provides a venue for School of Nursing students – at both the undergraduate and graduate level where clinical skills are honed – to gain experience in a community health setting. “As the largest regional health care provider, MedStar Health supports the need to address health disparities by providing basic primary care to underserved communities,” says Steven S. Cohen, FACHE, senior vice president of integrated operations at MedStar Health, and chair of the School of Nursing's Board of Visitors. “We also value the vital role that the School of Nursing plays in educating future nurses who will provide direct patient care to residents throughout the region. MedStar Health is proud to offer this community benefit in a meaningful way.” The School of Nursing and MedStar Health also plan to pursue joint activities in support of the School's environmental health, clinical research management, and nursing informatics programs; encourage MedStar Health industry partners to explore opportunities with the School; and facilitate clinical training for School of Nursing students at MedStar hospitals and other provider facilities. “We are very excited about this new partnership with MedStar Health,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “As a health care organization, they understand and are willing to invest in quality health care for all members of our society, as well as optimal educational opportunities for the next generation of nurses.”

Baltimore, Md. – The University Maryland School of Nursing's Board of Visitors recently namedMartha A. Duggan as their newest member. Duggan, who is vice president for business development for the Mid-Atlantic region of Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., is responsible for the development and execution of sales strategy in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. “We welcome Ms. Duggan to the Board of Visitors and look forward to working with her on exciting initiatives to benefit the School of Nursing,” says Board Chair Steven S. Cohen, FACHE, senior vice president of Integrated Operations at MedStar Health. The Board of Visitors consists of dynamic leaders from both the private and public sectors, whose contributions of time, knowledge, and funds serve as a cornerstone to sustaining excellence in undergraduate and graduate nursing education. At the invitation of the Dean, Board members serve in an advisory role, communicate the School's messages to the greater Baltimore business and professional communities, and partner with the School in strategic fundraising initiatives. “We are very pleased that Martha Duggan has joined our distinguished Board of Visitors,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “Her leadership skills and business expertise will be invaluable as the Board moves forward with planning and implementing programs that address our mission of developing leaders in education, research, and clinical practice.”

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing is proud to announce that its Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Collaborating Center for Mental Health Nursing has been re-designated for a period of four years, from 2006 to 2010. The Center is the first in the nation and one of only two in the world that are WHO-designated nursing centers dedicated to improving mental health care. The Center focuses on mental health nursing through education, training, information, and research projects that involve interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions in South and Central America. “We are extremely honored to house this Center in our School,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “This re-designation allows us to continue our collaborative efforts with colleagues in Latin and Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico for strengthening the knowledge base of mental health nursing and practice.” The terms of reference for re-designation include: Collaborating with health and nursing institutions in the PAHO/WHO regions to strengthen the human resources in mental health nursing by expanding the base of mental health nursing, education, and practice Continuing to improve the quality of care provided by mental health nurses through the participatory process of development of competencies and standards in the Americas, and Promoting and sharing collaborative research across the PAHO/WHO region focused on mental health priority areas and on mental health work force work conditions for the promotion of mental health in the Americas. “This re-designation confirms the extraordinary work being done by our Center,” says Susanna Nemes, PhD, director of the Center. “Throughout the next four years, we aim to conduct more research in collaboration with other Centers around the world in order to increase the scientific knowledge related to mental health.”

New initiative will help advance evidence-based education and practice. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has received the first year of funding, in the amount of $200,000, on a three-year program to develop a comprehensive higher education program for increasing awareness about the fight against breast cancer. “The Komen Maryland Affiliate Nursing Partnership: Advancing Education and Practice” – an innovative partnership with the Maryland Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (Komen MD) – is the first of its kind in the nation linking the Komen Foundation with a nursing school. The purpose of the program is to heighten the knowledge and skills of nursing faculty and students at all levels of the curriculum regarding the current state of the science in the prevention and detection of breast cancer, and the treatment and care of persons living with this disease. The program is being led by three School of Nursing oncology faculty – Assistant Dean for Research and Professor Sandra McLeskey, PhD, RN, is director of the grant; Professor Deborah McGuire, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Assistant Professor Heidi Ehrenberger, PhD, RN, AOCN®, are co-directors. “This funding initiative is intended to model a unique and innovative way for the Komen Foundation to emphasize critically important roles that nurses play in the fight against breast cancer,” says Robin Prothro, executive director of Komen MD and an alumna of the School of Nursing. The program will directly support Komen MD's mission “to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research.” Components of the program include a Komen Visiting Professor, who will help introduce evidence-based expertise about breast cancer into the existing curriculum; a Komen Scholar in Residence, who will develop innovative breast-cancer related curriculum and community-based projects; a Komen Distinguished Lecture focusing on a breast cancer topic; Komen Conferees, who will receive stipends to attend regional and national conferences on breast cancer research and practice; and the Komen Educational Outreach program, a community-oriented initiative in breast cancer related activities. “We are excited about this new partnership with Komen MD, and we are very proud that our School will be developing a national model for teaching breast cancer awareness in schools of nursing,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has added four new members to its Board of Visitors. They include: Scott J. Corbett, senior vice president, Sodexho Healthcare Services; Victoria McAndrews, co-founder, senior vice president, and chief financial officer for CMD Outsourcing Solutions; Beth Peters, vice president for development at the Baltimore-Washington Medical Center; and Deborah Tillett, president of BreakAway, Ltd. “We welcome our new Board members and look forward to working with them on exciting initiatives to benefit the School of Nursing,” says Board Chair Steven S. Cohen, president of Integrated Operations at MedStar Health. The Board of Visitors consists of dynamic leaders from both the private and public sectors, whose contributions of time, knowledge and funds serve as a cornerstone to sustaining excellence in undergraduate and graduate nursing education. At the invitation of the Dean, Board members serve in an advisory role, communicate the School's messages to the greater Baltimore business and professional communities, and partner with the School in strategic fundraising initiatives. “We are very pleased that these exemplary leaders have joined our distinguished Board of Visitors,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “Their expertise is crucial for assuring that our education, research, and clinical practice programs maintain leadership positions in higher education and remain responsive to the ever-changing needs in the health care arena.”

Baltimore, Md. – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., has appointed Richard Gelfman and the Honorable Sue Kullen to the Governor's Wellmobile Advisory Board. The Governor also reappointed Eric Baugh, MD, senior vice president for medical affairs and network management at CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield, and Bernard Kaplioff, MD, publisher of the Prince George's Sentinel, to the Board. The Wellmobile Board assists the University of Maryland School of Nursing in overseeing and raising funds for the Governor's Wellmobile program. Gelfman, who served for more than 20 years as a legal correspondent, investigative reporter, and anchor at WBAL-TV 11 and WJZ-TV 13 in Baltimore, will lend his expertise in media and marketing to the Board. He is founder of The Ride Across Maryland Foundation, Inc., which raises funds for the fight against breast cancer by promoting an annual motorcycle ride across the state. Kullen, a Delegate from Calvert County whose focus is on health care, will serve as the Board's legislative representative. She sits on the House Health and Government Operations Committee, and worked closely with the Attorney General's office to create a program to reduce prescription drug abuse, a significant cause of increased health care costs. The Governor's Wellmobile Program, established in 1994 as a partnership among the public, private and philanthropic sectors, operates four full-service mobile health clinics that travel across the state of Maryland. Operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and staffed by its nurse practitioner faculty and students, the Wellmobiles offer regular, continuing health care for underserved and uninsured children and adults throughout Maryland.

Baltimore, Md. – University of Maryland School of Nursing alumna Frances Lessans, MS '85, BSN '80, president of Passport Health and a member of the School of Nursing's Board of Visitors, has received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 Award in the “Healthcare Education and Related Service” category in Maryland. The award, which recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses, was presented at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 20th anniversary gala held recently at the Hyatt Regency in Baltimore. Lessans' company, Passport Health, provides comprehensive counseling and information about diseases and immunizations to corporate and leisure travelers. The business, which began in 1994, currently includes 50 franchise territories with multiple sites in each territory. “Ernst & Young is proud of its history in recognizing these outstanding leaders and their companies,” said Bill Cole, director of the Maryland Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program. As a Maryland award winner, Lessans is eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala to be held in Palm Springs, Calif., in November. The overall National Entrepreneur of the Year award recipient is then considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo. “We are proud to count Fran Lessans among our cadre of highly-motivated and successful alumni,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “As a businesswoman and a nurse, her contributions to our Board of Visitors are invaluable.”

Funds earmarked to address nurse and nurse faculty shortages. Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has received two five-year grants totaling $2,345,000 from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission's Nurse Support Program II. This program was specifically developed to help alleviate the state's critical shortage of nursing faculty and bedside nurses. The grant will support two new initiatives at the School of Nursing – the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and an on-line master's preparation program for staff nurses to expand their clinical instruction capacity. “This state initiative is unprecedented and hopefully will serve as a national model,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing, who led her peers and collaborated with other health care providers in the state to conceive and help develop the Nurse Support Program. “It is clear that we cannot prepare more nurses for our state without more qualified faculty. The Nurse Support Program II provides funds to directly address the need for both nurses and nurse faculty.” One grant, in the amount of $1,020,000, will provide funding for the School's new DNP degree, the first in the state of Maryland. This program appeals to many master's prepared, experienced clinicians, executives, and nurses specializing in informatics, who desire the doctoral credential recommended or required to become nursing faculty, but who do not wish to pursue the research-focused PhD degree. Graduates will be prepared to assume leadership roles in nursing education and practice. The second grant in the amount of $1,325,000 will fund a unique collaborative effort between the School of Nursing and two Maryland hospitals, Franklin Square Medical Center and the University of Maryland Medical Center. The grant provides an opportunity for staff nurses to obtain a master's degree through the School's online “Health Services Leadership and Management” master's specialty. Graduates of this program will be able to serve as clinical instructors and student nurse preceptors for the next generation of nurses. The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission awarded seven grants totaling $6 million to nursing schools throughout the state. The University of Maryland School of Nursing was the only school to receive two grants. The projected outcome of the first round of grants is expected to increase graduate enrollments in all Maryland nursing schools by an estimated total of 500 students over five years

First DNP program in Maryland to begin in fall 2006 Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing is once again demonstrating visionary leadership as it prepares to launch the first Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in the state of Maryland. The program will enroll its first class of students for the fall 2006 semester. “We are proud to assume a leadership role in offering the DNP program because it clearly responds to current and future needs of the American health care system and to the educational demands of current nurse educators, nurse administrators, nurse informaticians, and all advanced practice nurses,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. Until now, master's prepared nurses desiring to further their education had no choice but to enter PhD programs, which, by design, prepare nurse scientists. While nursing research is vitally needed and contributes to the improvement of health care for the nation, many nurses prefer to remain focused on direct patient care or leadership in patient care systems as they pursue advanced degrees in their profession. Additionally, many DNP candidates look forward to educating the next generations of nurses by becoming faculty in nursing schools. To specifically support this effort, the School of Nursing has received a five-year, $1,020,000 grant from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission to fund the new DNP program. “This practice-focused doctoral program opens the door for nurses who want to pursue one of the most advanced degrees in their field, rigorously applying scientific evidence in practice environments, participating in multidisciplinary collaborations, and leading at the highest educational, clinical and executive ranks,” says Patricia G. Morton, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, director of the program. Call 410-706-4378 for more information, or visit www.nursing.umaryland.edu.

Governor will extend congratulations to 551 graduating nurses. Baltimore, Md. – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. will attend the Convocation ceremony honoring 551 graduating nurses from the University of Maryland School of Nursing, being held at the Baltimore Convention Center at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 19. The School of Nursing, which is one of the first established in the nation and has more than 16,000 alumni, has a long history of innovation in nursing education, and consistently educates more professional nurses than any other institution in Maryland. “Our School has a strong track record for creating nurse leaders who are knowledgeable and independent thinkers, and who are powerful and effective advocates for their patients,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “Governor Ehrlich has been a strong supporter of our educational initiatives, and we are grateful for his recognition of the vital role of nurses and his consistent commitment to the profession. We are delighted to have him participate in our Convocation.” Governor Ehrlich has been instrumental in supporting nursing education throughout his administration. He recently endorsed a collaboration between the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission to administer the Nurse Support Program II, created to help alleviate Maryland's critical shortage of nurses and nurse faculty. The first round of funding for this program awarded grants to seven institutions totaling $6 million over five years. The University of Maryland School of Nursing competed for and was awarded two of these grants totaling $2,345,000. The funds will be used to support a new doctoral degree at the School – the Doctorate of Nursing Practice – and to promote the career mobility of associate, diploma, and baccalaureate prepared nurses to obtain graduate degrees. The 397 baccalaureate graduates, 136 master's graduates, and 18 PhD graduates from the University of Maryland School of Nursing will respond to the tremendous need for nurses in the state and across the nation by providing direct patient care, supervising teams of nurses and other health care providers, conducting scientific research, and educating future nurses. Call 410-706-4115 for more information, or visit www.nursing.umaryland.edu

Baltimore, Md. – Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been named for the second time as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women. She also received this prestigious honor in 2004. Allan, an expert on the nurse and nurse faculty shortages, recently facilitated the commitment of $100 million over the next 10 years to address these shortages through the Maryland Health Resources Cost Review Commission. She is chair of the Governor's Wellmobile Advisory Board, and is Maryland's Legislative Liaison for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. She is a member of Robert Wood Johnson's Prescription for Health National Advisory Committee, and serves on the editorial boards forAdvances in Nursing Science and Hispanic Health International. Under her dynamic leadership, the School of Nursing has launched several innovative nursing programs, including Clinical Nurse Leader, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Certified Nurse Anesthesia, Clinical Research Management, and the Institute for Educators in the Nursing and Health Professions. “I am honored to be among this esteemed group of accomplished women,” says Allan. “This award not only acknowledges my accomplishments, but it also brings recognition to our School of Nursing.” The annual award program, established by The Daily Record in 1996, recognizes 100 of Maryland's leading women who are making an impact on the state. The award was created to recognize the outstanding achievements of professional women who reside or work in Maryland. Awardees will be formally recognized at the 2006 Top 100 Women Celebration to be held May 8 at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore

Study Raises Concerns About Frequency Of Nurses' Long Work Schedules (.pdf)

New Fund Established to Support Hiring and Retention of Nursing Faculty Baltimore, Md. – A scholarship for University of Maryland School of Nursing students, initiated by Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, has exceeded the $1 million goal set when he endowed the scholarship in 1999 with an initial commitment of $350,000. The scholarship was established in honor of Schaefer's long-time friend and companion Hilda Mae Snoops, who was a nurse. The fund, which provides financial aid based on need and merit, has provided assistance to more than 50 nursing students since its inception. Although the goal for the Snoops Scholarship Fund has been reached, Schaefer's support for the nursing profession will not end. “During the past six years, I have learned that there are severe shortages in bedside nurses, as well as nursing faculty,” says Schaefer. “Nursing schools throughout Maryland are turning away qualified students because there aren't enough faculty to teach them.” Determined to help address the nursing faculty shortage, Schaefer is helping the School of Nursing raise $1 million to create the William Donald Schaefer Nurse Faculty Fund. This fund will be used to support the hiring and retention of new and current nursing teachers. “We truly appreciate Comptroller Schaefer's commitment to nursing,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “The Snoops Scholarship provides aspiring nurses throughout Maryland the opportunity to study at our School, and the new Nurse Faculty Fund will help us hire and retain excellent faculty, which will help alleviate the nurse and nursing faculty shortages.” Anyone wishing to support the Nurse Faculty Fund can mail his or her check to the University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard Street, Suite 729, Baltimore, MD 21201. Make checks payable to: “UMBF, Inc.” Memo: William Donald Schaefer Nurse Faculty Fund. Donations can also be made on-line at www.giving.umaryland.edu. For more information about the William Donald Schaefer Nurse Faculty Fund, call 410-706-8418.

Cynthia Flynn Capers, PhD, BSN '68, RN, dean of the University of Akron College of Nursing and a 1968 alumna of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, will discuss “Looking at Diversity Through the Lens of Inclusive Excellence,” at the University of Maryland School of Nursing's15th Annual Black History Month Celebration, being held Monday, Feb. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore. A coffee and tea reception will precede the lecture, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Dr. Capers, who has served as dean of the University Akron College of Nursing since 1997, is a noted authority on cultural diversity and psychosocial care. Her specific scholarship focuses on African Americans' beliefs, practices, and preferred use of resources for health care problems. Dr. Capers possesses over 35 years experience as a professional nurse, educator, researcher, consultant, and family therapist. The event is free and open to the public. Call 410-706-6002 to RSVP (by Feb. 16) or for more information.

Baltimore, Md. - The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission, the state agency charged with setting rates for Maryland Hospitals, in collaboration with the Maryland Higher Education Commission, has approved funding for a Nurse Support Program (NSP) in the amount $9.4 million a year over the next 10 years to support two initiatives to help alleviate Maryland's critical shortage of nurse faculty and bedside nurses. Funding will be used to expand the pool of nurses in the Maryland by increasing the capacity of nursing programs. The first statewide initiative will provide funding for graduate nursing faculty scholarships and living expenses, new nursing faculty fellowships, and state nursing scholarship and living expenses grants. The second program, the competitive institutional grants initiative, will expand the state's nursing capacity through shared resources, increase the state's nursing faculty, increase nursing student retention, and increase the pipeline for nurse faculty. "This funding comes at a time when the state and the nation are experiencing a severe shortage of nurse faculty, which resulted in Maryland nursing schools denying admission to nearly 2,000 qualified applicants in 2003-2004," says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Dean Allan, who arrived in Maryland in 2002, has made finding solutions to the nurse and nurse faculty shortage her priority. She led her peers and collaborated with other health care providers in the state to conceive and help develop the NSP. "This state initiative is unprecedented," says Dean Allan. "Maryland needs nurses, and to get more nurses, we need the nurse faculty to educate them. This program couldn't have come at a better time." For more information about the Nurse Support Program, call 410-764-2566.

Annapolis, Md. - Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., recently re-appointed Kara M. Haire to the Governor's Wellmobile Advisory Board for a three-year term, beginning Oct. 1, 2005. Haire will lend her expertise in marketing and communications in the role of media representative on the Board. Haire, a resident of Annapolis, is local sales manager for Comcast Spotlight. She formerly owned and operated KMH consulting, LLC, a marketing, sales and market research consulting firm. Prior to starting her own business, Haire served in various advertising, marketing and communications with Allfirst Bank, Goldwell Cosmetics, Inc., and General Mills, Inc. She is a member of the Junior League of Annapolis and Leadership Anne Arundel County. The Governor's Wellmobile Program, established in 1994, operates four full-service mobile health clinics that travel across the state of Maryland providing primary health care for the state's underserved and uninsured children and adults. For more information about the Wellmobile program, call 410-706-5395.

Suzanne Gordon to discuss the problems and solutions at the University of Maryland School of Nursing on November 15th Baltimore, MD - The University of Maryland School of Nursing, which consistently ranks among the top 10 nursing schools in the nation, will host award winning journalist Suzanne Gordon for a lecture as part of their celebration of the opening of the School of Nursing's Center of Excellence in Occupational and Environmental Health and Justice. Gordon will be speaking about the tremendous national challenge involved in retaining and recruiting nurses. She will offer innovative and often controversial suggestions about how to alleviate this crisis. This lecture comes at a time when hospitals across the nation are dangerously short of experienced nurses. The University of Maryland Center for Health Workforce Development projects there will be a supply shortage of nearly 13,000 nurses by 2010 in Maryland, and a shortage of one million nurses nationally by the year 2015. "Poor working conditions have led to this shortage of experienced nurses. Recent research at the Nursing School's Center of Occupational Health and Justice shows that many nurses are frequently forced into a 'perfect storm' of 12 hour plus days and nights, with rotating shifts, combined with constantly being on call, and high patient loads, without time for rest and recovery," remarked Jeffrey Johnson, PhD - Professor at the School and involved with the Center of Excellence. "These are just the kinds of conditions," Center researchers note, "that result in stress, fatigue and increased wear and tear to nurses - making it even harder to retain experienced nurses and recruit new nurses. Additionally, research clearly demonstrates that long work hours for nurses has a direct impact on patient complications and patient mortality." Further fueling the shortage is the high stress work environment that nurses are forced to work in. Surveys of nurses consistently show that up to 41% of hospital nurses are dissatisfied with their jobs, and 22% plan to leave them in less than one year (among nurses younger than 30, this figure is 33%). Disrespectful and even disruptive behavior by physicians strongly impacts job satisfaction and morale among nurses. Although nurses have an enormous amount of responsibility for the well-being of patients, they generally lack power and authority in their work setting. Researchers at the Center of Excellence have shown that lack of decision-making authority at work is a major source of work stress for all workers that can lead to serious mental and physical health problems including back injuries and heart disease. . Gordon's critique of the nursing shortage also focuses on the way nurses have been unfairly portrayed by the media. The public doesn't understand that more than 90% of the decisions and activities that affect patient care are not up to physicians but are completely in the hands of nurses. Whether you live or die in a hospital setting can be determined by the quality of care given by your nurses, according to Gordon. Gordon's lecture will address many of the critical steps we need to take to change the odds to be more in favor of nurses and their patients. Adjusting nursing work hours, giving nurses more authority over their practice in the hospitals, and improving doctor-nurse relationships top the list of changes that need to be made. Gordon will also discuss controversial subjects like staff ratios and the unionizing of nursing. Gordon's work fits in perfectly with much of the research done by the School's Center of Occupational Health and Justice. Both Gordon and the Center are working to achieve occupational justice for nurses by striving to transform their work environment and to improve the outlook for the profession of nursing throughout the United States. Gordon will be speaking at the University of Maryland's School of Nursing, located at 655 West Lombard Street in Baltimore on Tuesday, November 15th, at 4pm. She will be available for interviews on Monday, November 14 and Tuesday, November 15. For more information, call the Office of Professional Development and Continuing Education at 410-706-3767. Registration is required for this lecture, along with a $40 fee. Suzanne Gordon is an award-winning journalist and author. She has written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, the Atlantic Monthly, the American Prospect, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and others. She's the author of five books including Life Support: Three Nurses on the Front Lines (Little Brown & Co.); and co-editor of three books and co-author of From Silence to Voice: What Nurses Know and Must Communicate to the Public. Her new book, on the nursing crisis - Nursing Against the Odds: How Health Care Cost Cutting, Media Stereotypes, and Medical Hubris Undermine Nurses and Patient Care - was published in May by Cornell University Press as part of its series on The Culture and Politics of Health Care Work.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently received a three-year, $717,881 training grant, "The Clinical Research Nurse Management Program," from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The grant will facilitate the career advancement, retention and educational component of a master's program in clinical research management at the School of Nursing. The program, the first of its kind in the state of Maryland, addresses the increasing demand for clinical research nurse managers to provide advanced leadership to the conduct of clinical trials. More than 300 biotech drug products and vaccines are currently in clinical trials, targeting more than 200 diseases, including various cancers, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and arthritis. Today's forces for change include innovations in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, new discoveries in genomic research, demands for easily accessible cost effective quality care, escalating health care needs of the uninsured population, and improving access to a diverse and culturally competent health professions workforce. “Graduates of the program will acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for assuming new or expanded roles and responsibilities within a variety of clinical research settings that also serve high risk and medically underserved patient populations,” says Heidi Ehrenberger, PhD, RN, AOCN, assistant professor and principal investigator on the grant. The ability to conduct clinical research, critical to improving human health, has become increasingly difficult. The increasing size, scope and complexity of clinical trials require nurses with expertise in the ethical, legal, regulatory, financial and clinical aspects of patient-oriented research. “Our mission is to prepare nursing leaders to shape and influence the profession and the health care environment. We have a wonderful opportunity to provide a degree-granting program, promote career development, and enhance the retention of nurses in this emerging specialty of research nursing,” says Ehrenberger. To learn more about the Clinical Research Management program, call 410-706-0501, or visitwww.nursing.umaryland.edu.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has added three new members to its Board of Visitors. Dr. Eric R. Baugh, senior vice president for medical affairs and network management, CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield, and Kathryn McCullough, MS, '79, RN, senior vice president for patient care services, University of Maryland Medical Center, will serve three-year terms on the Board, from 2005 to 2008. Caleb Rogovin, MS '92, CRNA, CCRN, CEN, assistant program director for the School of Nursing's Nurse Anesthesia program has also joined the Board as part of his duties as president of the School's Alumni Association. Steven S. Cohen, senior vice president, Integrated Operations, MedStar Health, has been named Chairman of the Board, succeeding David Oros, CEO, Aether Holdings, Inc., who has held the position for the past two years. “We welcome our new Board members and look forward to working with them on future projects to benefit the School of Nursing,” says Cohen. “We would also like to recognize the outstanding work of David Oros, who led the Board through reorganization and restructuring during his tenure as Board Chair.” Members of the Board of Visitors come from the ranks of corporate and community leadership, and from committed alumni and friends of the School. These distinguished members actively participate by lending their skills and expertise to the areas of fundraising, public relations, advocacy and education. “We are very pleased that these exemplary leaders have joined our distinguished Board of Visitors,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “Their expertise is crucial for assuring that our education, research and clinical practice programs remain relevant to the ever-changing health care system and meet the needs of the citizens of Maryland.”

First student to take advantage of offer arrives at School of Nursing Baltimore, Md. – The first student to take advantage of the University of Maryland School of Nursing's offer to admit students displaced by Hurricane Katrina began classes Tuesday, Sept. 13. Angelle McConduit, a traditional bachelor of science in nursing student, who was displaced from Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans, arrived in Baltimore full of excitement about the opportunity to resume her nursing education. “I am glad to be here, and I am honored to be accepted at one of the nation's top 10 schools of nursing,” says McConduit. “The School has accepted me, the City of Baltimore has accepted me and everyone has been so wonderful to me.” McConduit had to leave her family, including her husband and three-year-old daughter, in Baton Rouge. Once she finds housing in Baltimore, they will join her while she continues her education. “We will consider admitting displaced students to our program or provide them with assistance in locating local colleges or universities if they need to complete general education pre-requisites,” says Mary Etta Mills, ScD, RN, FAAN, associate dean for academic affairs. “We are committed to helping nursing students complete their professional studies at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels, and we look forward to facilitating their progress,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. For information about the School's admission for displaced students, call the School's Office of Admissions, 410-706-0501, or e-mail pmitchel@son.umaryland.edu.

Baltimore, Md. – Stocked with medical supplies and other necessities, two University of Maryland School of Nursing Wellmobiles departed for the Gulf Coast last week to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Wellmobiles are part of the Governor's Wellmobile program, which is operated by the School of Nursing and staffed by registered nurses and nurse practitioners from the School. The volunteer team traveling with the Wellmobiles consists of five RNs, four nurse practitioners, a School of Nursing student, two drivers and two support personnel. They are working in cooperation with the American Red Cross Headquarters in Brookhaven, Miss., where they will stay for two weeks providing primary health care to hurricane victims. According to Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, director of the Wellmobile program and one of the volunteers, most of the patients they are aiding are evacuees from New Orleans. “We are treating 200 patients per day, who have a multitude of health problems such as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, diarrhea, and many with chronic diseases that are getting worse,” says Dr. Wiseman. “Some patients have skin ulcers from being in contaminated water, some have unstable blood pressures and some are suffering from anxiety.” “We are happy to be able to provide this service to our fellow Americans on the Gulf Coast,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “However, we need financial assistance to support the cost of the trip.” Dean Allan says the cost of the trip is estimated at $200,000, and, while the effort is supported in part by CareFirst, the University of Maryland Medical System, Atlantic General Hospital and Connect Maryland, Inc., more funds are desperately needed to cover the remainder of the expense. To help raise monies, Baltimore philanthropists David and Marla Oros are conducting a fundraising effort through their non-profit organization, Connect Maryland, Inc. Donations can be sent to: Connect Maryland, Inc., Attn: Mark Dewire, 100 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Please make checks payable to: Connect Maryland, Inc. Memo: Wellmobile. The Governor's Wellmobile Program began in 1994 as a public/private partnership, under the leadership of Delegate Marilyn Goldwater, RN. Today, the School of Nursing operates four 33-foot long Wellmobile vans – two on Maryland's Eastern Shore, one in Central Maryland and one in Western Maryland. Last year, the Wellmobile program provided primary health care to 6,000 uninsured and underinsured individuals.

Baltimore, Md. – Two Wellmobiles from the University of Maryland School of Nursing's Governor's Wellmobile Program left for Montgomery, Ala., Wednesday, Sept. 7, where they will provide primary health care to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Wellmobiles will report directly to the American Red Cross Headquarters in Montgomery, where they will stay for two weeks, serving approximately 7,000 displaced hurricane victims. Stocked to the brim with medical supplies and other necessities, the Wellmobiles departed from the School of Nursing with Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, director of the Wellmobile program, leading the way. In addition to Dr. Wiseman, four more RNs, one of whom is a BSN student at the School of Nursing; four nurse practitioners; one nursing student, two Wellmobile drivers and one RV driver, were among the School of Nursing's team. While this effort is supported in part by CareFirst, the University of Maryland Medical System, Atlantic General Hospital and Connect Maryland, Inc., more funds are desperately needed to cover the cost of the trip, estimated at $200,000. David and Marla Oros are conducting this fundraising effort through their non-profit organization, Connect Maryland, Inc. Donations can be sent to: Connect Maryland, Inc., Attn: Mark Dewire, 100 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Please make checks payable to: Connect Maryland, Inc. Memo: Wellmobile. The Governor's Wellmobile Program began in 1994 as a private/public partnership. The School of Nursing currently operates four 33' long Wellmobiles, each equipped with two examination rooms; a reception and education room; a laboratory; and computer, fax and cell phone capability. Two Wellmobiles operate on Maryland's Eastern Shore, one operates in Central Maryland and one in Western Maryland. Services include health screenings, health education, physical examinations, smoking prevention programs, immunizations, well-child care, vision and hearing screenings, detection and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, laboratory tests and diagnosis, and treatment/referral for illnesses.

WHAT: Two Wellmobiles from the University of Maryland School of Nursing's Governor's Wellmobile Program will report to the American Red Cross Headquarters in Montgomery, Alabama to help victims of Hurricane Katrina for two weeks. DEPARTING: Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005 at 5:00 a.m. from the University of Maryland School of Nursing , 655 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 (Rear of building – access off Pratt Street or Penn Street). STAFF: Four nurse practitioners, four registered nurses, two drivers and two support people from the School of Nursing will be traveling with the Wellmobiles. ABOUT THE WELLMOBILES: The Governor's Wellmobile Program began in 1994 as a private/public partnership. The School of Nursing currently operates four 33' long Wellmobiles, each equipped with two examination rooms; a reception and education room; a laboratory; and computer, fax and cell phone capability. Two Wellmobiles operate on Maryland's Eastern Shore, one operates in Central Maryland and one in Western Maryland. Services include health screenings, health education, physical examinations, smoking prevention programs, immunizations, well-child care, vision and hearing screenings, detection and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, laboratory tests and diagnosis, and treatment/referral for illnesses. SUPPORTING THE EFFORT:This effort is supported in part by CareFirst, the University of Maryland Medical System, Atlantic General Hospital, and Connect Maryland, Inc. However, due to the enormous expense of sending the Wellmobiles to Alabama (estimated at $200,000 total for the two week period), David and Marla Oros are conducting a fundraising effort through their non-profit organization, Connect Maryland, Inc. Donations can be forwarded to: Connect Maryland, Inc., Attn: Mark Dewire, 100 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Make checks payable to: Connect Maryland, Inc. Memo: Wellmobile.

Baltimore, Md. – Connect Maryland, Inc., a non-profit organization aimed at helping improve the health, education and leadership skills of Maryland youth, is calling for donations to support costs associated with sending two Wellmobiles to Montgomery, Ala., to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Wellmobiles are part of the Governor's Wellmobile program, which is operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and staffed by registered nurses and nurse practitioners from the School of Nursing. The two vans, which will depart from the School of Nursing at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, will report to the American Red Cross Headquarters in Montgomery, where they will stay for two weeks, providing primary health care to hurricane victims. While this effort is supported in part by CareFirst, the University of Maryland Medical System, Atlantic General Hospital and Connect Maryland, Inc., more funds are desperately needed to cover the cost of the trip, estimated at $200,000. David and Marla Oros are conducting this fundraising effort through their non-profit organization, Connect Maryland, Inc. Donations can be sent to: Connect Maryland, Inc., Attn: Mark Dewire, 100 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Please make checks payable to: Connect Maryland, Inc. Memo: Wellmobile.

Baltimore, Md. – In 2003, nearly 2,000 qualified applicants were denied admission to associate degree and baccalaureate nursing programs in Maryland, due primarily to lack of faculty. To address this critical and growing health workforce problem, the University of Maryland School of Nursing is partnering with Shady Grove Adventist Hospital (SGAH) in a new initiative, Teach for the Health of It, a unique grant with the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to move a significant number of Registered Nurses (RNs) into faculty positions in a short period of time. The School of Nursing and SGAH have established an agreement where the School will use the hospital's master's prepared specialists as clinical faculty for traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students attending the Universities at Shady Grove, where the School of Nursing offers a full BSN program. This agreement will allow the School to admit an additional eight BSN students in fall 2005. The School will pay SGAH for the use of these faculty members while they remain on the hospital's payroll. SGAH can utilize up to $10,000 per nurse to prepare faculty and advance their future needs for master's prepared nurses. “There is no quick solution to the nursing faculty shortage,” says Kathryn Montgomery, PhD, RN, associate dean for organizational partnerships, outreach and clinical enterprise at the School of Nursing . “However, it is our hope that this partnership will open doors to future collaborations in our quest to help address the critical nurse and nurse faculty shortages.

Baltimore, Md. – Frederick resident Jamie Boswell was recently named the first recipient of the newly created Alice Catharine Horine Scigliano Nursing Scholarship from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The $2,000 award for the 2005-2006 academic year supplements tuition for Boswell, who will graduate in spring 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Boswell holds a BA in Biology from Hood College. She previously worked at the National Cancer Institute, Ft. Detrick, Md., and volunteered at Frederick Memorial Hospital. The Scigliano Nursing Scholarship is funded by a $50,000 endowment contributed by John A. Scigliano, PhD, in memory of his late wife Alice, a 1945 graduate of the School of Nursing. Dr. Scigliano, who received his graduate degrees from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, created the scholarship to encourage students from Western Maryland to pursue a degree in nursing. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must fulfill all qualifications for enrollment at, and be accepted by, the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Scholarships will be awarded annually, with preference given to students from Frederick, Garrett, Allegany and Washington Counties. For more information about the Scigliano Nursing Scholarship, call the School of Nursing's Office of Admissions, 410-706-0501. For information about other scholarship opportunities at the School of Nursing, call 410-706-7347, or visit www.umaryland.edu/fin/.

Baltimore, Md. – Major General Gale Susan Pollock, the 22nd Chief of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, will deliver the Convocation address at the University of Maryland School of Nursing's graduation ceremony, being held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 20, at the Lyric Opera House. The School of Nursing will graduate the largest class of nurses in the state – 395 bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), 180 master of science, 15 post-master's and 13 PhDs – a total of 603 graduates. Later in the day, Pollock will receive an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, at their Commencement exercises at First Mariner Arena (3 p.m.). An alumna of the School of Nursing, Pollock received her BSN in 1976 through the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing program. She received a master's in business administration from Boston University, a master's in health care administration from Baylor University, and a master's in national security and strategy from the National Defense University. She is a certified registered nurse anesthetist and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Pollock's military education includes Senior Service College at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the U.S. Air Force Air War College, the Interagency Institute for Federal Healthcare Executives, the Military Health System CAPSTONE program, the Principles of Advanced Nurse Administrators and the NATO Staff Officer Course. Pollock's past military assignments include special assistant to the Surgeon General for Information Management and Health Policy; commander, Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, Ga.; commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Drum, N.Y.; staff officer, Strategic Initiatives Command Group for the Army Surgeon General; Department of Defense (DOD) health care advisor to the Congressional Commission on Service members and Veterans Transition Assistance; health fitness advisor at the National Defense University; senior policy analyst in Health Affairs, DOD; and chief, Anesthesia Nursing Service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. Pollock's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. She earned the coveted Expert Field Medic Badge, and she is proud to wear the Parachutist Badge. She received the Army Staff Identification Badge for her work at the Pentagon and also earned the German Armed Forces Military Efficiency Badge “Leistungsabzeichen” in gold.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently conferred Emeritus status upon a former dean and three former faculty members. Dean and Professor Emeritus Nan B. Hechenberger, PhD, RN, served as dean of the School of Nursing from 1978 to 1989. During her tenure as dean, one of the nation's first doctoral programs designated for nurses was established, the School's first strategic plan was initiated, the first Board of Visitors was appointed and the world's first master's program in nursing informatics was introduced. Prior to serving as dean, Dr. Hechenberger taught in the administration and education component of the graduate program and in the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing (WRAIN) program. Professor Emeritus Ann Ottney Cain, PhD, RN, CSP, FAAN, served more than 30 years as a member of the School's faculty, beginning in 1959 as a clinical instructor in the psychiatric component of the undergraduate program and retiring in 1994 as associate dean for graduate studies and research. Dr. Cain was a pioneer and self-proclaimed maverick in the early days of psychiatric nursing and family therapy, and in 1967, she broke new ground by declaring family therapy a professional option for psychiatric advanced practice nurses. An endowed lecture in psychiatric nursing, named in her honor, is held annually at the School. Professor Emeritus Lisa Robinson, PhD, MS ‘65, CS-P, FAAN, a graduate of the School of Nursing's Master of Science program, began her career as a faculty member at the School in 1970. She later served in various administrative roles, including interim department chair and coordinator of the graduate program in psychiatric mental health nursing. Dr. Robinson is an originator and champion of the role of psychiatric consultation-liaison nurse, and produced a documentary film that garnered appreciation for the unique contributions of nurses in this role. Professor Emeritus Betty Shubkagel, PhD, BSN '54, RN, is a graduate of the School of Nursing's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Her tenure at the School spanned nearly three decades, beginning in 1957 as a faculty member in the undergraduate program. When Dr. Shubkagel retired in 1985, she was chair of the Medical-Surgical graduate program, and had developed the School's Gerontology and Trauma/Critical graduate programs. She is co-author of the classic pharmacology text, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, first published in 1965. “Each of these individuals has made a major impact on the nursing profession and on our School,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “In honoring these scholars, we honor the values of education, research, service and leadership to the School, the community and the nursing profession.

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Baltimore, Md. – Susan M. Wozenski, JD, MPH, vice chair and assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been named as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women for 2005. The annual award program, established by The Daily Record in 1996, recognizes 100 of Maryland's leading women who are making an impact on the state. The award was created to recognize the outstanding achievements of professional women who reside or work in Maryland. Also named to the Top 100 list for 2005 were School of Nursing alumnae Donna M. Dorsey, executive director, Maryland Board of Nursing; Del. Adelaide “Addie" Eckardt, Maryland House of Delegates; and Del. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, Maryland House of Delegates. “We are extremely proud of Professor Wozenski and our alumnae who have achieved this distinguished honor,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. Awardees will be formally recognized at the 2005 Top 100 Women Celebration to be held May 18 at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently added four new members to its Board of Visitors. The new members, who will serve three-year terms from 2005 to 2008, include Suzanne Beckner, PhD, associate director of clinical trials at Westat; Debra Doyle, MBA, vice president of operations management at Erickson Retirement Communities; Antonella Favit-Van Pelt, MD, PhD, medical director, Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental Medicine at Guilford Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and Joan B. Gillece, PhD, director, Division of Special Needs Populations, Mental Hygiene Administration, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “We welcome our new Board members and look forward to working with them on future projects to benefit the School of Nursing,” says David Oros, president and CEO of Aether Systems and chairman of the School's Board of Visitors. Members of the Board of Visitors come from the ranks of corporate and community leadership, and from committed alumni and friends of the School. These distinguished members actively participate by lending their skills and expertise to the areas of fundraising, public relations, advocacy and education. “We are very pleased that these exemplary leaders have joined our distinguished Board of Visitors,” said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “Their expertise is crucial for assuring that our education, research and clinical practice programs remain relevant to the ever-changing health care system and meet the needs of the citizens of Maryland.”

Baltimore, Md. – The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation, the Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation and the Clayton Baker Trust recently pledged a total of $400,000 to support the “Maryland Initiative: Hospitals for a Healthy Environment,” a grant to develop and implement a statewide initiative to decrease environmental health risks associated with health care delivery in Maryland. The goal of the project is to improve the quality of the state's health care delivery system by decreasing the toxic chemicals that are purchased, utilized and disposed of in the process of providing health care. According to the Center for Disease Control's 2003 release, Human Exposure Report , our most sensitive populations – children and women of childbearing age – have higher body levels of mercury, pesticides and other chemicals harmful to human health and the environment. Many of these chemicals are ever-present in the health care setting. “There are measurable amounts of dioxins, pesticides, solvents, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and other potentially toxic chemicals in all of our bodies,” says Barbara Sattler, DrPH, RN, FAAN, research associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and director of the School of Nursing's Environmental Health Education Center. “Once inside our bodies, there is no effective way for us to rid them, so we must focus on preventing these substances from getting into our bodies in the first place.” “Hospitals for a Healthy Environment” addresses the need to improve practices, policies and purchasing decisions within the health care delivery sector in order to reduce and eliminate the associated environmental risks. The Maryland Hospital Association, the Maryland Nurses Association, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and the Health Care Without Harm Campaign are partnering with the School of Nursing's Environmental Health Education Center, which staffs nursing-related activities within the national Health Care Without Harm Campaign. Building on work already planned in the state of Maryland, this collaboration seeks to educate the Maryland health care industry about the links between environmental toxins and human health; motivate and assist the health care industry in making necessary changes for cleaning up Maryland health institutions; shift the market in favor of alternative medical waste treatment technologies and products; and work with health care professionals to engage new sectors of the community in becoming advocates for environmental health and justice in the larger society. The University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation, Inc., on behalf of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, administers funds for this initiative.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing is one of 10 academic institutions collaborating to develop a digital storehouse of e-learning materials and a wide range of educational products and services for use in nursing education worldwide. The purpose of the venture - the International Virtual Nursing School (IVINURS) - is to provide global educational solutions to meet local health care needs through a collaborative network of international partner institutions. The School of Nursing was selected for membership in IVINURS based on its outstanding nursing and distance learning programs. Other partner institutions include Akershus University College, Norway; Chaing Mai University, Thailand; Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mid-Jutland Nursing Schools, Denmark; Queens University, Belfast; and Napier University, University of Dundee, University of Southampton and University of York, all located in the United Kingdom. "We are honored to be one of the founding partners in this collaborative learning program," says Janet Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. "IVINURS is a unique opportunity for sharing and developing e-learning materials to improve learning experiences for both students and faculty." IVINURS has adopted an educational approach that promotes best practices in learning and teaching. It is centralizing quality, reusable learning objects, including multi-media, clinical case studies, learning modules and full courses, making them accessible to others around the world to modify or use "as is" to meet their specific needs. "This approach is especially significant in times of shrinking budgets and nurse and nursing faculty shortages, since it reduces duplication of production time and efforts in creating quality nursing learning materials," says Barbara Covington, PhD, RN, associate dean for information and learning technology at the School of Nursing, who chairs the IVINURS' Technology Task Force and is a member of its Board of Directors. IVINURS was formally implemented at a meeting of the Founding Partner Institutions held in November 2004 in Edinburgh, Scotland, when a Board of Directors was established and the non-profit company, IVINURS, Ltd., was formed. In addition to Dr. Covington, other representatives from the School of Nursing include Carolyn F. Waltz, PhD, RN, FAAN, director of international activities, who serves on the Education Task Force; and Ann Thomasson, associate dean for finance and administration, who serves on the Finance Task Force

New Institute for Nurse Educators will help address nurse and nurse faculty shortages Baltimore, Md. – The Institute for Nurse Educators, a new initiative at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, will benefit from funding in the recently approved FY05 Federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The $248,000 grant to establish the Institute at the School of Nursing - pursued by Senator Barbara Mikulski and Representatives Elijah Cummings and Steny Hoyer - will help address a nationwide shortage of nurses and the critically needed nursing faculty. The Institute will prepare nurses with the essential knowledge and skills to assume teaching roles in Maryland and the surrounding region. A recent informal survey conducted by the School of Nursing revealed that last year, nearly 2,000 qualified applicants were denied admission to associate degree and baccalaureate nursing programs in Maryland, due primarily to a lack of faculty. "The shortage of nurses is a severe public health crisis and is projected to worsen without significant action," says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. "Clearly, we cannot educate more nurses without additional nursing faculty. While there is no quick solution to the nurse faculty shortage, our Institute for Nurse Educators will help us make major strides towards alleviating the problem." The Institute, under the leadership of Interim Directors Drs. Louise Jenkins and Carol O'Neil, includes a "Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions" master's certificate program for an education minor or as part of a master's degree, a doctoral degree, or a post-master's certificate for nurses or other professionals. The 12-credit curriculum is offered in the classroom and via web-based courses. This December, six nurses and one genetics counselor will be the first cohort to complete the certificate program. It is anticipated that the Institute will produce new initiatives and programs, including e-learning, faculty development, continuing education, and the development of the Maryland Faculty in Nursing and Health Professions Network. "I'm so proud of this federal investment in the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to establish an Institute for Nurse Educators," says Senator Barbara Mikulski. "No school should have to turn away nursing students for lack of faculty, and these funds will address this critical shortage of nurse educators." "We are extremely grateful to Maryland's entire congressional delegation, especially Senator Mikulski and Representatives Cummings and Hoyer, for their work in support of the Institute and this funding," says Dean Allan.

Industry Leader Credits Hard Work, Determination, Licensing Fees as Keys to its Success Baltimore, Md. – The Americans for Nursing Shortage Relief Alliance, an alliance comprised of over 50 nursing organizations, in cooperation with Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), will brief U.S. Congressional staff members on the nation's growing nurse faculty shortage at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 902 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. A staunch supporter of nursing education, Sen. Mikulski has worked continuously for funding increases in Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act as amended by the Nurse Reinvestment Act, and has helped champion that act through the Senate. Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, will moderate the panel discussion, “The Other Side of the Nursing Shortage: The Faculty Crisis.” Topics of discussion include: Current Nursing Shortage Statistics, The Faculty Shortage in the Clinical and Academic Arenas, Diversity and Healthcare, and Innovative Ways to Address the Problem. The briefing comes at a time when our nation is facing a critical and growing shortage of nursing faculty, which most people are not aware of. In 2003, baccalaureate nursing programs turned away nearly 16,000 qualified applicants across the country, primarily due to lack of faculty. Maryland baccalaureate and associate degree nursing programs turned away 1,850 qualified applicants. For more information about the briefing, contact Vanessa Kearney at 202-626-2250 orvkearney@aha.org.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing launched a new honors program this fall to recruit outstanding students and prepare them for leadership roles in clinical, research and academic settings. The program is designed to produce highly educated professional nurses to help alleviate the national nurse and nurse faculty shortages, and to meet the needs of the health care system of the 21st century. Sponsored by the Aaron Straus and Lillie Straus Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the Central Scholarship Bureau, the program will provide special clinical and research opportunities for exceptional students seeking a challenging educational experience where they will learn and practice collaboratively in an interdisciplinary health care environment. Excellence in scholarship, clinical skills and research will be promoted through enriched coursework, involvement in research and intensive mentoring relationships with School of Nursing faculty. Students will be selected on the basis of their (outstanding) achievements in previous college coursework, curriculum, honors essay, school and community service, and school evaluation. "The honors program is attractive to me because of the opportunity to have a mentor," says Katharine Giancola, one of the first 11 students chosen for the program. "Also, it is a 'program within a program,' which I believe will be an asset for learning." "As a national leader in nursing education, research and clinical practice, the School of Nursing recognizes the need for highly skilled nursing leaders," says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. "We have initiated this program to attract the best and brightest students who will be educated to meet the health care challenges of the future." For more information about the School of Nursing's honors program, call the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, 410-706-0501.

Baltimore, Md. – A new Master of Science (M.S.) program in Clinical Research Management will debut this fall at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The program was developed in response to the increasing demand for nurse leaders who are able to manage clinical research studies in collaboration with principal investigators - a demand created by the rapid growth in clinical trial research designed to test new pharmacological agents and technical devices as treatments and diagnostic interventions for use in patient care. The Clinical Research Management specialty will address the need for nursing professionals prepared to organize and manage clinical trials through the application of expert knowledge in areas such as protocol interpretation, data monitoring, research ethics and federal regulations. "The size, scope and complexity of clinical research studies requires leadership, coordination and management by nursing leaders," says Mary Etta Mills, ScD, RN, FAAN, associate dean for academic affairs. "This new program will help prepare nursing professionals for this growing need." Students can complete the M.S. degree with 30 credits that can be taken part-time or in two semesters of full-time study. A post-master's certificate can be completed with 16 credits of coursework. Call 410-706-0501 for more information, or visit www.nursing.umaryland.edu.

Baltimore, Md. - The University of Maryland School of Nursing is launching an Institute for Nurse Educators this fall to address the critical and growing shortage of nursing faculty in Maryland and across the nation. A recent survey conducted by the School of Nursing revealed that Maryland's nursing schools turned away nearly 2,000 qualified Associate in Arts and Bachelor of Science in Nursing applicants last year, due mostly to the lack of faculty. This does not bode well for Maryland hospitals, who continue to experience a shortage of nurses (10.8 percent in 2003, as reported by the Maryland Hospital Association), and who rely on area nursing schools to help fill those positions. To work as a faculty member, nurses must have a master's degree in nursing or a related field or a doctoral degree. To this end, the Institute will centralize nurse education resources to prepare nurses with the essential knowledge and skills they need to assume educator roles in both academic and clinical settings. The Institute will provide classroom and web-based courses for an education minor as part of a master's degree, a doctoral degree, or a post-master's certificate for nurses or other health care professionals. A variety of ongoing professional development courses for current faculty and clinical nurse educators will also be offered. "There is no quick solution to the nurse faculty shortage," says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. "However, the Institute for Nurse Educators will help us make major strides towards alleviating the problem by focusing our attention on the recruitment and preparation of nurses for faculty roles." For more information, contact interim program co-directors Louise Jenkins, PhD, RN, associate professor, 410-706-4296 or e-mail jenkins@son.umaryand.edu or Carol O'Neil, PhD, RN, assistant professor, 410-706-8706 or e-mail oneil@son.umaryland.edu.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently added three new members to its Board of Visitors. The new members, who will serve three-year terms from 2004-2007, include Steven S. Cohen, FACHE, senior vice president, Integrated Operations, MedStar Health; Frances L. Lessans, RN, president, Passport Health; and William A. Zellmer, deputy executive vice president, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. "We welcome our new Board members and look forward to working with them on future projects to benefit the School of Nursing," said David Oros, president and CEO of Aether Systems and chairman of the School's Board of Visitors. Members of the Board of Visitors come from the ranks of corporate and community leadership, and from committed alumni and friends of the School. These distinguished members actively participate by lending their skills and expertise to the areas of fundraising, public relations, advocacy and education. "We are very pleased that these exemplary leaders have joined our distinguished Board of Visitors," said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. "Their expertise is crucial for assuring that our education, research and clinical practice programs remain relevant to the ever-changing health care system and meet the needs of the citizens of Maryland."

Baltimore, Md. – Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, recently announced the establishment of the School of Nursing's first Center for Research Excellence, The Center for Occupational and Environmental Health and Justice. The new Center is the first of several being developed under the Strategic Initiatives set forth in the School's 2003-2006 Strategic Plan. "Such Centers build on strengths in a focused area of scholarship to provide an environment for expansion of the knowledge base, integration with focused education and practice initiatives, and the mentoring of new scholars," said Dean Allan. "We are excited about the establishment of our first Center, and we look forward to initiating other Centers within the next three years." The new Center for Excellence will concentrate the expertise of senior researchers in occupational and community health to expand its research agenda in health care worker safety to better understand the complex issues that contribute to adverse affects on the physical and psychological well being of health care employees. In addition, in response to increased concern among citizens about environmental health hazards and risks in their communities, the School is leading innovative education and outreach initiatives that integrate environmental health perspectives into health care delivery and identify opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration between environmentalists and health care communities. Some of the Center's current projects include the formation of a Hazardous Substance Research Center, a statewide asthma initiative, community assistance on hazardous waste sites, "greening" the School of Nursing, educating nurses and physicians about pesticide poisoning, development of national environmental health projects, and more. Researchers who make up the Center have generated more than $7 million in research awards since 2001. "In a time of dwindling faculty resources, it is wise to identify priorities, build upon our strengths, and recognize the stellar efforts of highly productive faculty researchers," says Barbara Smith, PhD, RN, FACSM, FAAN, associate dean for research. "These new Centers for Research Excellence will help us achieve these initiatives."

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently received accreditation for a new nurse anesthesia master's program, and will begin classes this fall. Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses who administer anesthesia to patients for both major and minor procedures. Nationally, more than 65 percent of the 26 million anesthetics administered each year are given by certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). According to a recent Maryland Hospital Association survey, nurse anesthetists have the highest job vacancy rate (16.6 percent in 2003 and 22 percent in 2002) of the 42 job categories surveyed. This shortfall will only grow as the state's over-65 population increases, according to Patricia Gonce Morton, PhD, RN, ACNP, FAAN, assistant dean for master's studies at the School of Nursing. "This CRNA shortage has an impact on health care, especially among the state's underserved and rural populations, where CRNAs administer the majority of anesthesia," says Morton, who helped spearhead the new nurse anesthesia program. The School was asked to start a CRNA program by the Maryland chapter of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists due to the shortage and because there was no nurse anesthesia program in the state, Morton explains. "The reasons for the CRNA shortage are many," says Caleb Rogovin, MS, CRNA, CCRN, CEN, assistant director of the nurse anesthesia program. "One key reason is greater demand. People are living longer and undergoing more medical and surgical procedures than ever before. For these, they need anesthesia." The School's nurse anesthesia master's is a 72-credit program that will take 2-1/2 years to complete and will offer students clinical experiences at the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kernan Hospital, and other hospitals around the state. Admission to the nurse anesthesia program is already competitive. According to Morton, the School received more than 45 applications for a mere 18 slots. Frankie Purifoy, BSN, RN, who will be part of the first nurse anesthesia program class, was working as a traveling nurse at Sinai Hospital when she heard about the new program from a colleague. "I love the autonomy and critical thinking that is involved in the specialty," says Purifoy, who was interested in becoming a CRNA even before she finished nursing school. "Nurse anesthesia will keep me stimulated throughout my career. I can't wait for classes to start." The School of Nursing's nurse anesthesia program will be directed by Mark Kossick, CRNA, DNSc, who will come to the School from the University of Alabama at Birmingham later this summer.

Anapolis, Md. – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., recently appointed Sarah Callanan to the Governor's Wellmobile Advisory Board, where she will lend her expertise in family health care. The Wellmobile Board assists the University of Maryland School of Nursing in overseeing and raising funds for the Governor's Wellmobile Program. Callanan is a family nurse practitioner for the Anne Arundel Medical Center, and serves as the clinical provider for the Anne Arundel County Outreach Clinic, which serves uninsured citizens of Anne Arundel County. Callanan holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and attended graduate school at Georgetown University. She resides on the Eastern Shore with her husband and two children. The Governor's Wellmobile Program, established in 1994 as a partnership among the public, private and philanthropic sectors, operates four full-service mobile health clinics that travel across the state of Maryland. Operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and staffed by its nurse practitioner faculty and students, the Wellmobiles offer regular, continuing health care for underserved and uninsured children and adults throughout Maryland. For more information about the Wellmobile Program, call 410-706-5395.

Baltimore, Md. – The American Association of Colleges of Nursing's (AACN) Government Affairs Committee (GAC) recently named Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, as Maryland's liaison to its new State Grassroots Liaison Program. State liaisons will work with AACN staff and the GAC to coordinate AACN member visits to their Senators during the AACN's fall and spring annual meetings; mentor less experienced deans, directors, and chairs in Capitol Hill visits; inform GAC and AACN staff of state legislative issues related to nursing education and research; advise the GAC on educational needs of the AACN membership; and serve in the role for two years with the possibility of reappointment. "I am honored to represent our state and work with the other academic nursing leaders in this important effort to strengthen advocacy for nursing education and research," said Dean Janet Allan.

Baltimore, Md. – During their annual spring meeting held in Washington, D.C., the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) honored Senator Barbara Mikulski for her outstanding leadership and dedicated service on behalf of nursing education. Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and seven other Maryland nursing school leaders presented the award to Sen. Mikulski on behalf of the AACN. Sen. Mikulski led the initiative in 2002 to pass the Nurse Reinvestment Act to recruit and retain nurses. In 2003, she added an amendment to the appropriations bill for funding of the Act, and she continues to lead efforts to increase funding for nursing workforce development programs. "We cannot thank Sen. Mikulski enough for her efforts on behalf of nursing and nursing education," said Dean Allan. "Her support is truly appreciated, particularly in this time of severe nurse and nurse faculty shortages." Other Maryland nursing school leaders attending the ceremony were Noel Eller, PhD, RN, assistant professor of nursing, Bowie State University; Gina Brown, PhD, RN, chair, Edyth T. James Department of Nursing, Columbia Union College; Marcella A. Copes, PhD, RN, dean, Helene Fuld School of Nursing, Coppin State University; Martha Hill, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing; Jacquelyn D. Jordan, PhD, RN, academic chairperson, Department of Nursing, Towson University; Patricia Hinton Walker, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; and Judith A. Feustle, ScD, RN, director, Nursing Division, Villa Julie College.

Baltimore, Md. – Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been named as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women for 2004. The annual award program, established by The Daily Record in 1996, recognizes 100 of Maryland's leading women who are making an impact on the state. The award was created to recognize the outstanding achievements of professional women who reside or work in Maryland. Also named to the Top 100 list for 2004 was Karen Kauffman, PhD, RN, an Associate Professor at the School of Nursing and Lynne Brick, a member of the School's Board of Visitors, who was named to The Circle of Excellence for Sustained Achievement - The Top 100 Women's Hall of Fame for being named three times to this distinguished list. Awardees will be formally recognized at the 2004 Top 100 Women Celebration to be held on May 4 at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore.

Baltimore, Md. – Esther E. McCready, DIN '53, the first African-American to gain admittance to the University of Maryland School of Nursing, will be inducted into the 2004 Maryland Women's Hall of Fame at a special ceremony on March 23 in Annapolis. Four other Maryland women will also be honored. Established in 1985 by the Maryland Commission for Women and the Women Legislators of Maryland, the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame honors Maryland women who have made unique and lasting contributions to the economic, political, cultural and social life of the state and provide visible models of achievement for tomorrow's female leaders. http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/educ/exhibits/womenshall/html/whfl... A Baltimore native, McCready was admitted to the School of Nursing in 1950 at a time when the School did not admit African-Americans. But her admission did not come easy. Upon initial denial for entry to the School, and with the help of her attorney Thurgood Marshall, who had already gained prominence for his work with the NAACP, McCready sued for admission to Maryland's school. On April 14, 1950, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in her favor and she won the right to attend the University of Maryland School of Nursing. This ruling only marked the beginning of McCready's struggle for justice and equality. During her years at the School, she faced students who were hostile to her, professors who ignored her and supervisors who attempted to sabotage her work. Yet, through it all, she maintained a quiet dignity and determination that could not be defeated. Upon graduation in 1953, she passed the State Nursing Boards on her first attempt and began a career that included nursing, teaching and public speaking. She worked for several hospitals, health centers and universities in both Baltimore and New York. A trained opera singer who holds a master's degree in music, McCready traveled as part of the chorus with opera singers. She sang in the chorus for the Metropolitan Opera's production of Porgy and Bess and toured with opera singer Grace Bumbry. She also taught Raven Symone, the child-actress who played Olivia on The Cosby Show. Described as "eloquent," "feisty," "pioneer," "hero" and "brave," McCready's courage and determination helped opened the doors for generations of African-American nursing students, for whom she has served as a mentor and role model. Today, the School of Nursing boasts a minority enrollment of over one-third, the largest component being African-American. "While Esther McCready doesn't think of herself as a pioneer, but just as someone who had the inner strength to do what she had to do, her legacy and impact leave little doubt that a pioneer is precisely what she is," says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. "We are honored to count her among our cadre of distinguished alumni, and we congratulate her for this extraordinary achievement."

Baltimore, Md. – Deborah B. McGuire, PhD, RN, FAAN, an internationally respected oncology researcher, will join the University of Maryland School of Nursing faculty in January 2004 as a professor in the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. She will be responsible for coordinating the School of Nursing's oncology master's program, providing leadership and support to faculty and students, strengthening the research focus in oncology and gerontology, and increasing research opportunities in palliative and supportive care. McGuire has an extensive research background investigating bio-behavioral interventions for cancer pain, occurrence, quality of life, treatment outcomes, and experiences of cancer patients and efficacy of cancer treatments. Her focus on oncology and palliative and supportive care demonstrates an awareness of research that is of critical importance worldwide. McGuire comes to the School from her previous position as associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and as director of the Institutional NRSA (T32 NR 07036) Nursing Research Training: Psychosocial Oncology and HIV/AIDS. Prior to that position, she was the first holder of the Edith Folsom Honeycutt Chair in Oncology Nursing at Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. In 2002, she was a co-recipient of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing's Pinnacle Award for Research Utilization. She was recently elected vice president of the International Society for Oral Oncology. McGuire also serves as a consultant to several pharmaceutical advisory boards and is a reviewer of psychosocial behavioral research grants for the American Cancer Society. "We are happy to have someone of Dr. McGuire's caliber join our cadre of research faculty and help us advance our mission of research, teaching and practice," says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently announced that Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAAN, Associate Professor, Department of Adult Health Nursing, has been awarded a $3,147,694 grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Department of Health and Human Services, to support her five-year study, Testing a Restorative Care Nursing Program. The primary goals of the study are to implement a two-tiered program that incorporates self-efficacy based interventions for both nursing assistants and long-term care residents to improve functional performance, maintain or improve range of motion and muscle strength, decrease falls and fall related injuries, and improve quality of life in long-term care residents. "While there are some subjective reports on the benefits of these types of programs, there is little quantitative evidence to support the widespread use of the programs," stated Dr. Resnick. "This study will help determine the effectiveness of restorative care programs and provide a realistic model for integration of the programs into all long-term care facilities." The ultimate goal of the program, according to Dr. Resnick, is to alter the current philosophy of care in long-term care facilities to one that focuses on function. In addition, it is anticipated that the study will ultimately help improve clinical outcomes and to inform policy makers about the effectiveness of restorative care programs.

Baltimore, Md. – Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, recently announced the appointments of two new associate deans. Barbara G. Covington, PhD, RN, has been appointed associate dean for information and learning technologies and associate professor in the Department of Organizational Systems/Adult Health (OSAH), and Barbara Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been appointed associate dean for research and professor, OSAH. In her role as associate dean for information and learning technologies, Dr. Covington will provide leadership and direction to network and computer support services, the IT Customer Service Window, the clinical simulation laboratories, and distance learning and web-based programs. She will also provide leadership in strategic planning related to the integration of innovative, effective and efficient information and learning technology systems into the educational programs of the School of Nursing. Covington will be responsible for the development, implementation and continuing evaluation of these systems and for supporting both faculty and students in integrating current and future technology into the teaching and learning process in the traditional classroom, in clinical settings and in distance learning environments. Covington comes to the School from her previous position as associate dean for information technology and curriculum resources and assistant professor at the School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she provided leadership and direction for the School of Nursing's network and computer support services, the curriculum resource center, the clinical simulation laboratories, distance learning and web enhanced programs. In addition, she taught health care and nursing informatics in both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Covington possesses over 30 years experience in civilian and military health care systems, distance education and health care informatics. In the past eight years, she has focused her teaching, consulting and research on innovative teaching/learning approaches in both patient and nursing education, using technology, copyright law in distance education and health care systems implementation. She has done information and technology support and web design work on funded grants with the Department of Nursing, Veterans Administration Hospital, San Antonio; the National Institute on Aging; the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation; and the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research. Under Dr. Barbara Smith's leadership, the Office of Research will build an effective infrastructure that supports and facilitates the research faculty, while creating synergy between researchers and other collaborators across the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus to continue the School's success as a premiere research institution. Smith has an extensive research background investigating the effects of exercise in a variety of chronically ill populations including cardiovascular disease, HIV, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. She has had continuous funding over the last decade and has served as a regular member of the National Institute of Nursing Research's (NINR) IRG; chair of the American Nurses Foundation's Scientific Review Committee, and as an ad hoc member of numerous special emphasis panels for the National Institutes of Health/Center for Scientific Review, reviewing proposals from NINR, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; and the National Institute of Mental Health. She is a senior scientist in the Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Center for AIDS Research and the Clinical Nutrition Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Smith comes to the School of Nursing from her previous position as professor and Marie L. O'Koren Endowed Chair at the UAB School of Nursing. In addition, she was a Sparkman Scholar at the UAB's Sparkman Center for International Public Health where she worked with nurse faculty to build research capacity in Lusaka, Zambia. "We are privileged to have these two exceptional professionals join our cadre of distinguished faculty," said Dean Allan. "I look forward to working with them as we continue to advance the mission of the School of Nursing."

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing announced today that David Oros, chairman and chief executive officer of Aether Systems, Inc., a global leader in wireless business solutions, has been named chairman of its Board of Visitors "I am honored to accept the role as chairman," said Oros. "I look forward to helping this top 10 institution reach even greater heights by leading an active Board in shaping creative responses to issues facing nursing today, such as the shortage of nurses and nurse faculty, the health needs of the uninsured and underserved, and nursing research to help improve health care for everyone. Together, we will strive to gain philanthropic support for these issues." Oros, who founded Aether Systems in 1996, brings to the Board many years of experience in the business community, where he also sits on the boards of Novatel Wireless, Corvis Corporation and Port Discovery. Continually recognized for his entrepreneurial and personal achievements, Oros has been acknowledged as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Mobile Computing Magazine's Person of the Year and the KPMG High Tech Entrepreneur of the Year. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and holds a U.S. patent for a multi-functional radar. "I am delighted that Mr. Oros has accepted the position as chairman of our Board," said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. "His ongoing commitment to the University of Maryland System and the School of Nursing's clinical enterprise will be invaluable as he assumes his new role. I look forward to working with him and the rest of the Board to continue to develop community support for initiatives such as scholarships, nursing research and our extensive clinical enterprises in the community."

Baltimore, Md. – The Honorable Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr., President of the Maryland Senate, recently appointed Sen. Richard F. Colburn to the Governor's Wellmobile Advisory Board - the only senatorial appointment on the nine-member Board. The purpose of the Advisory Board, which meets four times a year, is to assist the University of Maryland School of Nursing in overseeing and raising funds for the Governor's Wellmobile Program. Sen. Colburn serves District 37 on Maryland's Eastern Shore, where the Wellmobile Program serves a large population of citizens. In addition, Sen. Colburn serves on the Senate's Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, which deals with health related issues, including the Wellmobile Program. Sen. Colburn will bring leadership and expertise to the Board as the Wellmobile Program continues to grow. The Governor's Wellmobile Program, established in 1994 as a partnership among the public, private and philanthropic sectors, operates four full-service mobile health clinics across the state of Maryland. Operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing and staffed by its nurse practitioner faculty and students, the Wellmobiles offer regular, continuing health care for underserved and uninsured children and adults throughout Maryland.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing remained in the nation's top 10 graduate schools for the fifth consecutive time when U.S.News & World Report announced their rankings today. In addition, four of the School of Nursing's master's specialty programs received top 10 status. The adult nurse practitioner program ranked fifth, the nursing service administration program ranked seventh, and the adult/medical-surgical and community/public health programs were ranked eighth. "I am very proud that our School continues to achieve top 10 status," said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. "I am very pleased, too, that we attained top 10 rankings in several of our master's specialty programs. This is a tribute to our highly regarded and nationally and internationally known faculty."

Making Informatics Work for Nursing Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing will host its 13th annual informatics conference, Informatics 2003, July 16-19, at the School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore. The conference is designed for informatics nurse specialists, as well as nurse managers and executives, nursing information systems managers, informatics educators, nurses who frequently interface with information systems departments, and other interested health care providers. Keynote speaker Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPh, RN, FAAN, vice president and chief nursing executive of Cedars-Sinai Health System and Research Institute, was recently appointed to the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. Her address, "Making Technology Work for Nurses," will focus on the use of technology to improve the health care environment, including action steps for making technology work in the nursing environment. Judith Matthews, PhD, MPH, RN, co-director of the Robot Learning Laboratory at Carnegie-Mellon University and part of a multi-disciplinary team that directs the nationally known Nursebot Project, will present the distinguished lecture. Her address, "Robotics and the Promise of Technological Solutions for Everyday Health," will offer a revolutionary vision of emerging health-related technologies that draw upon advances in robotics and ubiquitous computing to serve the daily health needs of persons living in the community. The conference offers more than 20 renowned national and international speakers and over 50 peer-reviewed paper presentations and posters representing informatics practice in a broad range of practice settings. Conferees will have the opportunity to interact with exhibitors, and there will be multiple opportunities for professional and social networking. Before and after the conference, the School will sponsor seminars designed to expand the skill set of informatics nurse specialists and those wishing to learn more about informatics in the health care field. The pre-conference program features a Project Management Seminar and a Productivity Application for Nurse Informaticians workshop, both taught by experts. The post-conference features "e-learning," designed to develop skills of clinicians and educators delivering educational offerings on-line. The ever-popular Weekend Immersion in Nursing Informatics, a review program designed to prepare conferees for the Informatics Nurse Specialist certification, will also be part of the post-conference activities. Many of the conference sessions will be offered real-time via Webcast. Brochures, registration materials, contact information and specific conference information are available athttp://nursing.umaryland.edu/sini

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has named two new members to its Board of Visitors: David Oros, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Aether Systems, Inc., and Jan C. Rivitz, Executive Director, Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation. They will serve three-year terms from 2003-2006. The Board of Visitors lends their skills, expertise and leadership to the Dean of the School of Nursing, and endorses and supports the goals of the School. "We are very pleased that these exemplary leaders have joined our distinguished Board of Visitors," said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. "Their expertise is crucial for assuring that our education, research and clinical practice programs remain relevant to the ever-changing health care system and meet the needs of the citizens of Maryland."

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently received a $2 million donation, consisting of laboratory equipment, from Edward Lifesciences, a global leader in products and technologies to treat advanced cardiovascular disease and the premier company producing heart valves worldwide. The equipment, which consists of an array of high-tech catheters used for assessing pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, and diagnosing and treatment of cardiac pulmonary problems, will enhance the School of Nursing's simulation labs. "This equipment allows us to replicate a high-tech hospital environment in our simulation labs," says Patricia Morton, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, a professor in the School's Department of Adult Health Nursing. "Teaching nursing students in a hands-on lab requires equipment, which is used repeatedly. It has to be replaced over time, and for 1,400 students, that can get expensive. A donation like this gives us the opportunity to provide a high-tech hospital, hands-on experience for our students," says Morton. "Our company's credit contains the pledge, 'Helping Patients is Our Life's Work and Life is Now," says Michael Mussallem, chairman and CEO of Edwards Lifesciences Headquarters. "We are committed to helping patients and improving the quality of life around the world." The 40-year-old company, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., designs equipment that focuses on cardiac surgery, critical care, vascular and perfusion, and it is sold in more than 80 countries.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently received a three-year, $774,651 grant from the Division of Nursing, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to enhance and expand its nurse-midwifery education program. The only one of its kind in the state of Maryland, the nurse-midwifery program began in 1999 and graduated its first class in 2001. With the HRSA grant, the School of Nursing seeks to strengthen the focus of the program on reduction of disparities in Maryland, particularly the disparity between the childbearing outcomes of White women and those of Black and Latina women. The federal grant also supports the School in placing parts of the curriculum on-line so residents of rural areas can access courses without coming to Baltimore. During the grant period, experts in health disparities and cultural customization of care will conduct a comprehensive review, revision and evaluation of the curriculum, and significant parts of all nurse-midwifery courses will be converted to a web-based format. The School is taking these steps to significantly increase the diversity of students in the nurse-midwifery specialty from both rural and urban areas of the state. "We sought these funds to address Maryland's tragic paradox: in 2000, only four states had higher per capita income than Maryland, but 36 states had better infant mortality rates," stated Sally Tom, EDM, RN, CNM, FACNM, assistant professor in the Department of Child, Women's and Family Health and coordinator of the School's nurse-midwifery specialty. "Maryland's mothers and babies will be healthier if more women have access to nurse-midwifery care. We are very grateful that the federal government is supporting our efforts."

Baltimore, Md. – A major new interdisciplinary initiative to arm this country's health professionals to identify substance use disorders was made public at the National Press Club on September 19. Health workforce leaders, including Mary R. Haack, PhD, RN, FAAN, Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, joined by federal officials, described the initiative, which was funded under a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); and the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse (AMERSA), DHHS' Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, provided interagency support. Congress. Following the presentation of recommendations, initiative leaders and federal officials responded to questions. Copies of the Executive Summary to the Strategic Plan for Interdisciplinary Faculty Development: Arming the Nation's Health Professional Workforce for a New Approach to Substance Use Disorders was distributed. The press conference preceded a national meeting of representatives of 16 health professions — dentists, dieticians, nurse midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, public health professionals, rehabilitation counselors, social workers, speech pathologists and audiologists — who were assembled in Washington to discuss the roles of their professions in implementing the plan

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has announced the appointment of two new faculty researchers, further advancing the School's research initiative. Mary R. Haack, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been appointed associate professor in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health and Elias Vasquez, PhD, NNP, PNP, FAANP, has been appointed assistant professor in the Department of Child, Women's and Family Health. Dr. Haack, whose research focuses on substance abuse and mental health issues among court involved families, holds both doctoral and master's degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Under a contract from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration/Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT), Dr. Haack helped develop family drug courts in Miami, Kansas City, Mo., and Manhattan, N.Y. She is currently funded by SAMHSA/Center for Substance Abuse Prevention to select and implement an evidence-based family intervention for parents charged with child abuse and neglect in the New Jersey Superior Court System. In addition, Dr. Haack is co-investigator on a three-year, $349,000 grant, "Reimbursement Policy for Online Substance Abuse Treatment," funded by the Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Substance Abuse Policy Research Program. She also has a one-year planning grant from the RWJ Foundation to plan and develop nursing interventions that address the disparity in primary care services for court-involved parents with substance use disorders and children in foster care. Dr. Haack joins the School of Nursing from her previous position as associate professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey's College of Nursing. Dr. Vasquez holds both doctoral and master's degrees from the University of Arizona. His expertise is in providing primary care and developmental assessments to HIV and drug-exposed infants and children. Dr. Vasquez is a pioneer in innovative approaches in nursing practice, education and research for one of society's most challenging problems - mothers with substance use disorders and their children. He is currently president of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and a Fellow with the RWJ Foundation in Developing Leadership and Reducing Substance Abuse. Dr. Vasquez also comes to the School from his previous position as assistant professor at Rutgers' College of Nursing. "We are pleased to have these two exceptional professionals join our cadre of distinguished nurse researchers," said Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing

Collaborative effort promotes health and safety in childcare. Baltimore, Md. – As part of the national Healthy Child Care America campaign, the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) has awarded a $386,719 contract to the University of Maryland School of Nursing to fund a pilot program for the development and implementation of a statewide system of health care consultation and training for child care providers. To this end, a Child Care Health Consultation and Training Office has been established at the School of Nursing to respond to child care providers' inquiries for advice and health care information. Marla Oros, MS, RN, Associate Dean for Clinical and External Affairs, will direct the staff in the design and implementation of several initiatives including: Developing web-based and distance learning educational programs to respond to training needs of childcare providers across the state; Training and supervising a statewide network of nurse consultants to provide health information to regional child care providers; Developing an annual educational program to support key areas of training necessary to improve the knowledge and skills of the care providers; Developing a system to evaluate and monitor achievement of program goals and objectives. "My vision is that this interactive relationship between the childcare community and health professionals, particularly nurses, will be the beginning of a culture that recognizes childcare providers as very pivotal in promoting the health and safety of our children," said Doris Addo-Glover, MSN, RN, nurse coordinator for the program. "A childcare provider who is trained and knowledgeable about health and safety issues can raise the same awareness in parents and guardians, which will in turn foster the creation of healthy families." Prince George's County, an urban county, and Frederick County, with a more rural outlook, were selected as the sites for the pilot program. The information garnered from the pilot program will be used to perfect the outreach activities for expansion to other Maryland counties and to build strong partnerships around other community/childcare initiatives. "This collaborative effort will help childcare providers obtain the training they need, while increasing access to health and social service programs," stated Ms. Oros

Baltimore, Md. – Nationally recognized academic leader Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been appointed by President David J. Ramsay, DM, DPhil, as dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Allan previously was the dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). She is vice chair of the 15-member U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Earlier this year, she was the spokesperson for the task force when the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced new federal recommendations on mammography screening. In her national role, Allan is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Nursing. She has been president of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, which doubled its membership under her leadership, and the Southern Nursing Research Society, which experienced similar growth. Last year, she received the Nursing Excellence Award for service to the profession from Nurseweek magazine. "We are very pleased to have Janet Allen, a nationally recognized professional, join the University of Maryland," says Ramsay. "We know that our School of Nursing will continue to grow in stature under her leadership." Deeply committed to research and faculty excellence, Allan led the UTHSCSA School of Nursing as it more than doubled its federal funding during the last three years. During the same period, the school's research funding increased five-fold. Allan holds a doctorate in medical anthropology. Her research focuses on the issue of weight management by women. She conducted one of the first studies in the nation on the comparison of different ethnic groups' attitudes toward women's weight and how to manage it. She has published more than 75 articles, book chapters and abstracts. She also has studied the problems of living with HIV and was instrumental in the creation of a hospice for HIV patients that serves as a national model. As a result, Allan was one of nine nurses in the country who was honored by the U.S. assistant secretary of health for contributions to the care of people with AIDS and HIV infection. Also in 2001, she received the Distinguished Researcher Award from the Southern Nursing Regional Society. "One of Janet Allan's strengths is her ability to engage the faculty in developing plans and goals for the school," says Malinda Orlin, PhD, academic vice president and chair of the search committee. "After she became dean in Texas, they developed a shared vision that was an important factor in their success." The school recently was re-accredited for 10 years. "Among the reasons I am excited about coming to the University of Maryland is the proximity of the nursing school to the other professional schools-dental, law, medical, pharmacy, social work-and the graduate school," says Allan. "The relationship with the University of Maryland Medical Center and the Baltimore VA Medical Center also provides wonderful opportunities for the students and faculty at the School of Nursing." The University of Maryland School of Nursing provides educational programs in nursing that lead to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The School is consistently ranked among the top 10 schools of nursing by U.S. News and World Report and currently enrolls more than 1,400 students. The School has pioneered a variety of innovative educational programs, including the first nursing informatics program in the world and the nation's first nursing health policy program. More than 20 specialties are offered at the graduate level, including trauma/critical-care, oncology, gerontology, psychiatric/mental health nursing, and nursing administration. To provide clinical programs for students, the School of Nursing maintains affiliations with more than 300 hospitals and health care agencies throughout Maryland.

Informatics at the Crossroads: Transforming Healthcare Baltimore, Md. – Transforming health care will be the focus of the University of Maryland School of Nursing's 12th Annual Summer Institute in Nursing Informatics July 24-27 at the School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore. The lead sponsor for this year's conference -- Siemens Medical Solutions Health Services Corporation, Malvern, Penna. -- offers a broad range of clinical, financial and management applications, and outsourcing and professional services to support health providers across the continuum of care. Nancy Lorenzi, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Clinical Professor in Nursing at Vanderbilt University will deliver the keynote address, "Mastering the Health care Maze: Informatics as a Transformation Strategy," which will focus on how mastering the organizational and process side informatics helps transform an organization. Daniel Z. Sands, MD, MPH, Harvard Medical School, will be the Distinguished Lecturer. His discussion will center on the current trend of patients' use of the Web to communicate with health care providers and to learn about their health and illnesses. According to Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing, the event will highlight nursing informatics practice and nursing informatics perspectives; error prevention and quality improvement via the use of information technology in health care, standards efforts, current information technologies; information system selection, evaluation and implementation; and nursing informatics processes. The conference consists of peer-reviewed paper presentations, posters, exhibits and a series of invited national and international informatics speakers. Pre- and post-conferences will also be offered. The pre-conference program will feature a Project Management Seminar/Workshop, and the post-conference will be the "Weekend Immersion in Nursing Informatics," a Nursing Informatics certification review program. Approximately 16 sessions from the Institute will be offered over the Internet via Web cast. The program, registration materials and specification information about the conference can be obtained by visiting the Summer Institute Web page.

Expansion of Governor's Wellmobile Fleet Brings Added Health Care Options to the Underserved Anapolis, Md. – Assisted by Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and legislative leaders of Maryland, the University of Maryland School of Nursing cut the ribbon today on the latest addition to its fleet of Governor's Wellmobiles. Like the other Wellmobiles already operating throughout the State of Maryland, the new addition is a 33-foot van outfitted as a full-service health clinic. Operated and staffed by nurse practitioner faculty and students from the University of Maryland School of Nursing, the Wellmobile travels throughout Maryland, bringing primary health care services to uninsured and underserved Marylanders in their communities. Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dr. Barbara R. Heller, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, remarked: "The Governor's Wellmobile program advances our School's mission by providing our faculty and students with real world, hands-on practice opportunities in the community." Marla Oros, the School's Associate Dean for Clinical and External Affairs, stressed the role of the Wellmobile in providing health care options for some of the most vulnerable populations in Maryland. Typical Wellmobile clients, she said, are adults and children without health insurance; residents of geographically remote areas and other underserved communities; and those with other economic, geographic, or cultural barriers to traditional health care. Services range from diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses to management of chronic conditions; from family planning and women's health to well child care; and from immunizations and vaccinations to screenings for early detection of breast, cervical, and prostate cancer. The Wellmobile also offers health education programs, smoking cessation and drug abuse prevention programs, and diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted disease. Follow-up care and referrals for additional services through local providers are available. Also speaking at the event were Speaker of the House Caspar R. Taylor, Jr., Senator Arthur Dorman, and Delegates Michael Busch and Marilyn Goldwater. In addition, two private funders presented generous checks to the School of Nursing to support the newest Wellmobile. Thomas Barbera, president and CEO of Mid Atlantic Medical Services, Inc. (MAMSI) donated $25,000 on behalf of his firm. Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, MAMSI is one of the mid-Atlantic region's largest health services companies. In 1999, it founded the MAMSI Children's Foundation, Inc., to assist children whose health care needs are not covered by private health insurance. A $600,000 check from Connect Maryland was presented by its founder and president, David Oros, who is also the founder and CEO of Owings Mills-based Aether Systems. Connect Maryland is a nonprofit organization that pools the resources and talents of Maryland entrepreneurs to support children's social issues. The organization invests long-term in programs with a record of success in improving the education, health care, and social development of Maryland youth.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has received grants totaling more than $3.6 million to study health care worker safety. A four-year, $999,690 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH) will enable research on factors associated with needle sticks and sharp instrument injuries among health care workers during surgery. According to a recent NIOSH report, between 600,000 and one million needle stick and similar injuries occur in health care workers each year, resulting in 1,000 new cases of HIV or hepatitis B or C. Principal investigator Denise Korniewicz, DNSc, RN, FAAN, Professor, Department of Adult Health Nursing, says a large number of these injuries occur in operating room personnel because they work in the highest risk environment and use more sharp instruments than anyone else in the institution. An additional four-year, $997,663 grant from CDC/NIOSH will fund the study of work schedules among nurses and how these schedules may be related to needle sticks and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as neck, shoulder and back injuries. Principal investigator Alison Trinkoff, ScD, RN, FAAN, Professor, Department of Behavioral and Community Health, and her team, will survey 3,500 nurses who work in a variety of settings on their history of MSDs. Dr. Trinkoff will also serve as principal investigator on a two-year, $694,052 grant from the Department of Health and Human Service's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to study how organizational factors, such as staffing and skills levels are associated with worker injury and adverse patient outcomes. Home care work, which is the fastest growing occupation in our country, has been found to be one of the most physically, and possibly psychologically, hazardous work environments. A three-year, $742,500 grant from CDC/NIOSH will fund research on the relationship between the organization of work and the prevalence of major depression and MSDs among home care workers. According to principal investigator Carles Muntaner, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health, depression and MSDs are outcomes of adverse work conditions that inflict major social and economic burden on workers, firms and communities, including chronic disability and suicide. In a similar study also funded by CDC/NIOSH for $166,095, Dr. Muntaner is leading research on work organization and depression among nurse aides. "It is imperative that health care professionals have a safe work environment, and these studies will certainly create a better understanding of the causes of workplace injuries and disabilities," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. "We are pleased that our faculty are conducting research that will benefit health care workers directly."

Baltimore, Md. – Two new grants totaling $865,973 will help advance environmental research and education at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. A $430,463 grant from the U.S. Health Resource Services Administration, Division of Nursing, will fund the expansion of the School of Nursing's existing master's degree program in community/public health. An emphasis in environmental health will be added to the current curriculum to prepare nurses to assess environmental health-related exposures and health outcomes, as well as plan and evaluate interventions on a population basis. According to project director, Barbara Sattler, DrPH, RN, Associate Professor in the School's Department of Behavioral and Community Health, graduates of the program will be prepared to compete for positions in local, state and federal health agencies, as well as careers in occupational health. An additional grant for $435,510 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will fund a one-year Healthy Homes Demonstration and Education Project in Baltimore's Park Heights neighborhood. The collaborative effort with the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now will implement strategies to reduce environmental health risks in 80 homes with asthmatic children. Project director, Claudia Smith, PhD, MPH, RN, Assistant Professor in the School's Department of Behavioral and Community Health, says the project will develop community capacity to assess environmental risk factors associated with housing in the community, implement strategies to reduce those risks, educate neighborhood residents, and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. "Americans have become increasingly concerned about the effects of the environment on their health," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. "These new initiatives will help prepare an essential cadre of nursing leaders for the critical and emerging issues in environmental health and prepare citizens to recognize and respond to environmental health risks."

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing will host an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Waldorf Center for Higher Education, 3261 Old Washington Road, Waldorf. The event is designed to acquaint persons interested in a nursing career with the many options available at the Waldorf Center. Admissions coordinators will be on hand to discuss admissions procedures and answer questions. Admission is free. Call 301-645-5003 for more information.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing Alumni Association will hold its 2001 Reunion Celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the School of Nursing Building, 655 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore. This year's event, "Celebrating Our Champions," will include a silent auction, a luncheon and tours of the School. A special educational program will feature a presentation by the Nurses Service Organization on professional liability insurance for nurses and a talk on osteoporosis by Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, president of the Alumni Association and associate professor, Department of Adult Health Nursing, University of Maryland School of Nursing. A highlight of the day will be the induction of the newest members of the Heritage Class, the Class of 1951. The registration fee is $30 for alumni and $20 for guests. For more information, call Dean Krimmel, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, 410-706-7640.

Donation will help fund Western Maryland Wellmobile Baltimore, Md. – Mid Atlantic Medical Services, Inc. (MAMSI) recently contributed $25,000 to the Governor's Wellmobile Program in support of a new Wellmobile that will serve Western Maryland. The Wellmobile Program, operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing since 1994, currently provides primary health care and health education services to more than 7,000 underserved Marylanders per year in the Baltimore metropolitan area and on the Eastern Shore. Due to generous financial support from the state and other public and private entities, including the donation from MAMSI, three more vans will be added to the fleet to serve Central Maryland, Southern Maryland and Western Maryland. By the end of 2002, the School of Nursing will be operating five mobile clinics that provide services to the uninsured and, at the same time, offer practical clinical experience for both graduate and undergraduate nursing students. "MAMSI is pleased to support the Wellmobile Program to both improve access to health services to the uninsured in Western Maryland and inspire nursing students," said Thomas P. Barbera, president and CEO of MAMSI. MAMSI is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's largest health services companies with health plans covering more than 1.8 million lives in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and West Virginia. "This significant donation from MAMSI will not only impact the health and well-being of some of Maryland's most deprived citizens, but it will also help support nursing education throughout the state," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. For more information on the Wellmobile Program, call Marla Oros, Associate Dean for Clinical and External Affairs, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 410-706-0331.

Renowned Educator Announces Resignation As Dean of School of Nursing Baltimore, Md. – After more than a decade of leadership at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing has announced her resignation, effective June 28, 2002. Dr. Heller will take on new responsibilities as the School's first Rauschenbach Distinguished Professor, an endowed professorship dedicated to the improvement of nursing and nursing education through research and teaching. Dr. Heller will also undertake university-wide administrative responsibilities as Executive Director of a newly established Center for the Advancement of Health Professions Education at the University of Maryland Baltimore. In anticipation of critical shortages in all the health professions, the Center will focus on workforce development, promote interdisciplinary education for collaborative practice, provide leadership and management training for health care professionals, and help shape state and national policy as it relates to health professions education. "I look back with great pride and satisfaction on all we have accomplished during my twelve-year tenure," said Dr. Heller. "Now I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to shape and guide the new Center, which will play a critical role in enabling all the health professions to meet the emerging challenges of the 21st century." Under Dr. Heller's direction, the School of Nursing has flourished. For the last 10 years, U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked the School among the top ten in the nation, and five graduate programs were awarded top ten status in the year 2000. Student enrollment has increased significantly. The quality of the School's learning and research environment has been enhanced with the opening of a new $38 million, state-of-the-art building. New programs have been added at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including one of the nation's first RN-to-BSN on-line options. Outreach initiatives have been greatly enhanced across the state to better serve residents of the Eastern Shore, Western Maryland, and Montgomery and Charles County via distance learning technology. The School's research and scholarship portfolio has significantly expanded, attracting more than $7 million in sponsored research, training and other grant and contract awards. In addition, its clinical enterprise has grown to include five Wellmobiles, 14 school-based wellness centers, a geriatric care center, a family support center, the Open Gates Clinic, and a pediatric ambulatory care center. And with almost a year remaining in its first annual fundraising campaign, the School has already surpassed its $7 million goal. Dr. Heller's academic and administrative experience spans undergraduate, master's and doctoral education. Throughout her career, she has maintained a commitment to research and scholarship. She is a pioneer in computer applications in nursing and health care, and is credited with having established the world's first graduate level program of study in Nursing/Health Informatics. Dr. Heller is widely sought as an expert commentator on workforce shortages in the health professions and on health care policy at both the local and national levels. Legislators, government officials, and industry leaders often consult with her, and she is frequently interviewed by both print and electronic media.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing will host an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at the Waldorf Center for Higher Education, 3261 Old Washington Road, Waldorf. The event is designed to acquaint persons interested in a nursing career with the many options available at the Waldorf Center. Admissions coordinators will be on hand to discuss admissions procedures and answer questions. Although admission is free, reservations are requested by July 17. Call 301-645-4303 to reserve a space or for more information.

Increase Attributed to New Outreach and Marketing Methods Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has reported a 37 percent increase in undergraduate applications for Fall 2001 admissions. The increase is significant in light of the severe national and statewide nursing shortage and statistics that indicate fewer students are choosing nursing as a career. For every eight nurses retiring, only three new graduates are entering the field, according to Dr. Georges Benjamin, secretary of the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. And in 2000, for the sixth consecutive year, enrollment of nursing students in undergraduate programs continued to decline, according to a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. "We believe this increase in applicants is an indicator that our recruitment methods are affecting some change in the marketplace," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. This year, the School of Nursing implemented an aggressive plan to correct misperceptions about nursing and attack barriers that may prevent students from choosing nursing as a career. The School partnered with members of the health care industry and other educational institutions, and it procured a gift worth $1.2 million in services from Gilden Integrated - a marketing communications agency dedicated to the technology sector - to help attract more students to nursing. So far, the School has increased scholarship funding through additional gifts, partnerships with the health care industry, and expanded access to courses in off-campus locations in Cambridge, Cumberland, Easton, Hagerstown, Shady Grove, and Waldorf. The School also offers distance learning and on-line learning options. In addition, the School has increased evening, weekend, and summer course options. And, this past year, the School conducted extensive market research to determine students' attitudes about nursing as a career. That led to a targeted marketing and public relations campaign to challenge common stereotypes. The University of Maryland marketing research indicated that high school and college students were unaware of the diversity of career options within nursing and the opportunity for salary potential depending on education, experience, and career development. The campaign emphasizes the fact that nursing is an exciting, challenging, and independent profession. "We believe the increase in applications this year shows that we are on the right track to attracting more nursing students," said Dr. Heller

Increase Attributed to New Outreach and Marketing Methods Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has reported a 37 percent increase in undergraduate applications for Fall 2001 admissions. The increase is significant in light of the severe national and statewide nursing shortage and statistics that indicate fewer students are choosing nursing as a career. For every eight nurses retiring, only three new graduates are entering the field, according to Dr. Georges Benjamin, secretary of the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. And in 2000, for the sixth consecutive year, enrollment of nursing students in undergraduate programs continued to decline, according to a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. "We believe this increase in applicants is an indicator that our recruitment methods are affecting some change in the marketplace," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. This year, the School of Nursing implemented an aggressive plan to correct misperceptions about nursing and attack barriers that may prevent students from choosing nursing as a career. The School partnered with members of the health care industry and other educational institutions, and it procured a gift worth $1.2 million in services from Gilden Integrated - a marketing communications agency dedicated to the technology sector - to help attract more students to nursing. So far, the School has increased scholarship funding through additional gifts, partnerships with the health care industry, and expanded access to courses in off-campus locations in Cambridge, Cumberland, Easton, Hagerstown, Shady Grove, and Waldorf. The School also offers distance learning and on-line learning options. In addition, the School has increased evening, weekend, and summer course options. And, this past year, the School conducted extensive market research to determine students' attitudes about nursing as a career. That led to a targeted marketing and public relations campaign to challenge common stereotypes. The University of Maryland marketing research indicated that high school and college students were unaware of the diversity of career options within nursing and the opportunity for salary potential depending on education, experience, and career development. The campaign emphasizes the fact that nursing is an exciting, challenging, and independent profession. "We believe the increase in applications this year shows that we are on the right track to attracting more nursing students," said Dr. Heller.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently announced a joint venture with Sinai Hospital of Baltimore aimed at addressing the nursing shortage in Maryland. The University of Maryland-Sinai Nurse Scholars Program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to top School of Nursing students, as well as specialized learning experiences in clinical focus areas. Upon graduation, students will have employment opportunities at Sinai Hospital. "This cooperative effort demonstrates our commitment to help solve the nursing shortage by making nursing a more attractive and affordable career option for college-bound men and women," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. "Our school provides 41 percent of the state's professional nurse workforce, and the University of Maryland-Sinai Nurse Scholars Program will help eliminate financial barriers to a nursing education." To qualify for the program, students must be enrolled as undergraduates at the School of Nursing, maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average, agree to complete their senior practicum at Sinai Hospital, and agree to remain at Sinai Hospital for a period of one year after orientation. Sinai Hospital of Baltimore has pledged a significant contribution to fund the program. "This strategic partnership builds on an existing relationship with the School and affords us a three-way winning opportunity with the students. In addition to financial assistance, students will enjoy the benefits of learning and working in one of the regions' premiere health care institutions," said Diane Johnson, RN, MBA, CNA, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Sinai Hospital. Sinai is the most comprehensive community hospital and the third largest teaching hospital in Maryland. The agreement between the School and Sinai Hospital comes at a time when health facilities in Baltimore and throughout the state are struggling to fill nursing positions. According to the Board of Nursing, the number of registered nurses available to work in Maryland dropped by 2,335 in one year. At the same time, enrollment of nursing students in professional programs has declined, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). For more information about the program or the University of Maryland School of Nursing, call 1-866-NURSE-UM.

Baltimore, Md. – Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and Vice Chair of the Statewide Commission on the Crisis in Nursing, and Patricia G. Morton, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, Professor of Adult Health Nursing and Senior Specialist for Master's Education, are among the top 100 women in the state, according to the Maryland Daily Record, a legal and business newspaper based in Baltimore. Dean Heller was also inducted into The Circle of Excellence for Sustained Achievement - The Top 100 Women's Hall of Fame for being named three times to this distinguished list. Both women were honored for their career successes and leadership, contributions to their communities, and mentoring of other women. The awards were recently presented at a reception in Baltimore.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing is pleased to announce the induction of four faculty, two alumnae and one doctoral student into the American Academy of Nursing at ceremonies held recently in San Diego. In addition, two friends of the School of Nursing, Marilyn R. Goldwater, RN, Maryland House of Delegates, and Baltimore's WBFF-TV Fox 45 were honored at the event. "This has been a banner year for us, and we are honored that the Academy has recognized the scholarship and excellence of these faculty, students, alumnae and friends of the School," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. Patricia Abbott, PhD, MS '92, RN, FAAN, is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing's Education, Administration, Health Policy and Informatics Department. Dr. Abbott was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) and serves as chair of AMIA's Nursing Informatics Working Group. In addition, she serves as the United States representative to the International Medical Informatics Association SIG-8. Dr. Abbott was the recipient of the AMIA President's Award in 1999, and has received the AMIA President's Club Award for five consecutive years. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality has appointed her to a national task force on Information Technology and Children's Health. Barbara Resnick, PhD, '96, CRNP, RN, FAAN, is an assistant professor in the School's Adult Health Nursing Department. She maintains a clinical practice as a geriatric nurse practitioner and is principal investigator of a $1.9 million National Institute of Aging research study. Dr. Resnick represents thousands of nurse practitioners through her membership on the Executive Board of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Through this affiliation, she has been instrumental in establishing educational guidelines, addressing policy, reimbursement, and practice and malpractice issues relevant to nurse practitioners. She also serves as a consultant, both locally and nationally, regarding the education and use of nurse practitioners. Linda Thompson, DrPH, RN, FAAN, is an associate professor and Assistant Dean for Policy and Planning at the School of Nursing. She also serves as Director of The Center for Community Partnerships for Children and Families and as Acting Chair of the Department of Child, Women's and Family Health at the School. Dr. Thompson previously served as Special Secretary for the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families for the State of Maryland. She is a pioneer in advocating for public policy change to assure that health and human service needs of children and families are met, as federal and state governments shift responsibility to local communities. Dr. Thompson was selected as a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow in 1999. Alison M. Trinkoff, ScD, RN, FAAN, is a professor in the School's Behavioral and Community Health Department. An epidemiologist whose research focuses on emerging trends in risk factors in various populations, Dr. Trinkoff has contributed significant findings to the current deficiency of data pertinent to nurse health issues. She is currently spearheading research programs that examine the impact of changes in health care, workforce shortages and transformations in the workplace environment on health care workers. Through this research, Dr. Trinkoff hopes to identify workplace prevention initiatives and control measures, including patient handling teams and lifting devices and their impact on nurse musculoskeletal disorders. Doctoral candidate, Susan K. Newbold, MS '83, RNC, FAAN, has been involved in nursing informatics for over 18 years, working in a variety of settings from the hospital information system department to the vendor world in the United States, Singapore and Australia. Ms. Newbold is co-founder and co-chair of the Capital Area Roundtable on Informatics in Nursing, one of the largest special interest groups developed and organized by nurses to provide a forum for the advancement of automated health care information systems. She is assistant editor for Computers in Nursing, and has co-edited four nursing informatics books. Two alumnae of the School of Nursing, J. Taylor Harden, PhD, BSN '72, FAAN, Assistant to the Director for Special Populations, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, and Jean F. Jenkins, PhD, BSN '75, RN, FAAN, Nurse Clinical Specialist Consultant (Cancer Consultant), National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, were also inducted into the Academy. Rounding out this year's honorees were two friends of the School of Nursing. Marilyn R. Goldwater, RN, Maryland House of Delegates was inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the Academy, and WBFF-TV Fox 45 received the AAN 2000 Media Award for Nursing Nexus, a feature story on the critical shortage of nurses, which included an extensive interview with Dean Heller.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has announced the receipt of a grant from the Abell Foundation, which will fund the planning of a pre-nursing academy and the development of innovative strategies to address the critical shortage of nurses in Maryland. This collaborative effort between the School of Nursing and Baltimore City Public Schools will focus on the development of a new model for identifying and recruiting middle school students into the academy, which is scheduled to open in September 2001 at Southwestern High School. In order to address the nursing shortage in our state, we must get college bound youth interested in nursing as a profession, educate them about the many options available in the field and assist them in the pursuit of a nursing career," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. Beginning in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade, students will be offered a sequence of college preparatory coursework and electives to prepare them for admission to the School of Nursing. Students will benefit from the School's faculty expertise, advisement and mentoring, and will have the opportunity to meet leaders in the nursing profession. In addition, students will be able to take advantage of the School's rich array of pre-clinical simulation laboratories, its standardized patients and clinical initiatives. The program is expected to increase students knowledge and appreciation of basic nursing concepts, increase their awareness of the unparalleled career opportunities available in the nursing field, and ultimately provide a cadre of qualified students to enter the nursing profession. For more information about the pre-nursing academy, call Dr. Linda Thompson, Assistant Dean, Policy and Planning, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 410-706-3664.

Agency Targets Statewide Nursing Shortage Baltimore, Md. – Gilden Advertising, one of Baltimore's fastest growing high-technology advertising, design and public relations firms, has donated $1.2 million in cash, services and in-kind gifts to the University of Maryland School of Nursing to recruit more students into nursing during a critical nursing shortage. As part of this unique public/private partnership, Gilden is developing an integrated marketing campaign, including advertising, graphic design, public relations, market research and media planning for the School of Nursing. The agency will showcase the benefits of choosing nursing as a profession, as well as the advantages of pursuing this educational goal at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. A recent survey by the Maryland Hospital Association found an average nursing vacancy rate of 14.7 percent during the first three months of 2000, while the number of registered nurses licensed in Maryland dropped by 2,335 in the last year. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has also reported that enrollments in baccalaureate nursing programs declined by 4.6 percent last fall. According to Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing, "In a time of greater life expectancy in individuals with chronic and acute conditions, a nursing shortage of this magnitude presents a serious challenge to our community." Jack Gilden, president of Gilden Advertising, says, "Gilden has helped create nationwide success stories over the past five years. We plan to apply that same knowledge to support the University of Maryland School of Nursing in their quest to help reverse this health care crisis, particularly in underserved communities." The School of Nursing is pioneering the use of innovative technologies to educate the many students enrolled in its bachelor's, master's and PhD programs. Additionally, basic science and clinical research initiatives are generating new models of nursing and health care delivery for the 21st century. Gilden Advertising provides high-technology businesses with an integrated marketing resource that grasps complex technical concepts and conveys them to both mass and specialized audiences. Its clients include Aether Systems, Integrated Data Communications, Cambrian, HireFuze.com and Legg Mason Funds.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently announced that Susan M. Ludington, PhD, RN, CNM, FAAN, professor, has received $1.1 million in funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) to support her three-year study on Pre-Term Skin Contact Effects on Electrophysiologic Sleep. The purpose of the study is to test for an increase in infants' quiet sleep during "Kangaroo Care" (skin-to-skin positioning of preterm infants with their mother's or father's chest to promote growth) compared to when the infants are in incubators. Up until now, there has been no way to measure sleep by brain wave patterns when infants are outside of an incubator or off a mattress. Dr. Ludington has perfected a new technique, which uses electrophysiologic (EEG), electrooculographic (EOG), electromyographic (EMG) and waveform indicators to measure infant sleep in an incubator then up against the parent's chest. This technique will determine if the brain wave patterns confirm what several researchers have observed by watching infant movements and breathing patterns. The study will be conducted at the University of Maryland Medical Center's neonatal intensive care unit. "Every mother knows that babies go deeply asleep when they hold them," stated Dr. Ludington. "Now we will show just how deep and different that sleep is from the kind of sleep infants get when they are in incubators or cribs." "As a research intensive institution, the School of Nursing is excited about the award of this grant," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. "It offers Dr. Ludington the opportunity to advance important studies that will provide valuable information in the care of infants."

Baltimore, Md.– The University of Maryland School of Nursing, as well as the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Social Work, have partnered with the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center (WMAHEC) and the Western Maryland Health System (WMHS) to provide health care to elderly residents of Allegany County, many of whom are underinsured and unserved. A grant award of $30,410 from the University's Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research Program is enabling nursing and other health professional students to assist the WMHS in providing health education, screenings and care coordination for these elderly citizens during the year-long project, which began on July 1 and runs through June 30, 2001. We are happy to be able to provide assistance to the citizens of Allegany County," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. "Through partnerships like this, our students receive invaluable training while providing health care to those in need." Under the direction of Gail Mazzocco, EdD, RN, Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing and Western Maryland Outreach Site Coordinator for the School, the project is designed to provide interdisciplinary clinical experiences for students, while providing a mechanism to identify and coordinate senior health services. "The WMAHEC has organized a number of interdisciplinary experiences for students in the past, and in an attempt to expand on those offerings, the Center has faced the challenges of scheduling, organization and community needs," stated Dr. Mazzocco. "Working together, we will be able to help them meet their needs." The WMAHEC, located at 11 Columbia St., Cumberland, is a community-based organization whose mission is to improve access to and promote quality in health care through educational partnerships with centers of higher education, community health professionals, and other vital supporters and advocates. For more information about the Center, call 301-777-9150.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has announced the appointment of Sandra W. McLeskey, PhD, RN, as a Senior Researcher and Associate Professor in the Department of Adult Health Nursing. A respected researcher, scholar and speaker, Dr. McLeskey comes to the School with extensive experience in teaching medical, graduate and nursing students, most recently as assistant professor in the School of Nursing, Department of Pharmacology, and Lombardi Cancer Center of the Georgetown University Medical Center. Her research at the Lombardi Cancer Center has focused on angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, metastasis and estrogen-independence in breast cancer with funding from the National Cancer Institute, among others. "We are very pleased to have recruited Dr. McLeskey to our faculty," said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing. "She will be able to advance her research in collaboration with other researchers in the Greenebaum Cancer Center, and she will be an excellent mentor to our doctoral students who are perusing research careers." "I am excited about this new opportunity because of the University's position in regard to cancer research in the State," said Dr. McLeskey. "Working together, we hope to provide answers to questions about a topic of major concern to all citizens, while simultaneously engaging our students in significant learning experiences." Dr. McLeskey is widely published in scholarly journals, research publications and texts, and has made presentations at numerous scientific meetings throughout the nation. She holds a BS in Chemistry from Duke University, a BSN from George Mason University and a PhD in Pharmacology from Georgetown University

Baltimore, Md. – Bank of America today announced a $100,000 contribution to the University of Maryland School of Nursing to support its school-based health care program. The program will provide primary and mental health care services for more than 1,500 students at Kelson, Pinderhughes and Gilmor elementary schools, located in the Sandtown-Winchester community in West Baltimore. "A significant portion of our corporate giving budget is spent on programs that enhance educational opportunities for young people," said William Couper, president, Bank of America Greater Baltimore. "This program enables us to support education and health care at the same time, which is important because access to adequate health care directly impacts student attendance and performance." Since 1994, the University of Maryland School of Nursing has been involved in the development of school-based health centers in Sandtown-Winchester. In this community, issues such as lack of childcare and transportation have traditionally hindered the ability of parents to secure health care for their children. The goal of the school-based centers is to improve the health of these students through immediate access to primary care. The results of this effort include decreasing absenteeism and behavioral episodes in the classroom, while improving overall school performance. Students at the three elementary schools receive care from faculty nurse practitioners from the University of Maryland School of Nursing who oversee the school-based wellness centers in Sandtown-Winchester, as well as at 11 other sites throughout the state. Services at the centers include diagnosis, treatment and management of most illnesses and chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and Attention Deficit Disorder, in addition to screening, lab testing, immunizations and health education. "Children can't learn if they are not healthy, and they can't stay healthy without accessible and affordable health care," says Dr. Barbara R. Heller, Dean, University of Maryland School of Nursing. "Financial support from Bank of America has enabled the School of Nursing to expand its services and help ensure that these students are healthier and better able to focus on learning." Children in this West Baltimore community of 10,000 residents, 80 percent of whom live below the poverty line, perform significantly below the average on standardized tests. The dropout and absenteeism rate is alarmingly high, while the mortality rate from diseases that are largely preventable and treatable continues to climb. "The fact is, if we don't provide medical care right here at the school, many of our children would be forced to do without it," said Joyce Hughes, principal of Kelson Elementary School. "This program is vital to our community." The Bank of America Foundation contributes financial assistance to nonprofit institutions and organizations that enhance the quality of life and promote public interest in the areas where the company conducts its business. The foundation's primary focus is education, and other major areas of giving include health and human services, community development, and arts and culture. In the Greater Baltimore area, Bank of America has contributed more than $5 million to hundreds of organizations over the past two years. In 1999, the Bank of America Foundation budget was $100 million, which represents the largest philanthropic budget of any financial institution in the United States. Bank of America, with $633 billion in assets, is the largest bank in the United States. The company serves more than 30 million households and two million businesses across the country, offering customers the largest and most convenient delivery network from offices and ATMs to telephone and internet access.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing announced today that Barbara M. Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, an Assistant Professor, has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, for testing of her Exercise Plus Program Following Hip Surgery. According to Dr. Resnick, during recovery for older adults following a hip fracture, exercise can improve mobility, strength, functional performance and prevent future falls. Unfortunately, the majority of older adults, she says, do not exercise regularly and approximately 50 percent of those who begin exercise programs drop out after only six months. The major aim of the Exercise Plus Program is to test the effectiveness of a home delivered self-efficacy based intervention on increasing exercise behavior in older adults following a hip fracture. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups defined by the 2 x 2 design: (1) An Exercise Trainer component which includes regular home visits by an exercise trainer to implement an exercise program with patients; (2) a Plus component only which includes motivational interventions but without an exercise trainer with exercise; (3) the full Exercise Plus program, which includes the Plus Component (motivational intervention) and the Exercise Trainer component; or (4) routine care. The work, a joint effort between Dr. Resnick and the faculty of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will recruit a total of 240 participants from five acute care facilities participating in the Baltimore Hip Study. Findings will contribute to the understanding of what interventions improve exercise behavior in the older adult after a hip fracture, and to add to the current base of knowledge regarding the benefits of exercise to the frail elderly. The Exercise Plus Program was developed based on the findings of research performed by the previous Baltimore Hip Studies, Principal Investigator, Dr. Jay Magaziner from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, and Dr. Resnick's ongoing work related to motivating older adults to exercise.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing announced today the establishment of the Hilda Mae Snoops Memorial Scholarship Fund at the School. The fund has been endowed by Comptroller and former Governor William Donald Schaefer, in honor of Ms. Snoops, his long-time friend and companion, who passed away in June. The scholarship fund, which will provide financial aid to nursing students based on need and merit, has been established by an initial commitment of $350,000 from the former governor. "I will always take great comfort in our special relationship and pride in what Hilda Mae did as a nurse, and on her own, to improve the quality of life for others" said the Governor. He added, "With the creation of this living memorial, I hope to keep that spirit alive. Dr. Barbara R. Heller, Dean of the School of Nursing said, "We are proud to play such a significant role in honoring Ms. Snoops, while providing aspiring nurses throughout Maryland the opportunity to study at this world renowned institution. Of Governor Schaefer's contribution, Dr. Heller added, "This scholarship fund will have a profound effect on the preparation of nurses, and therefore Maryland's quality of health care, for generations to come, while also attracting nursing students during a severe nursing shortage." Ms. Snoops, who graduated from the Church Home and Hospital School of Nursing, was a health care analyst for the federal Health Care Financing Administration prior to serving as official State House hostess during Schaefer's eight years as governor.

Baltimore, Md. – Beginning in the Fall 1999, The School of Nursing introduced its new Master's degree specialty in Nurse Midwifery. Following its recent pre-accreditation from the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), the School of Nursing becomes Maryland's only university offering such a program. "There are more than 200 midwives throughout Maryland, but until now, there has been no recognized program within the state," said Alice Neily, spokesperson for the Maryland Chapter of the ACNM. Historically known as an alternative childbirth provider, nurse midwives also offer such services as Pap smears, breast and pelvic examinations and women's health counseling and screening, as well as preconception and maternity care for women at low-risk for complications during pregnancy. In many states, including Maryland, CNM's also have prescription writing privileges. Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the School of Nursing stated, "Nurse midwives are a cost effective alternative to traditional obstetrical care, particularly in under-served areas of the state, such as western Maryland, the Eastern Shore and in low income areas of Baltimore City." A certified nurse midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse who has graduated from one of the advanced education programs accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM). Nurse midwives must pass a national certification examination and meet strict requirements set by state health agencies. "Through this new program, we intend to increase the number of CNM's practicing within these under-served areas" Dr. Heller added. "We are seeking qualified candidates from throughout the state, who, upon completion, will be prepared to offer their services across Maryland." The program is being funded over three years by an $815,000 grant from the Division of Nursing, Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services. The University of Maryland is now accepting applications for the midwifery program. Students interested in joining the program should call the University of Maryland School of Nursing at (800) 328-8346, by e-mailing at nursinfo@parsons.umaryland.edu or by visiting our Web site atwww.nursing.umaryland.edu.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing announced today a new joint venture with The Johns Hopkins Hospital aimed at addressing the nursing shortage in Maryland. The Hopkins Nurse Scholar Program offers financial aid of up to $5,000 to University of Maryland School of Nursing students, as well as specialized clinical learning experiences. Following successful completion of the program, Hopkins Nurse Scholars will be offered employment at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital, subject to availability and appropriate placement opportunities. Dr. Barbara R. Heller, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing described this initiative as an historic first. "This joint venture between these two nationally recognized health care and educational institutions demonstrates our commitment to health care in the 21st century, by taking a proactive role in addressing the current nursing shortage." The University of Maryland School of Nursing provides the largest nursing pool in the State and one of the largest in the country. "The Hopkins Nurse Scholar program," Dr. Heller added, "helps to ensure a strong nursing workforce for Maryland's future." The Johns Hopkins Hospital has contributed an initial $250,000 to fund the program. Dr. Karen Haller, Vice President for Nursing and Patient Care Services for The Johns Hopkins Hospital said, "The State of Maryland is facing an unprecedented shortage of qualified nurses. Unchecked, the nursing shortage will affect the quality of health care." Dr. Haller added, "Hopkins nurses manage patients with complex clinical problems and are proficient with cutting-edge technologies. We seek to recruit and retain the best and the brightest. Our investment in the Nurse Scholar Program reinforces our commitment to the future of nursing, and to both nurses and patients." To qualify for the Hopkins Nurse Scholar program, students must be enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland School of Nursing; maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average; agree to complete their senior practicum at The Johns Hopkins Hospital; and agree to remain at The Johns Hopkins Hospital for a period of one-year following the successful completion of hospital and unit based orientation. Students interested in applying for the program should call the University of Maryland School of Nursing at (800) 328-8346.

Baltimore, Md. — The University of Maryland School of Nursing announced today the creation of its new interdisciplinary Center for Community Partnerships for Children and Families. The Center, to be directed by Linda S. Thompson, DrPH, RN, former Special Secretary, Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families, is designed as a "gateway" for communities to have access to the resources of a major university. The mission of the Center is to integrate the strengths of the university and the surrounding community in order to improve quality of life, while enhancing the capacity of community leaders to manage and develop their local assets - physical, human and financial. "By utilizing our resources in a more efficient and targeted way", said Dr. Thompson. "We are building on the ability of the University to strengthen and support the communities surrounding it." Funded in part by a grant from the State of Maryland, "the Center is an integral part of the community", said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. "It is a testimonial to the shared commitment among government and university partners to promote long-term community progress." Working through these partnerships, Thompson and her staff will tackle community revitalization through an integrated network of services that includes research, analysis and strategic planning for the purpose of achieving and sustaining long-term community health. According to Dr. Thompson, the Center will link with existing university-community partnerships within the University of Maryland System. In addition, the Center will seek partnerships with all sectors of the community, including schools, government, business and industry, community organizations, agencies, faith leaders, media, citizens groups and families.

Baltimore, Md. -The University of Maryland School of Nursing announced today the creation of its new interdisciplinary Center for Community Partnerships for Children and Families. The Center, to be directed by Linda S. Thompson, DrPH, RN, former Special Secretary, Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families, is designed as a "gateway" for communities to have access to the resources of a major university. The mission of the Center is to integrate the strengths of the university and the surrounding community in order to improve quality of life, while enhancing the capacity of community leaders to manage and develop their local assets - physical, human and financial. "By utilizing our resources in a more efficient and targeted way", said Dr. Thompson. "We are building on the ability of the University to strengthen and support the communities surrounding it." Funded in part by a grant from the State of Maryland, "the Center is an integral part of the community", said Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. "It is a testimonial to the shared commitment among government and university partners to promote long-term community progress." Working through these partnerships, Thompson and her staff will tackle community revitalization through an integrated network of services that includes research, analysis and strategic planning for the purpose of achieving and sustaining long-term community health. According to Dr. Thompson, the Center will link with existing university-community partnerships within the University of Maryland System. In addition, the Center will seek partnerships with all sectors of the community, including schools, government, business and industry, community organizations, agencies, faith leaders, media, citizens groups and families.