transforming nursing education through partnerships transforming nursing education through

NURSINGSpring 2007

L e a d e r s h i p — P a r t n e r s h i p — I n n o v a t i o n

NURSINGU n i v e r s i t y o f M a r y l a n d

Transforming NursingEducation Through PartnershipsTransforming NursingEducation Through Partnerships

Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAANDean and Professor

Editorial BoardPatricia AdamsDirector of Media Relations and Publications

Gail DoerrExecutive Director ofCommunications

Guest EditorKathryn Lothschuetz Montgomery,PhD ‘97, RNAssociate Dean for OrganizationalPartnerships, Outreach, andClinical Enterprise

ContributorsPatricia AdamsGail DoerrElizabeth Schuman

PhotographyChris HartloveRick LippenholzAnnie RubensJoe Rubino University of Maryland Medical Center

DesignRottman Creative Group

PrintingJ.W. Boarman Co., Inc.

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University of Maryland NURSING

Table of Contents

On the Cover

The University of Maryland School of Nursing, Office of Communications, publishes University of MarylandNURSING biannually. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and story ideas. E-mail comments to:[email protected].

From the Dean

From the Guest Editor

Transforming Nursing Education Through Partnerships

Events

Faculty Appointments/Transitions

Administrative/Staff Appointments

Alumni Pulse

Development

3

4-5

6-18

19-30

31-32

33

34-42

43-47

Jeffrey A. Rivest, president and chief executive officer,

University of Maryland Medical Center; Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN,

CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing; and Kathryn

Lothschuetz Montgomery, PhD ’97, RN, associate dean for

organizational partnerships, outreach, and clinical enterprise.

Photography by: Joe Rubino

There are many challengesfacing nursing schoolstoday, including resourceconstraints; marketdemands for innovativeeducational programs;diversity of students,highlighting the need toreform teaching methods;and the changingcompetency demands ofour increasingly complexhealth care system.Among these challenges,resource constraints areperhaps the mostdaunting. Theseconstraints includedeclining state and federal

funding, the nurse faculty shortage, the growing gapbetween academic and practice salaries, the scarcityof clinical sites, and inadequate physical and learningtechnology infrastructures. In this era of fiscalretrenchment, nursing school leaders cannot beinsular; they must actively garner external supportand resources in order to implement their missionsand be able to thrive and grow.

One way to meet these challenges is throughthe creation of partnerships. The University of Maryland School of Nursing’s 2007-2011Strategic Plan calls upon us to “build strategicrelationships with external entities in order toeducate students, support faculty, and enrichthe nursing profession.” Edward H. O’Neil,PhD, MPA, FAAN, director of the Center for theHealth Professions, University of California,San Francisco, could not agree more. He says, “To adequately address the challengesthat nursing faces, education and care delivery institutions will need to develop(transformational)….partnerships.” (O’Neil &Kraul, 2004) Transformational or strategicpartnerships are goal-driven, outcome-focused,and growth- and change-producing. They arebuilt upon mutual respect, a distributivebalance of power, mutually beneficial strategieswith agreed-upon outcomes, and a commitmentto teamwork and accountability.

Over the past few years, the School of Nursinghas forged multiple strategic partnerships withhealth care institutions and other communityorganizations to address some of our resourceconstraints and enable the continuation ofexcellence in developing leaders in education,research, and practice. One significantpartnership is a collaborative effort with theUniversity of Maryland Medical Center(UMMC). They are helping us fill vacancies inour faculty roster by providing master’s-prepared nurses to serve as clinical instructorsat our School, and we have developed severaljoint appointments that are mutually beneficial.In addition, UMMC helped to broker apartnership between our School, UMMC, andCerner Corporation to supply systems softwarefor our simulation laboratories, and data-driventeaching cases and interactive tools for facultyand students.

Another major partnership – with MedStarHealth – will not only support the School’sWellmobile program, but will also help ourinitiatives in environmental health, clinicalresearch, and informatics; facilitateconnections between vendors to support theSchool’s clinical simulation laboratories; andprovide student clinical experiences at MedStar facilities.

These are just two examples of strategicpartnerships our School has already formed.We will continue to build upon theserelationships while developing new ones, as westrive to educate the nursing leaders of thefuture. In this issue of University of MarylandNURSING, you will read about more of ourpartners, the diversity of our partners, and howthese transformational partnerships arechanging nursing education.

Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAANDean and Professor

FROM THE DEAN

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From the Dean

Dean Janet D. Allan

Although partnerships have been a mainstay in thebusiness world for years, the concept of partnerships inacademia is a relatively new idea. The complexityinvolved in establishing strategically andorganizationally driven, high value relationships inacademia is something that has been underappreciateduntil very recently. As Guest Editor for this edition ofUniversity of Maryland NURSING, and in my role asassociate dean for organizational partnerships,outreach, and clinical enterprise, I would like to offersome insight into how innovative partnerships areformed and how the School of Nursing has integratedpartnerships into every aspect of its mission.

With the advent of the School of Nursing’s 2003-2006Strategic Plan, Dean Janet Allan created a new unit,“Organizational Partnerships,” within the School. I amsure at that time, many people wondered how such adepartment would fit into the traditional healthsciences university’s tripartite mission of education,research, and practice. In many ways, an organizationalunit committed to partnerships was an idea “before itstime,” but brought recognition to the fact thatpartnerships are a critical component of success,especially for a university that aspires to be a leader ineducation and research.

Definition and Description of PartnershipsThe definition of “partnership” that guides my workwith faculty, staff, and organizations in establishingsustainable strategic relationships is: “A win-winrelationship based on a mutual agreement for theexchange of money, resources, expertise, and/or

access for the purpose of collaboration to meet shared goals, in addition to meeting individualorganizational goals.”

The critical ingredient to successful partnerships is therecognition of the “value proposition” to eachorganization. It is a two-way relationship – not simply afinancial one, but one that adds the complexity ofreciprocity. Likewise, an organizational partnership is notunbalanced in the value that one organization seeks atthe expense of the mission and goals of the other. Thisbalanced value to each partner creates the “complexityquotient” in established strategic alliances. Workinghorizontally within organizations to achieve a sharedvision and shared goals challenges internal colleaguesand units because it adds complexity andunpredictability. Complexity increases because itinvolves an external organization that has its ownstrategic plan, mission, and goals, as well asaccountability to a board of directors. As in allsuccessful relationships, honesty and trust becomecritical to the partnership. Transparency andcommitment assure that all appropriate stakeholders areinvolved, ideas and doubts can be openly shared, andthe framing of the relationship is not burdened withparalyzing doubt. The result is a shared vision and truesynergy where ideas and approaches are developed,unified goals are determined, and both organizations seetrue value in investing in the relationship.

The Partnership ContinuumAt the School of Nursing, partnerships exist on acontinuum. The most fundamental level is acollaboration between the School and a clinical siteto support student placement so clinical practicesites can be accessed. This most concrete andsimple form of partnership is critical to the School’seducation mission. It anchors one end of thepartnership continuum, while the other end of thecontinuum involves a partnership where there isshared intellectual property, innovation, andresearch. The quest for empirical evidence to supportnew knowledge is critical to a research intensiveuniversity. It is often achieved through a formalizedpartnership with an exchange of intellectual capital,expertise, and access to technologies – and evenhuman subjects – that might otherwise beunreachable to the principal investigator. More andmore grant applications actually require thatestablished partnerships exist between the Schooland partner organizations. This requirementrecognizes that partnerships add value and

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Letter from the Guest Editor

Dr. Kathryn Lothschuetz Montgomery

continued on next page

sustainability to a research partnership.Threaded throughout this continuum are clinicalpractice partnerships that give meaning to anddrive the passion of our practice discipline. Awide variety of partnerships support andadvance the mission of the Governor’sWellmobile program in providing primary care tounderserved populations across the state ofMaryland. Our faculty and clinical services areoften one of the major dimensions of a largerpartnership where an organization seeks toacquire the clinical expertise and providerservices through our faculty practices.

The Partnering ProcessThe process of establishing partnerships beginswith an assessment of what initiative within thestrategic plan requires the investment of timeand effort to find a partner. There is noexacting formula or equation that can assuresuccess without first investing in relationshipbuilding. The relationship phase simplyinvolves getting to know the interests, goals,and needs of each organization. In theexploratory stage, much time is spent in anexchange of information and dialogue aboutpossibilities, potential, and assets. This is apoint where innovation and ideas flourish,unrestricted by daily concerns and realities. Itis at this juncture where individual visions for apartnership begin to emerge as a shared vision.And, it is at this stage where shared energy inthe relationship, if found, serves as the fuel fornext steps and achieving internal consensusabout what could be.

The exploratory phase moves into theidentification of common ground, and a visionbegins to take shape around a staged plan withpriorities and start points. The risk in this stage isthe possibility of losing site of the goal of therelationship that embodies the original sharedvision. The planning stage begins to involve morepeople and much clarification as thecommitment to resources takes real form. This isa time when the organization’s capacity forambiguity and chaos are challenged. To besuccessful at this stage, a blending is required ofthe people who hold the vision with the peoplewho enjoy operationalizing the idea, thus allowingthe partnership to take real form. It is importantto recognize that this is not a linear process, but

one that moves fluidly, requiring patience torevisit earlier stages as the partnership evolves.It is through fluidity and flexibility that a strongand sustainable partnership is established – onethat provides visible strategic value to themission of the school.

This edition of University of MarylandNURSING is dedicated to our School’sleadership in partnering to discover sharedvalue and success for the School, our students,and our partners. With the implementation ofthe new 2007-2011 Strategic Plan,partnerships will continue to be embedded ineach strategic initiative as we continue toemphasize the principles of leadership,partnership, and innovation.

Kathryn Lothschuetz Montgomery, PhD ‘97, RNAssociate Dean for OrganizationalPartnerships, Outreach, and Clinical Enterprise

LETTER FROM THE GUEST EDITOR

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continued from pg. 4

The old school definition of nursing didn’t need to takeinto account technological changes at the speed of light,educational advances, new research findings, and theshifting dynamics in health care. No longer is becominga nurse simply about a few years of schooling and acareer spent beside the patient. Just as the typewriterevolved into the computer, and the modem morphed intoglobal connections, so, too, has nursing education andpractice evolved.

That’s no surprise to nurses, whether they are at thebedside, in the research lab, or in front of theclassroom. What might be surprising, though, is therenewed emphasis on partnerships with other healthentities: hospitals, health systems, the government,health technology industries, and insurers. Frankly,it goes far beyond the expected financial support.Rather, this new century approach emphasizesshared resources and the interdependence ofeducation and practice.

“A true partnership can involve the acquisition of newknowledge, testing new interventions, and exploringuncharted territory,” says Kathryn LothschuetzMontgomery, PhD ‘97, RN, associate dean fororganizational partnerships, outreach, and clinicalenterprise. “It’s about shared goals, whether in care,consultation, research, or teaching.”

Nowhere is this being done more effectively than atthe University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Thinking Ahead:How A School and a Medical Center JoinForces to Educate Nurses

One might never know just many times Janet D. Allan,PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing,and Jeffrey A. Rivest, FACHE, president and chiefexecutive officer of the University of Maryland MedicalCenter (UMMC), have examined the future of nursing.For both, the stakes are high. From the School’sperspective, finding excellent clinical placements forstudents and exciting positions for graduates, andtapping into the high-powered resources of a world-renowned medical center to supplement teaching iscritical. From UMMC’s perspective, the most visibleneed – but certainly not the only objective – is to attracta well-educated, committed work force. What are thesetwo institutions doing to ensure that these ultra-complementary goals are met?

Here, both leaders answered questions about thecurrent and future state of nursing education andpractice and how the two are indelibly connected.

Both of you are relatively new to yourpositions – Dean Allan arrived at the School ofNursing in 2002 and Mr. Rivest came to theMedical Center in 2005. What was therelationship between the School of Nursingand UMMC just a few years ago and how didyou envision it changing?

Dean Allan (JA):In the most basic sense, School of Nursing graduateshave always been hired by UMMC. About half of allnurses at the Medical Center are our alumni. When Ibecame Dean in 2002, I saw that we could take thepartnership beyond the basics. We began learning moreabout each other, identifying projects and shared goals,and aiming to increase student placements.

Jeffrey Rivest (JR):When I was recruited, I was excited about the world-class school of nursing located right across the street.In the world of competitive recruitment and retentionwithin certain economic realities, having a resource forrecruiting and retaining nurses and allied healthpractitioners was, and is, a huge benefit. I saw this asan opportunity to create new partnerships that wouldenrich both institutions with long-term benefits,integrating clinical practice and education.

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Valuable Partnerships Pave Wayfor 21st Century Nursing By Elizabeth Schuman

Contributing Writer


Mr. Jeffrey A. Rivest and Dean Janet Allan

What are some of the initiatives thatdefine this evolving and growingpartnership between your institutions?

JA:Initially, we wanted to revitalize the idea ofpartnerships. We began by increasing the numberof student placements in the hospital, as well asidentifying mutually beneficial projects and goals.Further, we are working with UMMC andMedStar’s Franklin Square, for example, toincrease the number of master’s-prepared nursesthrough a $1.3 million Maryland HigherEducation Commission-funded project from theNurse Support Program II. The goal is to retainand create partnerships that create long-termbenefits that enrich all institutions and theprofession. Participant nurses are enrolled onlinein our Health Services Leadership andManagement Master of Science (MS) specialtyas RN-MS or MS students.

JR:Much of it begins with true involvement at theleadership level between the hospital and theSchool. Our focus needs to be on integratingclinical practice and education. Some of theearliest initiatives included discussions on howclinically based MS-prepared nurses couldserve as faculty in the School. The relationshiphas evolved to include working with the Schoolof Nursing faculty to evolve clinical excellenceand stimulate more clinical research at UMMCby sharing a nurse researcher position. We’vealso made enormous strides in adding moreSchool of Nursing graduates to our staff,creating a national model for nurse retentionand professional career development.

How can the School of Nursing impactUMMC’s journey toward magnet status?

JA:While nurses are better paid than they used tobe, that’s not what keeps them in the nursingprofession. Nurses want to work in anenvironment that is exciting. They want to growon the job and have a say in patient care andtheir work environment: that is in a magnethospital or facility that has these “magnet”characteristics. Our School’s proximity toUMMC provides the programming, education,

and opportunities nurses want and need toadvance in their practice. Research shows thatmagnet hospitals have higher nurse retention,as well as lower rates of patient errors andmortality. (The magnet program is overseen bythe American Nurses Credentialing Center,which requires adherence to rigorous standardsand a substantive application process.)

JR:The key is to partner with the School ofNursing in nursing research and education.Magnet certification looks at this very carefully.Having the School of Nursing located so closelyensures that we have the nurses needed toprovide education for advanced practice care.These nurses allow UMMC to increase theamount of clinical research and evidence-basedpractice in our Medical Center.

As you continue to strengthen yourleadership structure, how do bothinstitutions benefit by sharing talents?

JA:One of our newest leaders is Karen Johnson,PhD, RN, CCRN, an assistant professor at theSchool of Nursing, who also serves in a half-timerole as a clinical nurse researcher spearheadingprojects within the Medical Center. This drivesoutcomes-based research because staff membershave a resource to help them formulate studies,such as assessment of pain in the unconsciouspatient. Small, quantitative research studies, suchas those being performed in the hospital, arehelping develop evidence-based care for thepractice of nursing. Our graduates in the Doctor ofNursing Practice program focus on high-qualityleadership practice in administration,trauma/critical care nursing, and informatics.Their capstone project takes place in the workenvironment. These approaches are advancingcare in the hospital setting.

JR:Our relationship with the School of Nursingcreates a special benefit for nurses at UMMCbecause they have direct, professionalinvolvement with national nursing experts inevery field. This level of continuing education,professional development, and skillenhancement is truly valued by our nurses.

TRANSFORMING NURSING EDUCATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS

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The new Chief Nursing Officer at UMMC is a School of Nursing graduate. How does her background mesh with the concept of partnerships?

JR:When the opportunity arose to recruit a new nurseleader, we looked to recruit an individual who broughta different model of nursing — one that would have along-term significant impact on the Medical Center. Itwas clear that we needed to find a candidate who hada very good experiential mix of hospital nursingmanagement and academic nursing. We found theright balance in Lisa Rowen, DNSc, MS ‘86, RN,who had a background from the School of Nursing andseveral major medical centers. Her skill sets, passions,and interests made it clear to us that she was the oneto partner with Dean Allan to strengthen therelationship between the School and the MedicalCenter, while differentiating the institutions based ontheir particular emphases.

JA:Dr. Rowen embraced the concept and brought uniqueskills and perspectives with her. In her previousposition, she worked closely with academic nursingand had that expectation when she and I first met. Dr.Rowen is committed to the development of a vigorous,productive, and mutually beneficial partnershipbetween clinical and academic nursing. I embrace herassumption of the chief nursing officer position andlook forward to an exciting and rewarding partnership.

One of the most talked about projects is theClinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program. Howare your institutions working together tosupport the program?

JA:The Institute of Medicine emphasizes the importanceof all health professionals of the future, includingnurses, in having a different skill set/practice, onecomprised of a focus on quality improvement,evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, highinformation technology capability, and a high level ofteamwork. The CNL program invites men and womenwith degrees in other fields into this acceleratedmaster’s program to become direct care providers witha higher level of skills and knowledge. The idea is thatthe School offers this program in partnership with ahospital system, and we worked with UMMC toprepare for the CNL program.

JR:This is the first time there has been this type ofpartnership between a school of nursing and a healthcare system, where both prepare clinical nurse leaders.In the future, we will need nurses with advanced skillsand competencies, going beyond what can be gainedin a baccalaureate program. This approach furtherdevelops a talented nursing staff.

Another avenue for sharing resources isthrough preceptors. What is the benefit?

JR:UMMC nurses are skilled and experienced, and serve asa strong link between the hospital and the School ofNursing by enriching students’ educational experiences.While the School experiences the impact of a nationalfaculty shortage, partnering with UMMC allows us toprovide teachers who work with students for a semester.The clinical experience is a great benefit for studentsbecause they have the opportunity to experiencedifferent environments, work with highly competitivenurses, and have exposure to working at UMMC.

JA: There is a shortage of nursing faculty, and having200 MS-prepared nurse preceptors as mentors is ahuge benefit for students. Preceptors are unit- oragency-based and allow students to work in a directcare setting, often choosing a specialization wherethey eventually become hired. It’s an ideal way tomove quickly into a staff nurse role.

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How can these partnerships advance thenumbers of students entering the professionand, just as important, keep professionals in nursing?

JR:Within the last three years, UMMC sawinpatient census increase 21 percent withpatients who are aging and sicker. We projectan increase of another 20 percent within thenext few years. We currently have 1,200nurses, but anticipate the need for as many as1,600, whose jobs will be more demandingbecause of the complexity and intensity ofpatient care. It’s essential that we supplyclinical education because having well-educated nurses is crucial to the success ofevery health care institution.

JA:We are able to tap into UMMC’s superb clinicalexperiences for our students across thebachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degreeprograms. We are here to educate students andensure that they have the best experiencepossible and want to play an active role inenhancing patient care. Clinical research isdriving patient care. We are educating the nextgeneration of nurses and developing thescience of nursing to answer questions that willhelp all of us become healthier.

While much has changed in the field of nursing,one overriding principle remains the same: BothDean Allan and Mr. Rivest agree that nurses wantto make a difference. The new emphasis onstrategic partnerships, such as the one betweenthe School of Nursing and UMMC, are designedto inspire nurses to enter and stay in theprofession and make that difference in nursingeducation and health care institutions worldwide.


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“This drives

outcomes-based

research because

staff members have a

resource to help them

formulate studies,

such as assessment

of pain in the

unconscious patient.”



Lisa Rowen Assumes Nurse Leadership Helm at UMMC

Lisa Rowen, DNSc, MS ‘86, RN, brings 25 years ofleadership and clinical experience to her new role asthe Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services andChief Nursing Officer at the University of MarylandMedical Center. While her increasingly responsibletitles and staggering list of accomplishments arenoteworthy in themselves, what makes Rowen the rightperson for the job is more than what can be stated ona multi-page resume.

At the onset, she is a champion for partnerships andevolving relationships. Of the School of Nursing, shenotes, “This is a living, breathing partnership wherewe can educate our students, integrate them intoclinical practice, obtain grants together, and bring adiversity of talents, skills, and knowledge together.”

Her goal is to advance excellence in patient care,focusing on safety, teamwork, and communication.“By focusing on teamwork and communication, wecan have improved safety. If one does not feelcomfortable to communicate, they will be reluctantto share safety concerns.”

Looking toward the UMMC magnet application inspring 2008, she notes that excellent standards fornursing care and practice must include improvedoutcomes and professional development. On asimilar note, she is passionate about serviceexcellence, where individuals relate to each otherwith courtesy and respect and work collaborativelywith one another. “People who come to a hospitalexpect to receive compassionate care in an excellentmanner. Taking care of patients is a privilege, asthey are with us at such a vulnerable time.”

Creating a positive work environment bodes well forstaff retention. Nurses must be engaged in theirwork, she believes. “Feeling engaged engendershappiness and fulfillment. To do that you need ahealthy environment with comprehensivecollaboration, appropriate levels of staff sharing indecision-making, and active visible leadership.”

Retention encompasses creating diverse roles forexperienced nurses, for example, inviting the nurse toteach others. “The nurse imparts current knowledgeabout clinical care and is a part of the school,expanding faculty. When a nurse has a chance to doboth, it creates a more interesting job.”

Rowen earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing fromthe University of Delaware, a move she made aftercompleting an earlier bachelor’s degree in art historyand realizing that she didn’t want to spend a career“working with inanimate objects.” She worked as asurgical nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital andcompleted a master’s degree in nursingadministration from the University of Maryland Schoolof Nursing. Degree in hand, she stayed at the Schoolof Nursing, becoming a research associate and aninstructor in biomedical ethics. After working as aclinical nurse at UMMC, she joined Mercy MedicalCenter as director of nursing, eventually becomingchief nursing officer. She returned to Hopkins,becoming director of surgical nursing for one of thenation’s largest surgical care programs.

A prolific author and presenter, Rowen earned herDoctor of Nursing Science degree from the JohnsHopkins University.

Of her long-ago decision to abandon art history fornursing, she is grateful: “There are so manyopportunities in our profession. I think of nursing aswalking down a hallway with doors on both sides. Youcan choose any door and do such a variety of things.”

“I am so proud to be back here, and I am proudthat my master’s degree from the University ofMaryland School of Nursing has allowed me theopportunity to move into these ranks. This is ourschool of nursing. I feel privileged to representnurses and advocate for them. It feels like a gift.”

Dr. Lisa Rowen

Good Neighbors

Taking the concept of neighborliness just astep further, the School of Nursing and UMMChave always been about more than just“borrowing that cup of sugar.”

“Our partnership with the School allows nursesin our organization to access extra depth incontinuing education and continued exposureto national level nursing education in everyfield,” says Rivest.

The profession has evolved to include a strongfocus in informatics, a field in which the Schoolexcels. “For nurses and physicians training today,having a clinical information system is equivalentto having the stethoscope, – it is essential foreffective patient care,” he says.

Problem: Who will care for us and whowill teach the next generation of nurses?Solution: Nurse Support Program II —How Maryland is addressing the nurseand nurse faculty shortages.

The School of Nursing took a leadership role,under the guidance of Dean Janet Allan, todesign a program that tackled the dualproblems of shortages in bedside nurses andnursing faculty. The resulting program, theNurse Support Program II (NSP II), received acommitment of more than $8 million annuallyfor a period of 10 years from the MarylandHealth Services Cost Review Commission(HSCRC) and managed by the Maryland HigherEducation Commission. The School was therecipient of two five-year grants to develop twonew initiatives: the Doctor of Nursing Practice(DNP) degree and an online leadership andmanagement master’s program for nurses toenhance their clinical instruction skills.

For the past four years, Dean Allan has beeninstrumental in advocating for increased fundingfor nursing education to address the growingnursing and faculty shortages, taking it to the keystakeholders in state government, highereducation, the Maryland Hospital Association,and other community leaders. Leading the effortand representing the School, as well as thestate’s eight other bachelor’s degree programsand 15 associate’s degree programs, Allanworked with legislative assistant ShannonMcClellan, JD, MBA, to present numerousproposals to address the shortages.

Following in the footsteps of the Nurse SupportProgram I in 2005, which taxed hospital profitsto fund continuing education and professionaleducation of employed nurses, the NSPII takesa different vantage point – seeking to fundtuition and living stipends to enable nurses toenter MS and DNP/PhD programs to becomenurse faculty and soliciting competitiveproposals in which academic and clinicalentities partner to address the nursing andfaculty shortage. The funding is being providedvia a 0.1 percent increase to the rate structureof all hospitals imposed by the HSCRC. Thisprogram will provide funding over 10 years toaddress the nurse faculty shortage.

“Maryland is the only state in the nation toprovide this level of funding, and we hope toserve as a national model,” says Allan. “It isclear that we cannot prepare more nurses forour state without more qualified faculty.”

The School of Nursing received funding of$1.2 million over five years to support the newDNP program that will educate a new cadre ofnurse faculty. This new degree program, theonly one is this region, has had – withoutadvertising – an incredible number ofexceptional applicants. Fall 2006 saw 22students admitted from a pool of 58 applicantsand a year later, for fall 2007, 30 students arebeing admitted from a pool of 75. The programadmits nurses with MS degrees and is 1-1/2years in length for full-time study.

The other grant of $1.3 million brings together theSchool, UMMC, and Franklin Square HospitalCenter (FSHC) a MedStar Health facility — to


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Putting Education into Practice


provide an online master’s specialty in health careleadership management and to serve as clinically basednurse educators. “It’s not about recruiting the expertsaway from the hospital,” says Allan. “We are creatingmore exciting positions to help retain nurses andenhance the clinical role by encouraging MS-preparedstaff nurses to also serve as faculty members.”

The program varies. For bachelor’s-prepared nurses,the program takes approximately two years of part-time study. For RN to MSN candidates, the programmay take just over four years of part-time study. Theprogram will enroll some 100 students, includingabout 60 from UMMC and another 40 from FranklinSquare. The result will be 100 hospital-basedfaculty partnering with nursing programs to educatethe next generation of nurses.

For Linda Hickman, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE,project director of the NSP II grant, this partnershipamong the School of Nursing, UMMC, and FSHC is strategic.

“It’s about trying to prepare nursing faculty, but notnecessarily just for our school,” says Hickman, whoalso serves as an assistant professor at the School ofNursing. “Other schools are also looking for placesto educate students for clinical rotations.”

“In some ways, the administration label for the trackis a misnomer,” points out Ann Regier, MS, RN,director of clinical practice and professionaldevelopment at UMMC. “The track focus is aboutleadership and management. We want nurses todevelop leadership skills for the frontline. Whilesome of the coursework is administrative, electivesare clinically based.

“The nurses at the front line of direct care like it atthe bedside,” continues Regier. “This programprovides graduate-level education without leavingthe bedside. That’s the beauty and appeal to staff.It’s not a one size fits all approach.”

Information Please: Partnering with Cerner

It’s a digital world. Nursing, long reliant on pen andpaper, is continuing its conversion to the digitalenvironment. At the School of Nursing, informaticsfirst took center stage in 1988, when it became thefirst nursing school in the world to design a master’scurriculum in this emerging nursing specialty. Today,the School has a robust informatics program andinternationally renowned simulation labs, and isrecognized the world over for its pacesettingintegration of technology into nursing education.

It’s only natural, then, that the latest clinicalinformation technology is about to take its place in theSchool’s instructional programs. In cooperation withUMMC and the Cerner Corporation, the School ofNursing will implement an academic version of thesame clinical information systems used in UMMC.Faculty members and students in all programs will beable to use top-of-the-line clinical software to workthrough simulated patient scenarios as they conductassessments, monitor progress, resolve clinicalquestions, and document care and outcomes.

In an information environment that mimics the realworld, Cerner’s Academic Education Solutionprovides the tools to integrate evidence-basedclinical practices and critical thinking into patientcare processes — without jeopardizing patient care.Students and faculty members can use case studies,embedded in the electronic record system, to think

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NSPII students pose with Franklin Square (FS) and School of Nursing (SON)partners. Left to right - Joan Warren, PhD, RN, director, Office NursingProfessional Practice, FS; Vicki Krohn, MSN, RN, nursing professionaldevelopment coordinator, FS; Pete Travers, RN, ICU nurse manager, FS andSON student; Linda Hickman, PhD, RN, assistant professor, SON; PeytonNeilson, RN, Ambulatory Oncology Center, FS and SON student; Billy Best,MPA, director of admissions, SON; and Matt Morris, RN, patient carecoordinator, ICU, FS, and SON student.

through patient care problems in a variety ofeducational formats — lecture, seminar,simulation laboratory, or homework —anywhere an Internet connection is available.

“The advantage of incorporating this technologyinto our simulation labs is that we can putstudents into situations where they need to makechallenging decisions and apply knowledgewithout affecting the integrity of care provided ina real situation,” says Montgomery.

“The partnership is not a donation,” emphasizesMontgomery. “Cerner provides the Internetaccess to their portal and supports the School of Nursing team to create new approaches to teaching.”

Here’s how it works. Instructors create casestudies and provide them to Cerner, which usesthe data to create patient records. Cases caninclude all the kinds of data that might befound in an electronic record — x-rays, familyhistory, signs and symptoms, previousadmissions, even photographs of wounds. Thepatient records reside in “nursing units” in avirtual hospital. Thus, the various specialtycourses — gerontology, pediatrics, generalsurgery, and so on — can have their own“library” of cases. Students assigned to a casemust search the record for relevantinformation. As they care for the virtualpatient, they document their assessments,decisions, and actions in the electronic record.In so doing, they gain realistic experience inclinical problem solving and communication.

“What’s more, this allows students to fail in asafe environment,” says Darryl Roberts, MS ‘02, BSN ‘00, RN, an assistant professorwho teaches nursing informatics at the Schoolof Nursing, “It’s a great experience whenstudents learn from their errors. This is a toolfor improving safety, accuracy, and timeliness.It’s an educational resource that exemplifiesnursing informatics by integrating cognitivescience, information science, computerscience, and nursing science.”

“Integrating technology becomes a normal way tofunction,” says Judy Ozbolt, PhD. RN, FAAN,FACMI, program director for the School ofNursing’s specialty in nursing informatics. “Weuse it to perform at a higher level. The systemallows for retrieving patient information, reviewingreferences, and finding the best evidence-basedpractices so that students can craft the mostappropriate care for an individual patient. Wewant the nurses of tomorrow to orchestrateinformation at the point of care as readily astoday’s undergrads use IM and YouTube.”

“From a student perspective, this makeslearning that much more dynamic,” continuesOzbolt. “Students become skilled andcomfortable in using a whole array of IThardware and software as part of patient care.At our School, we’re calling this initiativeNURSE 21: Nursing Systems for Education inthe 21st Century.”

Explains Roberts, “Ultimately, the idea behindNurse 21 is that our graduates at all levels andfrom all programs will have the ability to useinformatics to support clinical decisions and togenerate and retrieve concise and usefulrecords. They’ll learn on the systems we havehere, but they’ll be able to translate their skillsto any number of software systems.

“Technology is a tool that keeps us on thecutting edge,” continues Roberts. “This is acomplex partnership. Our faculty members willlearn to incorporate this new technology intotheir unique teaching styles, while our studentsfind new ways of learning. The payoff for themis that as the learning environment more nearlyresembles the work environment, studentsbecome better equipped for practice.”


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Natashia Harris, MS, RN, systems analyst, UMMC, andDarryl Roberts, MS, RN, assistant professor, perfect screendesigns for student use

Ultimately, health care providers such as UMMCbenefit from a more educated, techno-savvyworkforce. The School of Nursing benefits becauseit has a future-ready tool for teaching. Cernerbenefits as well, tapping into the very market itneeds to understand.

“From the Cerner perspective, we are reaching thenext generation of health professionals and preparingthem to use new technology, giving them the skills andcompetencies that they will translate into a providerorganization,” says Charlotte A. Weaver, PhD, RN,FHIMSS, vice president and executive director,nursing research, Cerner Corporation.

“We are delivering value into the School and thehealth care organization. We have learned a greatdeal from the young, innovative faculty and howthese tools are completely transforming how theywork,” continues Weaver. “We expect the School ofNursing to raise the bar even higher.”

Montgomery is enthused about the relationship withCerner. “This represents a confluence ofrelationships through our positioning,” she says. “Itcreates wonderful synergy. Cerner wants to connectwith schools to show how to integrate technologyinto practice. We need to infuse nursing educationwith fast-moving technology.”

MedStar Health Drives Future of Health Care

While MedStar Health encompasses a full spectrumof health care through its seven not-for-profithospitals in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitanarea, its vision extends beyond the walls of itsinstitutions. Under the leadership of Steven S.Cohen, senior vice president at MedStar and chairof the School of Nursing’s Board of Visitors, thesystem is working closely with the School to createeducational opportunities for its employees and life-saving advances for the communities it serves.

“Because of rapid changes, human resources, andchallenging complexities, it is essential to developlongstanding relationships and partnerships with other

institutions, rather than the one-time transaction,” saysCohen. “While we are never sure what the variables willbe, we do believe in these long-term relationships.”

“By working together, we stretch the envelope tobroader initiatives,” he continues. “It’s a matter ofdoing what we have always done, and the results arechanging health care rapidly.”

Also, in its most practical sense, “Big begets big,”he says. “We want strong partners. Our collectivevoice has more influence in Annapolis and bringsmore resources. As industry forces boil up, we bothhave to deal with them.”

School of Nursing faculty are working closely withMedStar’s Franklin Square Hospital Center (FSHC) toprovide clinical expertise and professional development.Franklin Square’s nursing leadership team piloted anintensive course developed by Montgomery and JoanWarren, PhD, RN, BC, director, office of professionalpractice and research at FSHC, to advance evidence-based practice and leadership development. Thisdevelopment program was customized for theirorganization to support evidence-based practice changesacross their service lines by using real practice issues.

FSHC is also the site of a research study by JeffreyJohnson, PhD, professor and associate director ofthe School’s Work and Health Research Center. Thisresearch probes the measurement and relationshipof the work environment for practicing nurses andthe impact on patient outcomes. This multi-sitestudy promises to provide employers with newinsights into the impact of work environment factorsand quality of care to patients.

Naturally, MedStar’s perspective as a provider differsfrom that of an educator. “In a strong relationship,you understand the things you agree upon,” saysCohen. “We are interdependent. I need new nurses,and the School needs somewhere to place itsgraduates.” He adds that most providers likeMedStar are interested in schools of health andwelfare because they need to recruit nurses andother health professionals.

As the profession moves toward more highlyeducated nurses at the master’s and doctoral levels,Cohen stresses the importance of communication.

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“Educate us on the new roles for people whohave these higher-level degrees, and we canwork in tandem to define the need for theseskills and understand the value propositionthey bring to the workplace,” he says.

Together, the organizations have prepared aletter of intent, an important concept thatoutlines how the two will work together as therelationship evolves, embracing joint activitiesin environmental health, for instance, as wellas business partnerships.

“We look forward to bringing our businesspartnerships to the School,” says Cohen. “Our vendors may be able to donate equipmentor technology and support. Meanwhile, Schoolof Nursing students can serve clinical rotationsat MedStar facilities.”

Without question, one of the most visiblepartnerships is the Governor’s Wellmobileprogram. “The benefit is that when the vanstravel around the state, underserved patientsreceive the health care they need and do notneed to use the ER,” says Cohen. “It’s a visiblesymbol of our partnership that also builds therelationship between the School of Nursing andthe Medical Center.”

Another avenue for continued growth is homehealth care, he notes, where nurses will be inhigh demand. Both organizations are defininghow this relationship will work, includingproviding clinical rotations for nurses. “Homehealth will be a growing need in the years tocome and we are encouraging School ofNursing students to consider it,” he says.

Community Outreach on Wheels

In truest definition, the Governor’s Wellmobileprogram provides primary health care to men,women, and children who do not have accessto consistent health care. But, underlying thework of the program is the support of manyentities, including MedStar and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

“We are very much into the idea of partnershipsand we connect with local health departments,hospital systems, pharmacies, labs, and charityorganizations on a daily basis,” says RebeccaWiseman, PhD ‘93, RN, assistant professor atthe School of Nursing and director of theWellmobile program. Traveling into Allegany,Garrett, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Somerset,Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester, and AnneArundel counties, the four Wellmobiles offercontinuity of care, as well as an entry point intothe health care system. In sum, the programaccounts for 8,000 patient visits annually.

One of the newest initiatives targets the state’sSpanish-speaking population. Working withSpanish Catholic Charities in Central Maryland,the Wellmobile nurses see patients for theirinitial health care needs. When other services,such as lab work or specialist care arenecessary, the charity finds the resources, atreduced or no cost, to provide the service.


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Dean Janet Allan (center) and Dr. Rebecca Wiseman accept $1 millioncheck from Steven S. Cohen

“Patients need lab, x-ray, and other referrals forgreater health care issues,” says Wiseman. “We cansend people to appropriate places for treatment,without any money being exchanged. Our other roleduring this process is to find programs for patientsto gain entry into the health care system.”Sometimes, those other services may includehousing, food stamps, or child care — aspects thatdirectly impact the quality of life.

Similarly, federally qualified health centers such asthe Choptank Community Health System, whichprovides services in Carroll, Talbot, and Dorchestercounties, have contracts with the Wellmobileprogram. The Choptank relationship is one of themost advanced partnerships, where the Wellmobileprogram is the agent and provides funding to offsetsome of the expenses for services. A continuingpartnership is the outreach toward migrant farmersand crab pickers on Hooper’s Island each summer.

“Workers are brought in for the season from Aprilthrough October,” says Wiseman. “We provide healthservices to these women, and some men, about once aweek. Since many of the workers return annually, it’s achance to reconnect with the patients each year.”

In Caroline County, the Wellmobile programpartnered with the health department to bring thevan to an elementary school where there was a strepthroat outbreak. Using the rapid strep test, theschool’s population was tested. Fifty percent testedpositive and received medication. Within threeweeks, the number of cases dropped to zero.

In Seat Pleasant, a partnership with the University ofMaryland College of Public Health is gaining momentum.“We are working with the College and the city council topartner with a federally qualified health center to servean underserved population,” says Wiseman.

Recently, the program staff queried clients: If weweren’t here, where would you go for health care? Some80 percent responded that their only option would bethe emergency room. In fact, research shows thatWellmobile services have saved the state between $1.6and 2.1 million in avoided emergency room visits andmaximized the ability of affected health care institutionsto serve their patients more effectively.

That’s precisely why this approach is so vital for thecontinued health of our communities, believes DavidWolf, interim president and chief executive officer atCareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

“CareFirst has partnered with the School of Nursingon a number of key projects that are consistent withour mission of accessibility and increased servicesto areas that are underserved in the primary carearea. We are proud to have been the first group toparticipate in the Wellmobile program.” CareFirstprovided an initial start-up grant of $250,000 inFY ‘06 and continued it with $100,000 in FY ‘07.

“Access to primary care is critically important forimproving the health and wellness of individuals andaltering the long-term costs of care,” says Wolf.“Obviously, preventive care costs less money thanlater stages of care.”

“We believe that the nursing perspective is criticallyimportant in the delivery of health care,” he says,noting that the nursing shortage is also of concern.“We are constantly looking at ways to improveaccess and provide consistent quality health care.The Wellmobile program is one way to do just that.”

Adds Wiseman, “We could not provide this level ofservice to people without partners. It would beimpossible to pull into a community and see peoplewithout having the services to wrap around. That’sthe essence of our partnerships.”

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Aboard the Wellmobile, Mary Dunlavey, MS, RN, CRNP, Wellmobilelead practitioner, and Dara Winfield, MPH, care coordinator, CentralMaryland Wellmobile, discuss a care plan with a family

Professional Development: A Priority for Sinai Hospital

As program director of the School of Nursing’sHealth Services Leadership and Managementmaster’s specialty, Associate Professor MaryS. Tilbury, EdD, RN, CNAA, has only praisefor partner Sinai Hospital and its organization-wide emphasis on the advancement of nursingstaff through professional development, inclusiveof formal education.

“This is a value in the workplace, and thehospital provides generous professionaldevelopment funds, as well as a rich tuitionreimbursement program for nurses, making itfar easier to enhance their careers andeducation for professional development.”

From the Sinai Hospital perspective, the long-standing relationship with the School ofNursing has multiple benefits.

“In the year 2000, Sinai elevated therelationship to include support for the ClinicalScholars program,” says Diane Johnson, MBA,RN, vice president of patient care services andchief nursing officer at Sinai. “The programinvites select students to secure a job at Sinaiwhile completing their senior practicum at thehospital. In return, the students are able to availthemselves of Sinai scholarships, worth either$2,500 or $5,000, and they make a workcommitment to the organization.”

To bridge the gap between academia andbedside nursing, Sinai and the School ofNursing now share an employee, TerryLaidlow, MS ‘95, RN, CCRN. Laidlowprovides clinical leadership, coaching, andmentoring to new graduates and internationalnurses at Sinai Hospital, while simultaneouslyserving as a clinical instructor at the School ofNursing. Sinai covers the costs of the part-timefaculty position.

“In this era of high turnover and nursingshortages, nurse retention is critical to oursuccess. Terry promotes nurse retentionthrough facilitation of the transition process fornew or inexperienced nurses,” says Johnson.

“Terry Laidlow is bringing a set of skills andcompetencies to Sinai that are difficult tofind,” adds Tilbury.

Sinai Hospital, like many other health careinstitutions, contracts with internationalrecruiting agencies to bring nurses here. Whilethe nurses are licensed and experienced, manyhave not worked with the latest technologicaladvances. Practicing nurses can sharpentechnical skills by attending sessions at Schoolof Nursing’s simulation labs.

“The School’s simulation labs provide awonderful way to help nurses become familiarwith the equipment,” says Tilbury. “We canaddress any deficits in clinical experience inthis area. We are fulfilling a clear obligation tonurses and providing adequate preparation forpatient care because our labs lend themselvesto that.”

While these nurses are in the United States,they also are welcomed to pursue master’sdegrees in nursing, often a prizedaccomplishment in their native country.


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Terry Laidlow (center) instructs international nurses FranciscoEspiritu and Susie Amoguis in a School of Nursing learning lab

Many of these international nurses, as well asexperienced nurses in Baltimore, can now takeadvantage of the new online Health ServicesLeadership and Management program. That approachunderlies Sinai’s role in the online master’s program,she continues. The hospital provided $200,000 infinancial support for the online initiative.

“For years we had the RN to BSN program online.Thanks to the generosity of Sinai Hospital and theforward-thinking of Patricia Gonce Morton, PhD ‘89, MS ‘79, RN, CRNP, FAAN, associatedean for academic affairs and director of the Doctorof Nursing Practice program at the School ofNursing, we can now provide the entire range of AAto BSN to MS entirely online,” says Tilbury.

“It’s an exchange of resources, where the School ofNursing has the labs, the educators, and theorganizational experts, while Sinai has the funding,and clinical experts,” continues Tilbury. “It’s amutually beneficial exchange that recognizes theevolving needs of both organizations.”

Research endeavors at the School are also excitingfor Sinai. “We look for opportunities to continuallyimprove patient care with evidence-based practice,”says Johnson. “It is so helpful to have a relationshipthat helps to promote as well as support research.Additionally, it’s easier to get funding if we partnerwith an academic program.”

As an organizational development expert, Tilbury hasbeen instrumental in helping Sinai achieve some ofits strategic imperatives related to professionaldevelopment. Adds Johnson of the partnership: “Ourgoal is to evolve naturally, based on mutuallybeneficial opportunities.”

Nursing Students in the Community

While books and online classes contribute much tolearning, it’s the hands-on experience that driveshome the lessons. The capstone course in the nursingprogram is the advanced clinical specialty, where thestudents go to the site for that all-importantexperience. To support this experiential learning, theSchool of Nursing has many sites for studentplacements, encompassing locations in Maryland,Washington, D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, and WestVirginia. The School has agreements with majorhealth systems, community health agencies, and

outpatient practices such as Kaiser Permanente. “We create wonderful opportunities for students toexperience all types of patient care in a variety oflocations,” says Ann Mech, JD, RN, coordinator oflegal affairs at the School. “The School’s manyalumni create a strong network of partnershipvenues, especially if they become clinical preceptorsfor students and develop leadership positions withintheir institutions.”

While students gain critical skills in the health caresetting, they also gain a foothold in the door. “Jobsare often a result. If the student has a positiveexperience at a clinical site, the student may chooseto work there after graduation,” says Mech. “Theprogram is a great transition into the real world.”

In summary, the value of partnerships has neverbeen clearer, especially now, as nursing and healthcare undergo an evolution in how and where care isprovided. What matters, then, is how these relatedinstitutions plan for the future together, buildingupon strengths and shoring up areas needingimprovement. The inevitable partnership rangesfrom the simplest — access to clinical sites forstudents, to the most complex — sharing expertsand resources within a unique program. The futureis wide open. The only certainty? Education andclinical practice must be interdependent as theirrelationship and the profession continues to evolve.

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BSN student Stephan Davis examines a pediatrics patient

The School of Nursing rose three points – from10th to seventh place – in the latest ranking ofgraduate schools by U.S. News & World Report.This marks the sixth consecutive time the Schoolhas been ranked among the nation’s top 10 schoolsof nursing. In addition to the overall ranking,three of the School’s master’s specialty programsreceived top 10 status. The Family NursePractitioner program was ranked fifth, and boththe Adult Nurse Practitioner program and theNursing Service Administration program wereranked sixth.

According to U.S. News, the rankings arebased on two types of data: expert opinionabout program quality and statistical indicatorsthat measure the quality of a school’s faculty,research, and students. The data comes fromsurveys of more than 1,200 programs andsome 12,500 academics and professionals thatwere conducted in fall 2006.

“We are elated by the progression of ourranking from 10th to seventh place among all nursing schools in the nation,” saidDean Janet Allan. “This achievement is atestimonial to the outstanding commitment ofour faculty, staff, and administrators, whoconsistently provide powerful leadership andinnovative programming for nursing education.”

EVENTS

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School of Nursing Advances in National Rankings

A large banner hung on the School’s facade announces new ranking

A one-day conference focusing on best practices ofnursing pedagogy, “Educating Nurses: From Innovationto Application,” was held at the School of Nursing lastAugust. More than 400 nurse educators from across thenation explored state-of-the-science and best practicesfor teaching, the many gaps in the research of andpractice of nursing strategies, and future directions thatwill take the education of nurses to the next level.Participants also selected activities they couldincorporate into teaching strategies that would spur thelearning of future generations of nursing students.

Marilyn Oermann, PhD, RN, FAAN, a professorat Wayne State University College of Nursing, co-editor of the Annual Review of Nursing Education,and editor of the Journal of Nursing Care Quality,delivered the keynote address. In her presentation,which centered on translating research into practice,Oermann noted that newer students are not askeenly prepared for nursing education as they had been in the past.

“The overwhelming response to this conference andthe positive feedback we received indicates thatthere is a great need for this type of forum,” saysLouise S. Jenkins, PhD, RN, associate professor,who co-directs the School’s Institute for Educatorsin Nursing and Health Professions, along withCarol O’Neil, PhD, RN, assistant professor anddirector of the RN-BSN/MS program.

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Nurse Educators Conference Focuses on Best Practices

“We shape the profession of nursing and the health careenvironment by developing leaders in education, research,and practice.” This Mission Statement is the core of theSchool of Nursing’s 2007-2011 Strategic Plan, which waslaunched last fall. The Plan is designed to build on thefoundation of the 2003-2006 Strategic Plan and hold the

School’s community accountable to its stated initiatives to “prepare nursing leaders to shape and influence theprofession of nursing and the health care environment;advance research through integration and collaboration;establish a global health initiative in education, research, and practice; and promote an environment that embodies the School’s values of integrity, accountability,professionalism, teamwork, and respect.” While the formerPlan laid the groundwork and provided a vision for how theSchool’s community would work together, the new Planfurther advances the School by consistently analyzing itssuccesses and challenges, and refining and defining itseducation, research, and practice missions.

“The 2007-2011 Strategic Plan is highly ambitiousand represents bold decisions and directions for theSchool,” says Dean Janet Allan. “By focusing on ourmission, striving to achieve our vision, and using thisnew Plan to provide direction, we are certain to achieveour goals. In doing so, we will contribute to the historyof nursing education and research, while elevating theprofession of nursing and improving the health andwellness of countless individuals worldwide.”

New Strategic Plan Launched

Dr. Carol O’Neil, Dr. Marilyn Oermann, and Dr. Louise S. Jenkins

Karen Kauffman, PhD, RN, chair of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee,and Dean Janet Allan introduce the new Strategic Plan

The School of Nursing has been named a Center ofExcellence in Simulation Education by LaerdalMedical, an international manufacturer ofmedical devices such as stethoscopes andautomatic defibrillators, and interactive computerand patient simulators for educating health careprofessionals. The School was chosen for thisprestigious honor because of its pioneering effortsand leadership, education, and research initiativesin simulation learning. The award was presentedby Tore Laerdal, global president of LaerdalMedical, at the National League of Nursing’s(NLN) Technology and Simulation Conference,held at the School of Nursing last fall.

“The University of Maryland School of Nursingwas presented with this award because of itsinnovative leadership and its mission to offereducational programs that address urgenthealth care needs both on a national andinternational level,” says Rosie Patterson,South Central Regional Director, LaerdalMedical. “The School has a unique simulationcenter where students can learn in a non-threatening environment and graduate better-prepared to practice in the real world.”

The School has collaborated with Laerdal sincethe 1980’s to develop learning strategies andhealth care simulation, and was one of eightschools chosen by the NLN in 2003 to conducta research project for documenting theimportance of simulation learning. Today, theSchool boasts 24 clinical simulationlaboratories at its Baltimore location and fourat its Shady Grove location — more than anyother school of nursing in the nation – thatutilize simulation as an integrated teachingstrategy throughout the curriculum. Inaddition, the School is home to SimMan, VitalSims Toddler and Baby, SimDog, computerizedvirtual I.V. simulation, micro-simulation, andother technologies manufactured by Laerdal,which allow nurses and other health careprofessionals to practice their skills on“simulated patients.”

“The School of Nursing is honored to have thiscontinuing partnership with Laerdal, a corporationthat cares about health care education, research,and the community,” said the late Debra Spunt,DNP, MS ‘83, RN, FAAN, who served asdirector of the School’s simulation labs until herdeath in March 2007. “As a Laerdal Center ofExcellence, we have the opportunity to share inthe company’s mission, while educating nursesand other health care workers.”

As part of the partnership, Spunt, an expert inthe design and educational applications ofsimulation laboratories, worked with Laerdal tohelp facilitate the “Create a Lab Program” thatassists schools of nursing in integratingsimulation into the curriculum. Beyond thispartnership, Spunt consulted with nursingschools, both nationally and internationally, onthe development of realistic learningenvironments that bring simulation alive andhelp provide active, hands-on learning fornursing students and health care providers.

“Our school of nursing emphasizes theprinciples of leadership, partnership, andinnovation,” says Dean Janet Allan. “This honorhighlights our success in addressing each ofthese principles through our partnership withLaerdal, our ground-breaking efforts inintegrating simulation learning into the nursingcurriculum, and our research for developing theevidence base for simulation education.”

EVENTS

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School of Nursing Named Centerof Excellence in Simulation Education

Dean Janet Allan, Dr. Barbara Covington, Dr. Debra Spunt, andMs. Rosie Patterson

The state of Maryland’s first cohorts of nurseanesthetists and clinical nurse leaders celebrated thecompletion of their Master of Science programs duringceremonies held at the School of Nursing last December.

Seventeen men and women completed the nurseanesthesia program, the only one of its kind in thestate of Maryland, which was initiated in 2004 toaddress a statewide shortage of nurse anesthetists.According to a survey conducted by the MarylandHospital Association in 2003, there was a 16.6percent job vacancy rate for nurse anesthetists ofthe 42 job categories surveyed. That number isexpected to grow as the need for comprehensivehealth care increases along with the state’s over-65population. Notably, 15 of the 17 new graduatesaccepted positions as Certified Registered NurseAnesthetists (CRNAs) in the Baltimore area.

“We are extremely proud of our nurse anesthesiagraduates, who completed this rigorous 28-month,full-time program that included an 18-month full-timeclinical rotation,” says Assistant Professor LouHeindel, DNP, CRNA, director of the School’snurse anesthesia program. Heindel notes that theprogram was created through a collaborative effortbetween the University of Maryland Medical Center,The Johns Hopkins Hospital, MedStar Health, andKernan Hospital.

Also completing their master’s program were 57 ClinicalNurse Leader (CNL) students. The CNL program,launched in fall 2005, is also the only one of its kind inMaryland. The program allows people with a bachelor’sdegree in a non-nursing discipline to receive an MSdegree. CNL coursework and clinical experiencesprovide students with the opportunity to gain knowledgerequired for both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing(BSN) competencies and the competencies required forthe CNL credential at the master’s level. CNL graduatesare eligible to sit for the RN licensure examination, aswell as the newly-created CNL certification examinationcurrently being piloted by the American Association ofColleges of Nursing. Many of the CNL graduates haveaccepted positions at hospitals and other health careagencies in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

“We are thrilled with the success of our first CNLgraduating class,” says Gail Schoen Lemaire,PhD, APRN, BC, assistant professor, who co-directs the program with Assistant Professor Joan Davenport, PhD ‘00, RN. “This group ofstudents was truly exceptional and enthusiastic.”

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Master’s GraduatesMake State History

Nurse Anesthesia inaugural class celebrates their accomplishments

First Clinical Nurse Leader graduates enjoy their celebration

Frieda Holt, EdD, RN, was a member of thefaculty from 1974 to 1992, holding positions ofassociate professor, associate dean for graduatestudies, dean’s deputy, professor, acting dean, andexecutive associate dean. During her tenure, thePhD program was developed and implemented,the number of master’s specialties increasedsignificantly, enrollment in graduate education roseconsiderably, and outreach sites were established.

A member of the faculty from 1980 to 1990,Ada Jacox, PhD, RN, FAAN, directed theCenter of Nursing and Health ServicesResearch and the Center for Health PolicyResearch. Dr. Jacox was responsible forcreating a culture for research and helpingfaculty obtain external funding.

Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, servedon the faculty from 1981 until 2006. Sheserved as Dean of the School from 1990 to2002, and earlier, as professor and chair in theDepartment of Education, Administration,Informatics, and Health Policy. Dr. Heller’svision was significant in the development of theSchool’s regional, national, and internationalreputation. During her tenure as Dean, the newSchool of Nursing was opened, many

collaborative educational programs wereinitiated, bench research was incorporated intothe School, and accessible health care for thestate’s most vulnerable populations wasenhanced.

“We are honored to count these outstandingscholars among our esteemed emeritus faculty,”says Dean Janet Allan. “Each of theseindividuals has made a major impact on ourSchool of Nursing and the nursing profession.”

The new honorees join Professor Emeritus MaryV. Neal, PhD, RN, FAAN, who was awardedemeritus status in 1983; and Dean and ProfessorEmeritus Nan B. Hechenberger, PhD, RN;Professor Emeritus Ann Ottney Cain, PhD,RN, CS-P, FAAN, Professor Emeritus LisaRobinson, PhD, MS ‘65, APRN, FAAN; andProfessor Emeritus Betty Shubkagel, PhD, RN,BSN ‘54, who were granted emeritus status in 2005.

EVENTS

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Three Granted Emeritus Status

Emeritus status was conferred upon two former School of Nursing faculty membersand one former dean during the School’s December 2006 Faculty-Staff Assembly.

Dr. Frieda Holt, Dr. Ada Jacox, Dean Janet Allan, and Dr. Barbara R. Heller

The School of Nursing graduated the largest class ofnursing students in the state of Maryland at ceremoniesheld May 18 at the Baltimore Convention Center.Degrees were awarded to more than 500 nursingcandidates, including eight PhD degrees, emphasizingthe significant role that research plays in the profession ofnursing. These graduates represent all candidates fromthe 2007 academic year and include nearly 400 newnurses, most of whom will be providing direct patientcare in regional health systems.

The event began with the singing of the NationalAnthem, led by Master of Science graduateRonnie Ursin.

Dean Janet Allan welcomed everyone andextended remarks to the graduates.

“Very few professions allow you to have such asignificant impact on people’s lives and those of theirfamilies,” she stated. “I applaud your dedication, andencourage you to reach for your goals and to remainactive 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 itdone 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 vicepresident for patient care services and chief nursingofficer at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

She told graduates that the most important guidingprinciple in her life was to “establish strong andpositive connections, bonds, and relationships thatseek 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 yourday with a diploma in hand,” Rowen said. “But you areall different because each of you will walk away fromhere with something that no one else has, and that isyour own individual ability to influence the world aroundyou through your relationships. I would like to ask you toconsider how you will influence this world. How will youcare for and tend to your relationships with others? Howwill you positively enlarge and impact others? Because, inthese questions, you will find answers to constantly evolveyourself as a nursing leader.”

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Convocation 2007

Dr. Jane Kapustin and Dr. Carolyn Yocom

PhD grad Allison Del Bene Davis receiveshugs from her sons

BSN grad Stephan Davis shares a proudmoment with his mother

EVENTS

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Dr. Lisa Rowen, Sen. Barbara Mikulski,and Dean Janet Allan

Assistant Professor Conrad Gordoncongratulates a new grad

Happy doctoral graduates

Husband and wife master’s grads Emileand Evelyn Ntiege

The School of Nursing celebrated Black History Monthwith a moving lecture, “Translating HIV PreventionInto Practice: Building Partnerships with the UrbanCommunity,” presented by Loretta Sweet Jemmott,PhD, RN, FAAN, van Amerigen Professor inPsychiatric Mental Health Nursing at the University ofPennsylvania School of Nursing and Director of theCenter for Health Disparities Research.

Sweet Jemmott engaged the audience in an informative,thought-provoking talk that highlighted her many yearsof research on designing and testing theory-based,culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriatestrategies to reduce HIV risk-associated with sexualbehaviors among African-Americans, Latinos, and SouthAfrican youth. At the close of her talk, Sweet Jemmottreminded the audience that “our mission today is tokeep Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream alive….fromcivil rights to human rights.”

During the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s(UMB) commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.’s birthday and Black History Month, DorisScott, PhD, RN, an assistant professor at the

School of Nursing, received the UMB OutstandingFaculty/Staff Award for her work in providing mentalhealth services to hundreds of high-risk children atthe William Pinderhughes Elementary School in Baltimore.

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School of Nursing ObservesBlack History Month

Abu Koroma and James Lewis, representing the Minority Student Nurses Association, greet Dr. Sweet Jemmot

Dean Janet Allan, Dr. Doris Scott, and UMB President Dr. David Ramsay

More than 150 public health nurses, maternal-childhealth nurses, agency administrators, public healthplanners, and nurse educators attended a conference,“Institute for Maternal and Child HealthLeadership: Traction for Change,” held at the Schoolof Nursing in March. The purpose of the conference,which was supported by a grant from the HealthResources and Services Administration of the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, was topromote maternal-child health nursing leadershipand education competencies in the public healtharena and encourage inter/intra-agency networkingand collaboration.

Ruth Lubic, EdD, RN, CNM, founder andpresident emeritus, D.C. Developing FamiliesCenter, Washington, D.C., delivered the keynoteaddress, “Demonstration Projects as Vehiclesfor Change. Dr. Lubic’s philosophy is that birthcenters give women more power over their ownbodies, ultimately giving them more power overtheir own lives.

“When you give birth, you feel that you havegiven life,” she says. “And if you give life,then you can do anything.”

Joyce Katherine Edmonds, MPH, RN,doctoral fellow, Center for Research on Maternaland Newborn Survival, Emory University Schoolof Nursing, presented the endnote address,“Networks, Nurses, and Need.”

“Public health nurses apply accumulated publichealth knowledge to improve the health status ofwomen and children and promote a strongersocial fabric — a safety net to support oneanother across the lifespan in health and illness,and all places in between,” says Edmonds.

“The objective of this conference was to enhanceleadership competencies in maternal-childhealth, advance health teaching skills that focuson working with mothers and children incommunity settings, foster collaboration forcommunication and multi-disciplinary servicecoordination, and share maternal and childhealth resources for use within the context ofeveryday practice realities,” says Carol Snapp,DNSc, CNM, RN, an assistant professor at theSchool of Nursing, who co-chaired theconference with Marjorie Buchanan, MS, RN,a clinical instructor at the School. “We hope thisis the beginning of on-going dialog between theSchool of Nursing and state and local healthdepartments on issues relating to maternal andchild health.”

EVENTS

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Conference Highlights Maternaland Child Health Leadership

Dr. Carol Snapp, Ms. Joyce Edmonds, Dr. Ruth Lubic, and Ms. Marjorie Buchanan

More and more civilian populations are direct targets ofatrocities, ethnic cleansing, and outright genocide, andmost “humanitarian crises” today are steeped not just inhuman tragedy, but also in human politics. As theconcept of mental health has become increasinglyimportant in these complex emergencies, it has alsobecome increasingly controversial. Who are theappropriate people to conduct assessments and toprovide interventions? What interventions are mosteffective with diverse and multi-cultural populations?How can their effectiveness be measured?

Carol Etherington, MS, RN, FAAN, assistantprofessor, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing,and guest speaker for the 13th Annual Ann OttneyCain Lecture in Psychiatric Nursing, addressedthese issues in her presentation, “The Evolving Roleof Mental Health in Caring for TraumatizedPopulations: Risks, Realities, and Responsibilities.”The lecture, held at the School of Nursing in March,included a commentary on the historical evolvementof humanitarian aid, with emphasis on the currentchanging climate in which relief workers conducttheir work and the impact on the mental health ofthe workers and the populations they serve.

Etherington said to “look to the solution, not theproblem” when dealing with traumatized populations.

Etherington, who is past president of the Board ofDirectors for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins SansFrontières (MSF) and a volunteer nurse for theorganization, joined MSF in 1996. Her focus ispsychosocial care in war-torn and natural disastersituations. Etherington has conducted assessmentmissions and devised training programs for MSFprojects in Bosnia, Poland, Angola, Sierra Leone,Tajikistan, Kosovo, and Honduras. Her firstinternational mission was in 1980 with theInternational Committee of the Red Cross, providingmedical care to Cambodian refugees in camps on theThai-Cambodia border. She has worked in acute careand disaster situations for more than 20 years in theUnited States and overseas. In 1975, Etheringtoninitiated one of the first police-based counselingprograms in the nation for victims of crimes.

The Cain Lecture was established by faculty,students, alumni, and friends to honor Ann Ottney Cain, PhD, RN, FAAN, professoremeritus, upon her retirement from the School ofNursing in 1994. Their contributions allowed theSchool of Nursing to create an endowment tosupport this lecture, which is held in the spring ofeach year.

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Cain Lecture Addresses Roleof Mental Health in Caring for

Traumatized Populations

Dean Janet Allan, Dr. Ann Cain, and Ms. Carol Etherington

Pre-conferences focused on teaching evidence-based practice to nursing students andclinicians, creating a climate of evidence-basedpractice in an organization, and taking themystery out of evidence-based practice. A pre-conference workshop offered tips for gettingabstracts accepted in the peer review processand ideas for creating impressive presentations.

“Each year, this conference brings together thenation’s experts in evidence-based nursing whopresent not only theoretical underpinnings andrecent translational research, but usablerecommendations and case studies,” saysKathryn Lothschuetz Montgomery, PhD ‘97, RN, associate dean for organizationalpartnerships, outreach, and clinical enterprise anda co-chair of the conference. “The School ofNursing and the Veterans Affairs Maryland HealthCare System are committed to offering programsthat are scholarly, informative, and useful forpracticing nurses, nurse researchers, and nurse educators.”

The keynote address, “Evidence-BasedPractice, Quality and Outcomes: Can We SeeClearly Now?,” was delivered by KathleenStevens, EdD, RN, FAAN, professor anddirector, Academic Center for Evidence-BasedPractice, University of Texas Health ScienceCenter at San Antonio. Carolyn Clancy, MD,director, Agency for Healthcare Research andQuality, presented the closing session,“Outcomes and Evidence: Improving Quality ofCare Through Research and Implementation.”

The conference is jointly sponsored by theSchool of Nursing and the Veterans AffairsMaryland Health Care System, with additionalsupport from Sigma Theta Tau International, PiChapter. The keynote presentation wassponsored by The Commander Lura Jane EmerySeminar Series for Nursing PracticeEndowment Fund.

EVENTS

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Evidence-Based Practice Conference Explores How to Develop

and Advance Competencies

Hundreds of nurses from across the nation attended the fourth annualconference on evidence-based practice, “Your Practice Based on Evidence:Impacting Patient Care and Outcomes,” held at the School of Nursing in April.The conference explored how nurses can develop and advance competencies forevidence-based practice, and how nursing practice based on evidence can affectquality of care and resulting outcomes for patients.

Dr. Kathleen Stevens, Dr. Kathryn Montgomery, Dr. Carolyn Clancy, and Dean Janet Allan

What’s it like being a nursing student? What does yourday consist of? Who are you teachers and what are youlearning? These questions, along with many more, werethe subject of discussion at the first annual Family andFriends Day, held at the School of Nursing in April. Theevent was designed as a venue where current studentscould share their experiences with family and friends,build community between student cohorts, and buildawareness of the School and its programs.

Dean Janet Allan welcomed attendees and sharedimportant facts about the School. JoanDavenport, PhD ‘00, RN, assistant professor andco-director of the Clinical Nurse Leader program, leda mock health assessment class (complete with apop quiz), and students presented a paneldiscussion on the variety of academic programsoffered at the School. Tours of the clinicalsimulation and standardized patient laboratories,bench research laboratories, nursing museum, andWellmobile rounded out the day’s agenda.

“We were very pleased with the tremendous successof this event,” says Dean Janet Allan. “It was a joyto hear the students talk about their experiencesand future goals, and parents and friends seemedexcited to be here learning about our School and our programs.”

The event was co-sponsored by the Nursing StudentGovernment Association and the Graduate Student Association.

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First Family and Friends DayHeld at School of Nursing

Learning about mock codes at Family and Friends Day.

Joan Davenport, PhD ‘00,RN, assistant professor,Department of OrganizationalSystems and Adult Health, hasbeen named co-director of theClinical Nurse Leader (CNL)program. For the past fewyears, Davenport has directed

health assessment courses taken byundergraduate and CNL students, and has taughtother courses taken only by CNL students. Shewill continue as an assistant professor whileworking in this new role.

Allison Del Bene Davis,PhD ‘06, MS ‘03, BSN ‘02,APRN, BC, has beenappointed clinical instructorin the Department of Familyand Community Health.Davis received her PhD, MS,and BSN from the University

of Maryland School of Nursing. She comes tothe School from her previous position asdirector of nursing and project development atthe Association for Retarded Citizens of AnneArundel County.

FACULTY APPOINTMENTS/TRANSITIONS

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Faculty Appointments/Transitions

Morton Appointed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Patricia Gonce Morton, PhD ‘89, MS ‘79, RN, CRNP, FAAN, professorand director of the School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program,has been appointed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, after serving in theposition on an interim basis for seven months. Morton is also co-coordinatorfor the School’s Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialistmaster’s specialty in Trauma, Critical Care, and Emergency Nursing, andformerly served as Assistant Dean for Master’s Studies for four years. Inaddition to her academic roles, Morton practices as an acute care nursepractitioner at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

“I believe that my past education and experience, including various leadership roles, have prepared me toassume this important position,” says Morton. “In keeping with the School’s Strategic Plan, we havecommitted to the learner-centered teaching philosophy as we continue to prepare nursing leaders to shapeand influence the profession and the health care environment.”

A member of the School’s faculty for 27 years, Morton led the development of several newprograms, including the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program, the Nurse Anesthesia program,and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. In addition, she led a project to develop a criticalcare patient simulation laboratory, and received more than $3.2 million of funding and donatedequipment for the laboratory. She has developed strategies for integrating simulation into bothundergraduate and graduate nursing education.

Morton, who is well-known for her work in critical care nursing and nursing education, has authoredtwo textbooks, numerous book chapters, and many journals articles. She has been an active memberof the American Association of Critical Care Nurses at both the local and national level, and is currentlyserving a three-year term on their Board of Directors.

“Dr. Morton is nationally known and well-respected among her colleagues and peers, and we are honoredto have her serve as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs,” says Dean Janet Allan. “She brings a wealthof experience and a strong commitment to excellence to this position.”

Morton holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola College in Baltimore, a Bachelor ofScience in Nursing from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, and a Master of Science and PhDfrom the University of Maryland School of Nursing.


Margaret Hammersla, MS ‘05,BSN ‘95, RN, CRNP, has beenappointed clinical instructor in theDepartment of OrganizationalSystems and Adult Health.Hammersla received her BSN andMS (ANP) from the University ofMaryland School of Nursing. She

comes to the School from her previous position as anurse practitioner with EMA Health Services.

Mary Beth Esposito-Herr,PhD, RN, vice president ofpatient care services at theUniversity of Maryland MedicalCenter, has joined the School ofNursing as a visiting professor.She will be helping to develop theDoctor of Nursing Practice

leadership courses, and will be co-teaching the firstleadership course during the summer.

Paige Johnson, MSN, ANP,PNP, clinical instructor,Department of Family andCommunity Health, has beenappointed associate director of theSchool of Nursing’s Pan-AmericanHealth Organization/World HealthOrganization Collaborating Centre

for Mental Health Nursing. She will continue herfaculty role in pediatrics while working in this newcapacity.

Lyn Murphy, PhD, MBA, RN,assistant professor, Department ofOrganizational Systems and AdultHealth, has been named Directorof Professional Development in theOffice of Professional Developmentand Continuing Education. In thisrole, Murphy will advance the

Office’s capacity to build a portfolio of programmingthat supports the strategic vision of the School as aleader, innovator, and partner. She will continue inher role as a faculty member.

Tim Porter-O’Grady, EdD,PhD, RN, FAAN, has joined theSchool of Nursing as a visitingprofessor. Porter-O’Grady, who hasbeen involved in health care for34 years, is senior partner of TimPorter-O’Grady and Associates, aninternational health consulting

practice specializing in health systems futures,governance leadership, and conflict issues. He isalso an associate professor at Emory University inAtlanta. He holds degrees in nursing, clinicaladministration, learning behavior, and healthsystems; has done post-doctoral work in aging; andis a certified clinical specialist in gerontology.

Carol O’Neil, PhD, RN, CNE,assistant professor, Department ofFamily and Community Health,has been named director of theRN-BSN/RN-MS program. O’Neilbrings her educational experience,as well as extensive background inweb-based instruction to this

newly-created position. She will continue in her roleas co-director of the Institute for Educators inNursing and Health Professions.

Shannon Reedy, MS ‘03,CRNP, CCRN, has beenappointed clinical instructor in theDepartment of OrganizationalSystems and Adult Health. Sheholds an MS from the Universityof Maryland School of Nursing anda BSN from York College of

Pennsylvania. Reedy was previously employed as anurse practitioner with Osman Medical Associates.

Patty Wilson, MS, ‘98, BSN, ‘94,RN, has been appointed clinicalinstructor in the Department ofFamily and Community Health.Wilson received her MS and BSNfrom the University of MarylandSchool of Nursing. Her previouspositions include Project Grace

Nurse with Baltimore Health Care Access, andcommunity health clinical instructor with the JohnsHopkins University School of Nursing.

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Rashay Beard has joined the Department ofFamily and Community Health as anadministrative assistant. Beard was formerlyemployed as a legal assistant with Bozeman,Trott, and Savage in New York.

Karen Boone, BS, has joined the Departmentof Organizational Systems and Adult Health asresearch project coordinator for Dr. CatherineKelleher’s study team for her Agency forHealthcare Research and Quality grant, “HomeCare Outcomes of Expanded Home Health AideRoles.” She holds a Bachelor of Sciencedegree from Towson University.

James Camper has joined the Office ofAdmissions and Student Affairs as office clerkII for undergraduate admissions. He comes tothe School of Nursing from the University ofMaryland School of Medicine, where he workedas an office assistant for seven years.

Brian MacFarland, BS, has joined the Officeof Development and Alumni Relations as anadministrative assistant. MacFarland holds aBachelor of Science degree from the StateUniversity of New York-New Paltz. He comes tothe School of Nursing from San Francisco,Calif., where he worked for the Walter and EliseHaas Foundation.

Olumbunmi Oguntolu, BA, has joined theOffice of Student Affairs as an academicprogram specialist. Oguntolu holds a Bachelorof Arts degree in communications from BostonCollege. Her past experience includesresearcher/associate producer for New WaveEntertainment in Burbank, Calif., and officemanager with Office Team.

Tricia Raysor has joined the Office ofAdministrative Services as an office assistant.Raysor, who is currently completing her bachelor’sdegree, comes to the School of Nursing from herprevious position in Loyola College of Maryland’sGraduate Admissions Office.

Annie Rubens, MBA, BS, has joined theOffice of Communications as communicationsand special events coordinator. Rubens comesto the School of Nursing from Montana, whereshe worked in marketing and public relationsfor the State of Montana Missoula WorkforceCenter. She also owned and operated her ownprofessional photography business for 11 years.Rubens holds an MBA from the University ofMontana and BS in Education from theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison.

Charlotte Weber has joined the Department ofOrganizational Systems and Adult Health as anadministrative assistant. She comes to the Schoolof Nursing from the University of Maryland Schoolof Pharmacy, and brings many years ofadministrative experience to her new position.

Glendora Williams has joined the Office ofResearch as an administrative assistant.Williams comes to the School of Nursing fromUniversity Physicians, and has more than fiveyears of administrative experience.

Tara Lee Zaremba, AA, has joined theDepartment of Organizational Systems andAdult Health as research study coordinator forDr. Catherine Kelleher’s study team for herAgency for Healthcare Research and Qualitygrant, “Home Care Outcomes of ExpandedHome Health Aide Roles.” Zaremba, who holdsan associate’s degree from the CommunityCollege of Baltimore County, formerly workedas a recruiter.

ADMINISTRATIVE/STAFF APPOINTMENTS

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Administrative/Staff Appointments

Allyson B. Yospe has been named the Schoolof Nursing’s Director of Alumni Relationsand Annual Fund Development. In her fiveyears as Director of Alumni Programs for theUniversity of Maryland, College Park AlumniAssociation, Yospe successfully enhancedassociation membership acquisition andretention efforts, and was responsible forplanning and executing volunteerrecruitment, budgets, and direct mailcampaigns, as well as scholarship fundraisers,student sendoffs, and networking receptions.

She also served on the board of directors of four regionalalumni clubs and academic chapters, and on the AlumniAssociation Board of Governors.

While serving as Acting Senior Alumni Relations Directorfor the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of

Business, Yospe provided leadership in promotingstrategic plans for the Smith School’s eAlumni Network;publicized key alumni profiles through direct mail, print,and electronic technology; and provided tactical directionfor the executive board of the Alumni Chapter. She alsocollaborated with other departments on effective alumniprograms, volunteer recruitment, donor identification, andcultivation initiatives.

Yospe comes to the School of Nursing from the MercyMedical Center’s Development Office, where herfundraising efforts yielded more than $500,000 insponsorships and in excess of $300,000 in combinedevent and auction revenue.

Yospe holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and aBachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from theUniversity of Maryland, College Park.

Partnership, in the most basic sense of theword, means collaboration, companionship,relationship, or joint venture. It representspeople working together toward mutuallybeneficial goals and outcomes. As presidentof the University of Maryland School ofNursing’s Alumni Association, I cannotthink of a better example of a partnershipthan that of an alumnus with his or heralma mater. At the School of Nursing, weare proud that we have more than 16,000alumni that we can call our partners!

In this issue of University of Maryland NURSING,you will read about two alumnae who are partneringwith the School to advance nursing education andthe profession of nursing. Dr. Lisa Rowen, MS ‘86,who was recently named Senior Vice President ofPatient Care Services at the University of MarylandMedical Center (UMMC), plans to collaborate withthe School to educate students and integrate theminto clinical practice, as well as share other talentsand skills between the School and UMMC.

Robin Bailey Prothro, BSN ‘79, executive director ofthe Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for theCure, was instrumental in forming a partnershipbetween the School and the Maryland Affiliate thatemphasizes the critically important roles nurses play

in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, aswell as the recovery and healing process. Thisproject is the first of its kind in the nation linkingthe Komen Foundation with a nursing school.

While organizational partnerships are significant andplay a vital role within our School, the service ofalumni as volunteers on the Alumni FellowshipCommittee, the Alumni Council, or as docents in theNursing Museum also signifies a form of partnership— a demonstration of personal commitment to theSchool. Our regional alumni regularly serve aspreceptors for current students, return to the Schoolfor lectures and conferences, and also serve asguest lecturers in our classes.

There are many ways alumni can collaborate withthe School to help advance nursing education,research, and practice. We encourage you tocontact the Alumni Office to learn how you canbecome an alumni partner.

Best wishes,

Caleb A. Rogovin, CRNA, MS ‘92, CCRN, CENPresident, Alumni Association

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Letter from the Alumni PresidentNURSINGU n i v e r s i t y o f M a r y l a n d

Caleb A. Rogovin

Allyson B. Yospe

New Alumni Director Announced

THE ALUMNI PULSE

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Show your school spirit or purchase a gift for your favorite School of Nursing alumnus at the School of Nursing’sMarketplace! A variety of souvenirs and gift items, including spirit wear, jewelry, tote bags, note cards, and more, areavailable for purchase. Proceeds benefit the School’s Nursing Museum and the Alumni Association.

School of Nursing Marketplace

Item Quantity Price Per Item Total

____________________________ ____________________ __________________ ______________________

____________________________ ____________________ __________________ ______________________

____________________________ ____________________ __________________ ______________________

____________________________ ____________________ __________________ ______________________

+ $5 shipping/handling per order

Total ________________

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________

E-Mail Address:____________________________________________________________________________________

Daytime phone: ________________________________ Cell phone:________________________________________

Mail order form with payment to: Office of DevelopmentUniversity of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 West Lombard Street, Room 727, Baltimore, MD 21201-1579(Make checks payable to: University of Maryland School of Nursing) Questions? Call 410-706-7640.

ShirtsGolf Shirt (Pink, light blue, maize, navy blue and hunter green; Sizes M-XL $30Long Sleeve T-Shirt (Red, white; Sizes M, L, XL) $15Short Sleeve T-Shirt (Red, white; Sizes M, L, XL) $10Sweatshirt (Gray or red; Sizes M, L, XL) $20Hooded sweatshirt (Red, light gray, or two-tone dark grey & black; Sizes M, L, XL) $35

Hats:Baseball Cap (Navy blue, maroon) $15Visor (Maroon) $ 9

Umbrellas:Golf Umbrella (Red/white, black/gold) $25Tote Umbrella (Red, black) $15

Carrying Items:Lunch Sack (Red) $ 7Tote Bag (Red/Black) $10

Mugs:Travel Mug (red) $13Ceramic Mug (Red, white) $ 7

Clocks:Flip Clock $15Photo Frame Clock $15

Disc Charms:14K Gold $260 Gold Overlay $4510K Gold $210 Sterling Silver $35

Alumni Key Ring (Gold and black metal) $ 8License Plate Holder $15Journal $10Calculator $15School of Nursing Poster (18”x24”) $15Nursing Nostalgia Note Cards (12 per pack) $10School of Nursing Note Cards (10 per pack) $15

School of Nursing faculty, staff, students, and alumni, aswell as the nursing and health care community, celebratedthe life and accomplishments of Debra L. Spunt, DNP, MS ‘83, RN, FAAN, at a memorial service held April 18 atthe School of Nursing. Spunt, a revered colleague, teacher,mentor, and friend, died of cancer last March at age 50.

In her work as an educator, Spunt touched the lives ofthousands of nursing students through her work as anassistant professor and director of the School’s clinicalsimulation laboratories. Her true passion was in the areaof clinical simulation — the use of computerized humanpatient simulators and clinical case scenarios to educatenurses and other health care professionals. Her expertisefor integrating the use of clinical simulation into theeducational curriculum was second to none. Spunthelped establish the School’s 28 clinical simulation labs,which now serve as national and international models forstudent learning. She believed in experiential learningfor students, allowing them to make mistakes duringsimulated learning, so they would be better prepared totake care of real patients. This is the type of criticallearning that takes place in the labs, which have beennamed “The Debra L. Spunt, DNP, MS, RN, FAANClinical Simulation Laboratories,” in her honor.

An admitted perfectionist, Spunt insisted onstudents dressing and acting appropriately whilethey worked in the labs. Students were required towear white lab coats, examination gloves, and of

course, a stethoscope around their neck and at theready for any clinical scenario that might bepresented to them. Students always admired andrespected Spunt for her depth of clinical knowledge.

“You could be with Ms. Spunt just in passing, andyou would learn something from her,” says PriyaSaha, BSN ‘07. “She was always welcoming and approachable.”

In addition to her work as an educator, Spuntimpacted the lives of many patients at NorthwestHospital Center in Baltimore, where she worked onweekends as an administrative nurse coordinator.

“Debbie began her nursing career in 1964 as thefirst candy striper at Northwest Hospital Center,(formerly Baltimore General Hospital), and she neverleft,” says Sue Jalbert, MS, RN, vice president ofnursing at Northwest. “We always knew that ifDebbie was there, the hospital was in good hands.”

Once she had a goal in mind, Spunt persevered untilshe achieved that goal. From those early years as acandy striper, she worked very hard to earn herBachelor of Science in Nursing, and then her Masterof Science degree, both from the University ofMaryland School of Nursing. Desiring to advance hernursing education even further, Spunt enrolled in theSchool’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program infall 2006, and prior to her death, she was awarded acertification of completion for the DNP.

While Spunt received many honors and awardsthroughout her life, one of the greatest was her inductionas a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. Themention of this achievement — one of the highest anurse can obtain — always brought a smile to her face.She was so proud to be part of this elite group of nurses.

A tribute to Spunt cannot be written withoutacknowledging the love she had for her 15-year-old daughter Ellen. Spunt was a terrificmother, and she was so very proud of Ellen.

The search is underway for a new director for theSchool’s clinical simulation labs. However,replacing Debbie Spunt will be difficult, if notimpossible. She was the first, the pioneer, theleader, the expert, and the best in the world when itcame to the design and operation of clinicalsimulation laboratories for nursing education.

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Remembering a Beloved Nurse LeaderNURSINGU n i v e r s i t y o f M a r y l a n d


Debra L. Spunt

THE ALUMNI PULSE

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“Debbie Spunt has touched thousands of lives,and we were very fortunate to have someone ofher caliber serve on our faculty and direct oursimulation labs,” says Dean Janet Allan. “Shewill not only be missed for her extraordinarywork in the area of clinical simulation, but alsoas an outstanding teacher, colleague, and dearfriend to all who have come to know her.”

To honor Spunt’s contributions to the School ofNursing and the nursing profession, and tocelebrate her passion for promoting the use ofclinical simulation in nursing education,practice, and research, The Debra L. SpuntClinical Simulation Practice and ResearchEndowment fund has been established.Contributions can be made to “UMBF/SpuntEndowment” and sent to: University ofMaryland School of Nursing, Office ofDevelopment, 655 West Lombard St, Room727, Baltimore, MD 21201.


Making an Impact

Louis A. Shpritz, MD‘70, and DebbieShpritz, PhD, MS ‘82,BSN ‘78, a former facultymember in the School ofNursing’s Department ofOrganizational Systemsand Adult Health, are aliving testament to the

deep bonds of many of our nursing family withbeloved colleagues and faculty members. Throughtheir generosity, the Shpritz’s have bequeathed to theSchool of Nursing a $100,000 life insurance policydedicated to providing future support for The Debra L.Spunt Clinical Simulation Practice and ResearchEndowment. We commend the Shpritz’s for theirvision and their willingness to model how a plannedgift can be directed to fund a program that isimportant to them.

Dr. Louis A. Shpritz and Dr. Debbie Shpritz

Milbrey C. Neikirk, DIN ‘29Mildred Lance, DIN ‘30Mrs. William Hobbs, DIN ‘31Mary E. Lundeen, DIN ‘32Vivian Lindsey, DIN ‘33Margaret Sherman, DIN ‘33Mary F. Long, DIN ‘36 Francis E. Lamotte, DIN ‘37Frances V. Sappington, DIN ‘37Margaret Zell, DIN ‘39Frances S. Trembath, DIN ‘41M. Estelle Luther, DIN ‘43 Lois C. Beegle, DIN ‘44Margaret A. Janovitch, DIN ‘46Barbara “Barney” Mossberg, DIN ‘46Ellen Millar, DIN ‘47Mary Strain, DIN ‘47Marjorie W. Redburn, DIN ‘48Alice C. Dwyer, DIN ‘49 Patricia L. Anderson, BSN ‘54 Mary W. Arris, BSN ‘57

Elizabeth H. Nowikowski, BSN ‘59Margery A. Ramirez, BSN ‘59Lucy W. Crittenden, BSN ‘61Alma D. Petty, MS ‘61Iona M. Pettingill, BSN ‘62Rosa J. Ramiriz, BSN ‘62Judith C. Cohen, BSN ‘63 Valerie R. Zak, BSN ‘63Margaret B. Keller, MS ‘65Mae W. Muhr, MS ‘65Bertha O. Speight, MS ‘65Josephine R. Gretzula, MS ‘66Ann V. Nicholson, BSN ‘68Ruth L. Hans, BSN ‘68Janet C. Duncan, MS ‘70Bioneva C. Thaxton, MS ‘70Carla C. Joliat, BSN ‘71Shirley R. Veditz, MS ‘72Dorothy M. Kellmer, MS ‘73Carol A. Russell, BSN ‘73E. Irveline Hargett, BSN ‘74

Hugh A. McGeowan, MS ‘74Betty F. Quan, BSN ‘74Sally A. Ciuchta, MS ‘75Kathryn M. Wittenberg, BSN ‘75Lonnie E. Duncan, BSN ‘76Juretta H. Pruitt, BSN ‘76Pamela M. Fleming, BSN ‘77Peggy J. Voit, BSN ‘78Barbara L. Kreisberg, BSN ‘79Grace T. Seals, BSN ‘79Ernesto Monzon, MS ‘80Cecil S. Plumley, MS ‘80John J. McGloin, BSN ‘81Adelaide A. Haines, MS ‘83Debra L. Spunt, DNP, MS ‘83, BSN ‘79

Nancy Everett, BSN ‘84 Patricia E. Pforr, BSN ‘88Leslie H. Rushton, BSN ‘90Mary J. Devitt, MS ‘95Adekunbi F. Onipede, BSN ‘95

In Memoriam

Major General Gale Susan Pollock, a distinguishedalumna of the School of Nursing, was appointed InterimArmy Surgeon General and Commanding General ofArmy Medical Command, last March, following theretirement of Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley. Theannouncement was made by Acting Secretary of theArmy Pete Geren. Maj. Gen. Pollock became the U.S.Army Deputy Surgeon General in October 2006.

Maj. Gen. Pollock received her Bachelor of Sciencein Nursing degree in 1976 through the University ofMaryland School of Nursing’s Walter Reed ArmyInstitute of Nursing program. She also holds aMaster’s in Business Administration from BostonUniversity, a Master’s in Healthcare Administrationfrom Baylor University, a Master’s in NationalSecurity and Strategy from the National DefenseUniversity, and an honorary Doctorate of PublicService from the University of Maryland. She is acertified registered nurse anesthetist and a Fellow inthe American College of Healthcare Executives.

“We must move quickly to fill this position — thisleader will have a key role in moving the wayforward in meeting the needs of our woundedwarriors,” Geren said in an Army Public Affairspress release. “I am confident Maj. Gen. Pollockwill ably lead the Army Medical Department duringthis transition period.”

Maj. Gen. Pollock’s military education includes SeniorService College at the Industrial College of the ArmedForces, the U.S. Air Force Air War College, theInteragency Institute for Federal HealthcareExecutives, the Military Health System CAPSTONEprogram, the Principles of Advanced NurseAdministrators, and the NATO Staff Officer Course.Her past military assignments include SpecialAssistant to the Surgeon General for InformationManagement and Health Policy; commander, MartinArmy Community Hospital, Fort Benning, Ga.;commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity,Fort Drum, N.Y.; staff officer, Strategic InitiativesCommand Group for the Army Surgeon General;Department of Defense (DOD) health care advisor tothe Congressional Commission on Service membersand Veterans Transition Assistance; health fitnessadvisor at the National Defense University; seniorpolicy analyst in Health Affairs, DOD; and chief,Anesthesia Nursing Service at Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center, Washington, D.C.

Maj. Gen. Pollock’s awards and decorations includethe Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit(with two oak leaf clusters), the Defense MeritoriousService Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (withfour oak leaf clusters), the Joint ServiceCommendation Medal, the Army CommendationMedal and the Army Achievement Medal. Sheearned the coveted Expert Field Medic Badge, andshe is proud to wear the Parachutist Badge. Shereceived the Army Staff Identification Badge for herwork at the Pentagon and also earned the GermanArmed Forces Military Efficiency Badge“Leistungsabzeichen” in gold.

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School of Nursing Alumna NURSINGU n i v e r s i t y o f M a r y l a n d

Appointed Interim Army Surgeon General

Major General Gale Susan Pollock

THE ALUMNI PULSE

page 39

PresidentCaleb Rogovin, MS ‘92

Immediate Past PresidentBarbara Resnick, PhD ‘96

Vice PresidentPam Lentz, BSN ‘84, MS ‘00

TreasurerMarcie Snyder O’Reilly, BSN ‘88

SecretaryBeth D. Yarnold, BSN ‘96, MS ‘98

Members-at-LargeAmy Chesser, BSN ‘05Ethlynne “Woody” Crow, DIN ‘48Joan Davenport, PhD, ‘00W. Conrad Gordon, BSN ‘96, MS ‘02Janet Harris, PhD ‘97Gail Cameron Hooper, BSN ‘64, MS ‘67Jane Johnson, DIN ‘47Kimmith Jones, MS ‘92Kathryn Lothscheutz Montgomery, PhD ‘97Marilyn S. Murphy, MS ‘01Patricia Gonce Morton, MS ‘79, PhD ‘89Jewel Moseley-Gray, BSN ‘59Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD ‘03Carol Pane Romano, BSN ‘77, MS ‘85, PhD ‘93Janet Rexrode Southby, MS ‘71Sandra Sundeen, MS ‘68Sue Thomas, BSN ‘69, MS ‘73

Alumni Association Council

1930’s

Virginia Layfield, DIN ‘37, was featured inan article, “The Lady of the Tower,” thatappeared in the Sept. 18 edition of the DailyTimes, Salisbury, Md. The $100 millionexpansion project at Peninsula RegionalMedical Center, where Layfield served for 43years as a nurse and ultimately as the firstfemale president of the hospital, will be namedfor her.

1950’s

Helen Winks Valentine, DIN ‘51, recentlyretired as an APN in a practice with sixinternists, where she assessed and treatedpatients with mental health problems. In1954, Valentine received a BSN from theUniversity of Miami, where she was the firstpediatric nursing faculty member. She receivedan MSN from the Medical College of Georgia in1974 and became board certified by the ANCCas a Clinical Specialist in Adult Psychiatric andMental Health Nursing. Her career coveredteaching, clinical, and administrative positions.

1960’s

Katharine K. Spiegel, BSN ‘62, earned an MSfrom Virginia Commonwealth University in 1978and was formerly on staff at the Massey CancerCenter for the Medical College of Virginia inRichmond. In 2000, she and her husband, Dr.Jonas Spiegel, relocated to Lynchburg, Va., to becloser to their daughters (one of whom is an RN)and their grandchildren. Kathy is currently thepractice manager, supervising a staff of 35, at theLynchburg Hematology Oncology Clinic.

Georgia L. Narsavage, BSN ‘69, PhD,APRN, FAAN, has been named dean of theUniversity of West Virginia School of Nursing.Dr. Narsavage previously served as associatedean for academic affairs and professor at theMedical College of Georgia School of Nursing.

Teri Friedman Reid, BSN ‘69, MSN, RN,CRNP, was interviewed by National PublicRadio on, “The Story,” by Dick Gordon. Teridiscussed ways of helping young childrenthrough their parents’ military deployments,which can last a year or more. The interview isarchived at www.thestory.com. Teri is currentlya pediatric nurse based at Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Class Notes


1970’s

Jean M. Jones BSN ‘72, JD, returned to the Schoolof Nursing in March to conduct an Advanced NursingPractice class. Her presentation focused on hownurses could limit their own professional liability andthat of their employers. Jones is an associate withthe law firm Janet, Jenner and Suggs, and specializesin medical malpractice with a concentration oninjured children.

Sally Brown, BSN ‘74, RN, MGA, OCN, CCRP, iscurrently serving as president of the Greater BaltimoreChapter of the Oncology Nursing Society.

Margaret Widner Kolberg, BSN ‘75, PediatricAdvanced Life Support (PALS) nurse coordinator atSinai Hospital in Baltimore, and Mary Pat Cardoni,BSN ‘75, are currently participating in a humanitariantrip to Belarus, where they are teaching PALS.

Kerry VanSloten Harwood, MSN, BSN ‘78, RN,director, Cancer Patient Education Program and teamleader, Department of Advanced Clinical Practice atDuke University Hospital, and a clinical instructor atDuke University School of Nursing, was named one ofNorth Carolina’s “Great 100 Nurses,” recognizingoutstanding professional ability and contributions toimproving health care in the community. In 2005,Harwood received the Duke Friends of Nursing WilmaMinnear Award for Excellence in Nursing Mentorship.

Carla Sacha Gifford, BSN ‘79, was among theinaugural group of 17 recipients of the Barbara DonahoDistinguished Leadership in Learning Award from KentState University. The award recognizes nurses from theKent State affiliating clinical agencies who provideeffective leadership, demonstrate compassionate rolemodeling, and offer sound professional mentoring forKent State students in the clinical setting.

1980’s

Marye Dorsey Kellerman, MS ‘81, RN, CRNP, hasserved as President of Educational Entities, a businessshe runs with her husband, for the past 12 years. She isa nurse entrepreneur and developer of NECESSARYworkshops, including NECESSARY EKG, NECESSARYNP, and NECESSARY assessment programs. Kellermanuses accelerated learning theory to teach, motivate,stimulate, and entertain her student and faculty learners.Her schematic is utilized around the world.

Mary Beth Flynn Makic, PhD, MS ‘82, RN, hascompleted her PhD in Nursing at the University ofColorado. She is a graduate of the School ofNursing’s trauma, critical care, and emergencynursing master’s program.

Carolyn R. Schubert, MS ‘83, BSN ‘74, wasrecently awarded the Outstanding Educator Awardfor 2006-2007 from the Sigma Theta Tau EpsilonChapter, The Ohio State University, where she servesas a clinical instructor. Schubert is the daughter ofJoan Hessey, DIN ’50.

Adele Wilzack, MS ‘85, RN, was recently electedchair of the Delmarva Foundation. Wilzack is theformer Secretary of the Maryland Department ofHealth and Mental Hygiene.

Cecelia Gatson Grindel, PhD ‘88, RN,CMSRN, FAAN, president of the AmericanAcademy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, was quoted ina story, “Celebrating 15 Years: At 6,000 Strong, theAmerican Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses isStill Growing,” which was printed in the Sept. 25,2006 issue of Advance for Nurses magazine.

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Jean Jones conducts Advanced Nursing Practice class

THE ALUMNI PULSE

page 41

Melanie Heltsley Osley, BSN ‘88, MBA, RN,CPHRM, DFASHRM, has been awarded thedesignation of Distinguished Fellow of theAmerican Society for Healthcare Risk Management(DFASHRM). Osley, who is the only RN in the NewEngland states to achieve this recognition, servedas president of the Connecticut chapter of ASHRMin 2005. She was the first person in the state ofConnecticut to obtain the Certified Professional inHealthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)designation (in 2000). She currently serves asdirector of risk management and patient safety atthe Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington,Conn., and also works as a nursing supervisor at St.Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford.She is the owner of RNs/Risk NetworkingSolutions, LLC, a risk, quality, and patient safetyeducation and consulting company.

Patricia Sengstack, MS ‘88, RN, has beennamed Deputy CIO for Nursing Informatics in theDepartment of Clinical Research Informatics at theNational Institutes of Health. She has beeninvolved in various nursing informatics rolesincluding academia, management of clinicalimplementations, application design, businessprocess redesign, security SME, clinical operationsteam lead, and executive clinical liaison.

1990’s

Stephanie Devaney, BSN ‘92, completed heranesthesiology residency at the University ofMichigan and joined a private practice group inMinneapolis. Devaney graduated from theUniversity of Michigan School of Medicine in2003, and prior to that, she practiced as aSurgical ICU and ECMO nurse at the Universityof Michigan Hospital.

RADM Carol Romano, PhD ‘93, MS ‘85,BSN ‘77, assistant surgeon general and chiefnurse officer in the U.S. Public Health Service,delivered the commencement address at WaldenUniversity’s last graduation ceremony. She spokeabout the public health challenges for the 21stcentury, the Surgeon General’s priorities for thehealth of the nation, and the role of the U.S.Public Health Service, as well as the value ofnurses as partners with consumers, other medicalprofessionals, and health and human serviceworkers to effect social change.

Myrna Mamaril, MS ‘93, co-authored anarticle, “Prevention and Management ofPostoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Look atComplementary Techniques,” which appearedin the December 2006 issue of the Journal ofPeriAnesthesia Nursing.

Margaret Faith Hart, PhD, MS ‘96,completed her doctoral degree at BarryUniversity in Miami. The title of her researchwas, “Culturally Diverse Newly GraduatedRegistered Nurses’ Lived Experience of Being Mentored.”

Dee Jones, BSN ‘98, who will complete herMSN in Nursing Leadership at WilmingtonCollege in fall 2007, recently accepted aposition with the Veteran’s Administration ascare coordinator for Perry Point and Ft. Howardin the Care Coordination Home Telehealthprogram. In addition, Jones was inducted intothe Omicron Gamma Chapter of Sigma ThetaTau this past spring.

Susan L. Manny, BSN ‘98, RN, is currentlyworking as a pediatric nurse and, for the pasteight years, has been part of the nursing teamat Frederick Memorial Healthcare System inFrederick, Md.

Mary Emma Middleton, MS ‘98, BSN ‘94,presented a poster, “Frequency of Clinical Visitsfor Erythropoietic Therapy in Older Patients withCancer: Possibilities for Improving Convenienceof Treatment,” at the International Society ofNurses in Cancer Care Conference, held last fallin Toronto. The poster was also accepted forinclusion at the Maryland Nurses Association’sAnnual State Convention, also held last fall.Middleton is currently working as an oncologynurse practitioner at Calvert Memorial Hospital inPrince Frederick, Md.

Renee John Repique, MS ‘99, APRN, BC,has been promoted to Director of Nursing inBehavioral Health at Payne Whitney Manhattan,Weill Cornell Medical Center of New YorkPresbyterian Hospital in New York City. Inaddition, he is currently pursuing a post-master’scertificate in nursing informatics at theUniversity of Maryland School of Nursing.



Please send us information about what’s happening in your life – appointments, presentations, honors, awards,advanced education/degrees – so we can include your news in the “Alumni Pulse” section of the NURSINGmagazine. Photos are welcomed! Your news items will be used as space permits.

NAME (INCLUDE MAIDEN NAME): ________________________________________________________________

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PLEASE COMPLETE FORM, DETACH, AND RETURN TO:

Allyson Yospe, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund DevelopmentUniversity of Maryland School of Nursing655 West Lombard Street, Suite 729Baltimore, MD 21201E-mail: [email protected] • Fax: 410-706-0399

Alumni – Share Your News!

2000’s

Maher M. El-Masri, PhD ‘03, MS ‘98, authored anarticle, “Nurses’ Roles with Families: Perceptions of ICUNurses,” which appeared in the January 2007 issue ofthe Journal of Intensive and Critical Care Nursing.

Marty Non, MS ‘04, RN, CNS, LTC, ANCRetired, has been working at Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center (WRAMC) in the Occupational HealthClinic as a contractor nurse with Lockheed Martin, Inc.She specifically works as program manager for DTRA(Defense Threat Reduction Agency) based out of FortBelvoir, Va., home of DTRA and Defense LogisticsAgency. This surveillance program provides medicalclearance for individuals, both military and civilianemployees of DTRA, who serve in varied capacities(mostly escorts) to CONUS weapon sites that are beingdemilitarized as part of the Weapons Treaty Agreement.In this position, Marty practices within the scope of anadvance practice provider. While working at WRAMC,the Occupational Health Clinic provided surveillancescreening for biosurety programs at Walter Reed ArmyInstitute of Research, Armed Forces Institute ofPathology, and to all WRAMC civilian and military

employees, including fire fighters, security, police, andfirst responders at the White House and other areamilitary facilities.

Susan K. Newbold, PhD ‘06, MS ‘83, RNBC,FAAN, FHIMSS, received an “Excellence inTeaching 2007” Award from the VanderbiltUniversity School of Nursing, where she is anassociate professor.

Robin Purdy Newhouse, PhD ‘00, MS ‘99, RN,CAN, CNOR, currently holds the positions ofassistant professor at the Johns Hopkins UniversitySchool of Nursing and nurse researcher at the JohnsHopkins Hospital. She received a BSN from theUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County in 1987,and holds an MGA in Health Care Management fromthe University of Maryland, University College.

Army Nurse Corps Major Louis Stout, MS ‘02, chief of professional programs, DefenseMedical Readiness Training Institute, has beenpromoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

page 42



Steven S. Cohen, chair of the School ofNursing’s Board of Visitors, has namedMartha A. Duggan as the Board’s newestmember. In her role as vice president ofthe Mid-Atlantic Region for ConstellationNewEnergy, Inc., Duggan is responsiblefor sales, marketing, operations, pricing,finance, regulatory, and legal functionssupporting the geographic region ofMaryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, andWashington, D.C. Prior to this position,

she served as vice president of business development forthe Mid-Atlantic Region, overseeing a sales team of 13managers, and was responsible for the strategyunderlying revenue growth, product development, andbusiness expansion.

Before joining Constellation NewEnergy,Duggan held a variety of positions includingregional manager of regulatory affairs forReliant Resources, Inc.; director of regulatoryaffairs for Statoil Energy; director of customeraccounts, manager for rate accounting, publicaffairs area manager, and regulatory affairsmanager for Washington Gas Light; and seniorassociate for Whitfield Russell Associates.

Duggan holds a Bachelor of Science degreefrom Georgetown University and a Master ofBusiness Administration degree from TheGeorge Washington University.

Steven S. CohenChairman, Board

of VisitorsSenior Vice President,Integrated Operations,MedStar Health

Eric R. BaughConsultantFaculty, Malcolm

Grow HospitalAndrews Air

Force Base

Debra B. DoyleSenior Vice President Health and Operations

ManagementErickson Retirement

Communities

Martha A. DugganVice President,

Mid-Atlantic RegionConstellation

NewEnergy

Antonella Favit-Van Pelt

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Jack GildenPresidentGilden Integrated

Sonya Gershowitz Goodman, ‘73

Frances Lessans,‘80, ‘85PresidentPassport Health

Victoria C.McAndrewsCo-Founder, Senior

Vice President, and CFO

CMD Outsourcing Solutions

KatherineMcCullough ‘79

David S. OrosChairman of the BoardNexCen Brands, Inc.andManaging DirectorGlobal Domain

Partners, LLP

Marian OsterweisIndependent

Consultant

Beth A. PetersVice President

for DevelopmentBaltimore-Washington

Medical Center

Judy Akila Reitz, ‘71, ‘76

Executive Vice President and COO

The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Caleb Rogovin, ‘92PresidentUniversity of Maryland

Alumni Association

Alan SilverstoneIndependent

Consultant

Julia Ann SmithSenior Vice PresidentCommerce Bank

Deborah TillettPresidentBreakAway, Ltd.

William A. ZellmerDeputy Executive

Vice PresidentAmerican Society of

Health System Pharmacists

DEVELOPMENT

page 43

Martha Duggan

Board of Visitors

Joins Board of Visitors

The School of Nursing’s Board of Visitors consists of dynamic and active individuals whose contributions of time,knowledge, and funds serve as a cornerstone for 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 thegreater Baltimore business and professional community, and partner with the School in strategic fundraising initiatives.

Christina Harman has joinedthe School of Nursing as MajorGifts Officer in the Office ofDevelopment. Harman hasbeen a fund raisingprofessional in the academicarena for many years, spending25 years at Widener University(Penna.), where she started asthe director of alumnirelations. After moving up todevelop and direct a highlysuccessful annual fund atWidener, she became senior

development officer during the University’s firstcomprehensive campaign. In 2001, Harman took a leavefrom her professional career to care for her aging parents.

“It was during the five years I cared for my parents thatI learned how critical nurses are to everyone, and howmany lives they touch all day, every day,” Harman says.“I am proud to be a fundraiser for a school of nursing,and particularly for this prestigious School.”

Harman says her passion has been in securingsignificant support for higher education. “Now, Ihave the privilege of assisting with this School’ssuperior dedication to the nursing profession andthe entire health care arena,” she says.

Born in Baltimore, Harman received her Bachelor ofArts degree from the University of Delaware. Shehas served as a board member for the AmericanSociety of Inventors, and presently volunteers forPartners in Care in Severna Park, Md.

The School of Nursing and the Maryland Affiliate of SusanG. Komen for the Cure (Komen Maryland) have joinedforces to heighten the awareness, knowledge, and skills offaculty, students, practicing nurses, and communitymembers about the current state of science concerning theprevention, detection, and treatment of people with breastcancer. “The Komen Maryland Affiliate NursingPartnership: Advancing Education and Practice,” issupported by a three-year grant awarded to the School byKomen Maryland, and is the first of its kind in the nationlinking the Komen Foundation with a nursing school.

Sandra McLeskey, PhD, RN, professor and assistantdean for research at the School of Nursing is theproject leader. McLeskey has spent most of heracademic career researching breast cancer andteaching nursing students about cancer development,pathophysiology, and treatment. Co-leaders of theproject include Deborah McGuire, PhD, RN,FAAN, professor, who is a cancer nurse and cancerresearcher; Barbara Covington, PhD, RN, associatedean for information and learning technologies, andNina Trocky, MSN, RN, clinical instructor.

During the first year of the partnership, a series ofinterrelated initiatives have been introduced, whichwill continue during future years of the funding.

These projects directly support the mission of SusanG. Komen for the Cure, which is to eradicate breastcancer as a life-threatening disease by advancingresearch, education, screening, and treatment. Thisfunding also provides a unique and innovative modelto emphasize critically important roles that nursesplay in the fight against breast cancer.

Komen Distinguished LectureMore than 200 nursing students, nursing faculty, andcommunity members attended the first KomenDistinguished Lecture, held at the School of Nursingin March. The lecture was presented by AngelaBrodie, PhD, a world-renowned breast cancerresearcher, who developed the class of drugs known

page 44


Harman Named Major Gifts Officer

School of Nursing and KomenJoin Forces


Dr. Anglea Brodie (second from right) holds discussion withSchool of Nursing students following her lecture

Christina Harman

as aromatase inhibitors used for breast cancer.Brodie outlined her 30-year effort to developaromatase inhibitors, including the challengesof bringing the treatment strategy to theattention of the National Cancer Institute anddrug manufacturers. These drugs have nowreplaced tamoxifen as first-line treatment forestrogen receptor positive breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

Komen Visiting ScholarDuring March and April, JaneArmer, PhD, RN, from theUniversity of Missouri atColumbia, spent two weeksvisiting the School of Nursingin her role as The KomenVisiting Scholar. Armer is awell-known breast cancerresearcher who has conductedground-breaking work in

characterizing the incidence and time course ofpost-breast cancer lymphedema. Through visitsto nursing classes and during seminars at theSchool, Armer interacted with undergraduate,master’s, and doctoral students, explaining herresearch and speaking about research design anddevelopment. In addition, she collaborated withproject leaders in the development of webcastsfor educational outreach. Armer also spoke tomany groups of professionals, including nurses,physicians, and physical therapists, at cancercenters throughout the Baltimore-Washington,D.C. region, and she visited several meetings ofbreast cancer survivors in the Baltimore area,where she discussed lymphedema.

Komen ConfereesMcLeskey and four Komen Conferees attendedthe San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium inDecember 2006. The conferees includedmaster’s oncology nursing students who hadcompleted their coursework on cancer geneticsand pathophysiology to prepare them for theconference. McGuire and two master’s nursingstudents attended the National Cancer NursingResearch Conference sponsored by the OncologyNursing Society, which was held in California inFebruary 2007. While attending the conference,they were able to meet with fellow students fromthe University of Missouri School of Nursing andDr. Jane Armer, the Komen Visiting Scholar. Onemaster’s student attended the Oncology Nursing

Society’s 32nd Annual Congress, held in Nevadain April. Each of the Komen Conferees wereawarded a stipend to support attendance at theseconferences and, upon return, presentedhighlights of the meetings to fellow nursingstudents, professional colleagues, and School ofNursing faculty.

Scholar-in-ResidenceAs the 2007 Komen Scholar-in-Residence, McLeskey isdeveloping breast cancer-specific web-basededucational modules. Thesemodules will be incorporatedinto the School’sundergraduate curriculum.

More Komen NewsThe School of Nursing supported the Race forthe Cure in October 2006 by recruiting raceparticipants. Because the School had one ofthe largest teams in the race, Ethan Allendonated a memorial chair to the School, whichwas signed by breast cancer survivors whoparticipated in the race. This chair will sit in aplace of honor in the School of Nursing.

Based on the impressive annual report for thefirst year of the grant, Komen Maryland hasawarded the School of Nursing more than$180,000 to continue the partnership next year.

“We are excited about this unique partnershipwith Komen Maryland, and we are very proudthat our School is developing a national modelfor teaching breast cancer awareness in schoolsof nursing,” says Dean Janet Allan.

DEVELOPMENT

page 45


Myrna Petersen, director of development; Dean Janet Allan;Robin Prothro, Komen Maryland; Dr. Deborah McGuire,Dr. Sandra McLeskey; and Dr. Kevin Cullen, UMMS,gather for presentation of first check for the Komen grant

Dr. Jane Armer

Dr. Sandra McLeskey


Leading the Charge for Komen Maryland

As executive director of the Maryland Affiliate of SusanG. Komen for the Cure, Robin Bailey Prothro, BSN ‘79, MPH, RN, is charged with being responsiveto community needs regarding breast health and breastcancer, as well as developing a reputation of integrityand excellence for all Komen Maryland programs. Inthis role, Prothro was instrumental in working with theSchool of Nursing to develop “The Komen MarylandAffiliate Nursing Partnership: Advancing Education andPractice” – the first collaboration of its kind in thenation linking Susan G. Komen for the Cure with aschool of nursing.

Prothro takes great pride in her contributions in cultivating this partnership withher alma mater. She says it has been a rewarding and successful teamapproach to creating an innovative program in the community through a nursingschool, and she hopes to work with other Komen affiliates and nursing schoolsto develop similar programs. “It was serendipitous that my first outreachregarding this program was to the University of Maryland School of Nursing,”says Prothro. “However, my familiarity with this institution certainly gave mefaith that could develop a winning program.”

A 1979 graduate of the School of Nursing, Prothro says being an RN hasplayed a pivotal role in every position she has held, including her current roleas executive director at Komen Maryland. When the Komen Maryland Boardrecruited for an executive director, they wanted someone with a healthbackground, so being an RN fit the bill. Her general understanding of health,her experience within the health care delivery system, and her exposure tohealth practitioners has been very advantageous in this position, as well. “Goodnurses are naturally good managers with good people skills and the ability toconstantly evaluate and assess situations to make the changes our dynamicworld demands,” she says.

Komen Maryland has experienced significant growth under Prothro’s leadership. Theywere recently named the Komen Affiliate of the Year (there are 125 affiliatesnationwide) in recognition of their innovative programming and demonstratedleadership. During Prothro’s tenure as executive director, grant funding has increasedfrom $500,000 in FY2000 to $2.3 million in FY2008. This funds over $1 million inthe local community and over $1 million in the national research program, of which$500,000 is based in Baltimore academic and medical institutions. In addition,Maryland’s Race for the Cure has grown significantly, with a goal of 30,000registrants for the 2007 race to be held Sunday, Oct. 14, in Hunt Valley, Md.

Looking to the future, Prothro hopes to see a reduction in the incidence of breastcancer in the state due to the efforts of the Komen Maryland. She plans to initiatesatellite offices within the next three years so Komen Maryland can increase theiroutreach efforts to all communities, races, cultures, and geographic locations inMaryland.

Robin Bailey Prothro

DEVELOPMENT

page 47

Your contribution to the School of Nursing has a direct impact on the livesof our students. You may choose to support the Annual Fund, designate

your gift to a program of your choice, or remember us in your estateplanning. Please make your check payable to “UMBF/SoN,”* note yourfund of choice on the memo line of your check, and return it in the self-

addressed, postage-paid envelope found in the center fold this magazine.

For more information, please contact:Myrna Petersen, Director of Development

Phone: 410-706-4008 ~ Fax: 410-706-0399E-mail: [email protected]

*Funds for the School of Nursing are administered by theUniversity of Maryland Baltimore Foundation, Inc.

www.nursing.umaryland.edu

Make an Impact

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF NURSINGSUPPORT THE

WITH A GIFT OF ANY SIZE

Summer Institute in Nursing InformaticsWednesday, July 18 – Saturday, July 21, 2007For information, call 410-706-3767 or visit:www.nursing.umaryland.edu/informatics

Edmunds LectureFall 2007Date and speaker to be announced.For information, call 410-706-3767 or visit:www.nursing.umaryland.edu/events

Dean’s Distinguished Virginia Lee Franklin LectureFall 2007 Date and speaker to be announced.For information, call 410-706-3767 or visit:www.nursing.umaryland.edu/events

Black History Month LectureThursday, February 25, 20084 to 5:30 p.m.; reception following lectureFeaturing Linda Boles-Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN,Vice-president and Chief Nursing Officer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles; president of theAmerican Academy of Nursing; and recently-appointed to the National Advisory Council on NurseEducation and PracticeFor information, call 410-706-3767 or visit:www.nursing.umaryland.edu/events

Evidence-Based Practice ConferenceSpring 2008Dates and topics to be announced.For information, call 410-706-3767 or visit:www.nursing.umaryland.edu/events

Alumni Heritage CelebrationSpring 2008Date and activities to be announced.For information, call 410-706-0674 or visit:www.nursing.umaryland.edu/development


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