School of Nursing News: Winter 2019
Nursing students travel to Cuba and faculty are recognized for leadership and innovation
Adjunct Faculty for International Nursing and Health Policy, and Program Director for the Patient Navigation Certificate Lisa Darsch, MSN, RN, is an ICN 2018 Global Nurse Leadership Institute (GLNI) Scholar. In 2018, U.S. nurses joined their international counterparts in a five-month global health and policy immersion, including a week-long residency in Geneva, Switzerland, where they networked with global nurse leaders and thought leaders from the World Health Organization, ICN, and other non-governmental organizations. The GNLI Scholars deepened their understanding of global health challenges and strategies for advancing policy change in a global context. The International Nurses Association also recently recognized Darsch as a Worldwide Leader in Healthcare and a Top Nurse in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
Assistant Professor of Nursing and Director of the Scholar Plaza, Loudoun Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Kathleen Eid-Heberle, MSN, RN, NHDP-BC, CNE, and Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Professor of Nursing and RN-BSN Online Coordinator Janice S. Smith, Ph.D., RN, CNE, ANEF, were recognized with a Pacesetting Program Award at the Southern Regional Education Board, Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The award recognized Shenandoah’s innovation in creating a required three-credit Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Nursing course, which was started in 2005 and continues to run 13 years later. Similar elective courses are offered at graduate levels in nursing.
School of Nursing faculty/clinical coordinator Rhea Williams ’13 CNM, received the 2018 Carrington-Hsia-Nieves Doctoral Scholarship for Midwives of Color from the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) Foundation. In addition to this scholarship, Rhea’s abstract, “Antepartum Nutritional Guidance for Obese Patients,” was accepted for an education session at the national midwifery meeting in Washington, D.C.
School of Nursing Lecturer Sharon Simon, MS, RN, has received the Connie Henry Grant Award. The grant award of $750 will be used to purchase medications for the Brazil GEL Trip in March 2019.
Shenandoah University’s Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing and the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business went on a joint venture to Cuba in January. The Entrepreneur & Nursing Exchange program was packed full of people-to-people exchange activities and provided opportunities to learn about and experience Cuba‘s art, music, dance, and history, while still focusing on entrepreneurship and nursing in Cuba. This multi-school program presented a unique learning experience in each area. The nursing, physician assistant (PA), public health and business students spent the majority of their time together. However, during the trip, nursing, PA and public health students met local Cuban physicians and nurses, visited nursing facilities, and learned about Cuba‘s health care system. The business students met local business owners to discuss challenges, and marketing and financial options, and also visited local Cuban facilities. Additionally, students enjoyed the beauty of Havana, Cuba, and learned about Cuban culture and history.
More than 400 stuffed animals were adopted at the Teddy Bear Clinic staffed by Shenandoah nursing students on Feb. 23 at the Community Wellness Festival at Apple Blossom Mall. Students provided community members with information on healthy eating, and checked blood pressures and blood sugars. Students took over 360 blood pressure readings during the day.
