Lifelines Fall/Winter 2013

www.musc.edu/nursing

Lifelines

Fall | Winter 2013

Medical University of soUth carolina college of nUrsing

V

taking nUrsing to a higher level

130C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING

One Hundred & Thirty YearsThe College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina is celebrating a milestone - 130 years of nursing education excellence, making it one of the oldest schools of nursing in the country. The College opened its doors to nursing students in 1883 as a “training school for nurses” at the request of the City Hospital. Over the years the name has changed and ownership has passed, but its vision today is similar to the vision 130 years ago–to provide nursing education and excellence.

When the College opened in 1883, the student enrollment included 14 students and physicians as faculty members. Today, the College has a student enrollment of over 460 students, 46 full-time faculty, and four programs of study.

Over the past 130 years, the College of Nursing has become one of the most respected nursing schools in the region, while being proud of its accomplishments and contributions in the Charleston community. We eagerly anticipate the commitments the College of Nursing will make over the next 130 years and will continue to solidify its leadership role in the education of nurses well into the future.

This year marks the College of Nursing’s

130th anniversary. We are, indeed, one of

the oldest schools of nursing in the country—

one that has transitioned from a training

program, to a diploma program, and now to

a college that offers BSN, MSN, DNP and PhD

degrees. Thus we are proudly celebrating 130

glorious years in which we have truly “Taken

Nursing to a Higher Level.”

In this issue of Lifelines you will read

stories about the students, programs and

projects that help us achieve and excel in our mission. Specifically, we

will focus on four exciting areas that capture the amazing activities of our

College:

> Caring – the heart that characterizes all that we undertake

> Discovering – the brain of our inventiveness and problem solving

> Leading – the feet that accelerate us on our creative and

innovative paths, and

> Growing – the hands that reach outward and upward to new

horizons.

As I reflect on our history I also am

reminded of the inscription on our College

of Nursing pin. It is “Auget Lar-gendo.

This means, “she, the College, enriches

generously.” Our faculty and staff make that

ideal come alive each and every day.

We now humbly ask that you consider

“enriching generously” as well. The pages that

follow reflect the many opportunities that

you have to financially support us in our ongoing activities. We could not

accomplish all that we have done without your active engagement with us,

and for that we are so very grateful.

Finally, I am most moved by the words of Winston Churchill who said,

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” At no time

in our history has the College of Nursing needed your visible and dedicated

philanthropic support more than the present. As you read about all that we

have accomplished, I ask you to help us take nursing to an even higher level

as we venture on to the next 130 years!

Gail W. Stuart, PhD, RN, FAAN

Dean and Distinguished University Professor

Gail W. Stuart,Dean

Jo Smith,Editor

Beth Khan,Design & Production

Mardi Long,BSN Program & Alumni Services Coordinator

Laurie Scott,Director of Development

A publication of the Medical University of South Carolina

College of Nursing

PUBLiShed By

hAve feedBACK? SeNd CoMMeNtS to:

Jo Smith

Lifelines editorMUSC College of Nursing

99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160Charleston, SC 29425-1600

[email protected](843) 792-3941

99 Jonathan Lucas StreetCharleston, SC 29425


MUSC NUrSeS ChANGe LiveS

PoStMASter: Send corrections to Lifelines, MUSC College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160, Charleston, SC 29425-1600. © Copyright 2013 by the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nurs-ing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced without permission from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing.

volume Xi, issue 2 • fall/Winter 2013

Lifelines

Dean’s Column

taking nUrsing to a higher level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The College reaches for higher levels of excellence through caring, discovering, leading and growing.

higher levels of giving ........................................................................................ 20 Take a look at our generous donors and the lives they have touched.

globalization: spanning coUntries and cUltUre ....................................... 30 Our faculty, staff, students, and alumni engage in collaborative global partnerships.

departments

CoNteNtsfeatures

dean’s colUMn ............................................................................................................. 1

aroUnd the college .............................................................................................. 34

focUs on facUlty .................................................................................................... 42

stUdent spotlight .................................................................................................. 46

alUMni connections .............................................................................................. 50

lines of life ............................................................................................................... 56

MUSC College of Nursing –

Taking Nursing to a Higher

Level. That is the theme of this

issue of Lifelines. An issue that also

celebrates the glorious 130 year

anniversary of our College and that

launches our development campaign

for the future.

Our history is impressive in

both our aspirations and our

accomplishments and we take great

pride in all that we do. But we have

our sights set on still “higher levels”

of excellence. These plans reflect our

work in four major areas—caring,

discovering, leading and growing.

In this issue of Lifelines we will

share stories about our faculty

and students and the lives they’ve

touched. From ground-breaking

research and new technologies to

stories of inspiration, we will show

you how MUSC nurses are changing

lives every day.

None of these efforts would

be possible, however, without

the support we receive from our

many benefactors—gifts from our

alumni and friends, philanthropic

contributions, and support from

foundations and other funding

agencies. All of these sources are

crucial to our success. Whether it

is funding much needed student

scholarships, supporting community

programs, or enhancing research

dollars, the gifts and grants we receive

impact everything we do in the

College of Nursing.

As you read these pages of

amazing stories, we hope you will be

inspired to join us and help support

us financially to “Take Nursing to a

Higher Level.”

Taking

higher levelnursing to a

higher levelnursing to a

Fall | Winter 2013 Lifelines 5

6 Lifelines Fall | Winter 2013

It’s the little things that matter in a

pretty building tucked behind the

Charleston Police Department on Bees

Ferry Road. Inside this building, pa-

tience is a virtue and progress is mea-

sured in the smallest of milestones.

Children are doing things that many

people considered impossible and the

pride is overflowing from family and

staff, who are helping these miracles

take place. Many times the progress is

measured in bright smiles or simple

motions of one little finger, but to

those who can interpret these actions,

they are giant steps forward.

College of Nursing faculty

member, Carrie Cormack, is among

the founding board members for

Pattison’s Academy that opened in

2006 with the mission to

improve the quality of life for

children with multiple disabilities

by integrating education and

rehabilitation. In the beginning,

Pattison’s Academy operated a

successful four week summer

day program. Strong parental and

community support led to the

creation of Pattison’s Academy for

Comprehensive Education (PACE)

in 2010. It now offers a year round

innovative educational, rehabilitative,

and nursing model of care.

When the opportunity came for

Ms. Cormack to work at Pattison’s

Academy as director of nursing

services, she never hesitated.

“Integrating these two roles of

clinician and instructor has been

extremely rewarding,” Ms. Cormack

says.

For the past several summers,

College of Nursing students have

visited Pattison’s Academy during

summer camp. Until this year, their

experience consisted of a one-day

hands-on experience. “Introducing

nursing students to this amazing

population of children with severe

and multiple disabilities, in an

environment that is healthy and

safe, where the children are learning,

thriving, making friends, and meeting

goals, is extremely important,” Ms.

Cormack says. “Most interactions that

medical professionals have with this

population is in a hospital setting

under very different circumstances.

Here at Pattison’s Academy, nursing

students are able to learn about the

children’s abilities, more than their

disabilities.”

Feedback from students has been

extremely positive. Mary Stone,

Accelerated BSN student, remarks, “It

was eye opening to see how much

care and attention is put into each

student, and the impact that the

school has on their lives and the lives

of their families. The outpouring

of affection that the educators and

therapists have for the students was

apparent as soon as I walked into a

classroom.”

HIGHER LEvELS OF...

practice grants

A total of $152,409 practice grants were funded in fiscal year 2012-2013. Among those funded were:

$70,000 - Teen Health Advocate Leadership Program

$23,416 - PASOs in South Carolina: Promoting Prevention and Bridging the Gaps for the Vulnerable Latino Population

$20,000 - Education, Outreach and Advocacy to Reduce Health Disparities

WitNessiNG MiraCLes

Caring is the core of nursing. individuals who choose nursing as a profession are driven by their desire to care for others. in the following stories you will learn how our faculty and students truly are changing lives.

Caring


relationship between pattison’s academy and MUsc continues to grow

“ I chose the nursing profession because it allows nurses to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. To me, being a compassionate nurse means truly placing yourself in someone else’s shoes–advocating for

their desires and providing unbiased, nonjudgmental care.” – Christie Beck, Accelerated BSN student

Today Pattison’s Academy is an

official clinical site for undergraduate

nursing students. Approximately 40

nursing students are rotated through

PACE, with each student having a

three to four day clinical experience.

“The students are experiencing more

of the daily routine of these healthy

children with severe and multiple

disabilities and the therapists and

educators that work with them, ”

Ms. Cormack says.

As the relationship between the

College of Nursing and Pattison’s

Academy increases, so will the

progress being made. Ms. Cormack

shares, “Toward the end of the last

school year, one of the classrooms

started a reading program. Within the

program students were assisted to

point to each word/sentence being

read. During one of the reading

sessions, the teacher said ‘LaMaun it’s

your turn to read the story.’ He raised

his hand and extended his pointer

finger to follow along. This may not

seem like a big victory to many, but

LaMaun’s hands are constantly in a

fisted position. It was so amazing to

see that he made the connection to

reading the story, using his finger

to follow along. This is a remarkable

first step on the road to successful

independent reading for him.”

“What impacted me the most was

the realization that their disabilities

do not stifle their inner sparkle

or limit their drive to succeed,”

says Carla Escobar, MSN student

in the FNP track. “I was excited

watching LaMaun work with his

eye gaze communication device,

and observing Jasmine walk with

determination on the treadmill with

assistance for seven minutes. All of

the children with whom I came into

contact made me appreciate the

unwavering determination of the

human spirit.”

Ms. Cormack concludes, “We look

forward to sharing these miracles with

future nurses.”

• Graduate students from the Colleges of Nursing, Dentistry, Medicine, and Health Professions have made over 1,000 visits to Pattison’s for clinical education purposes.

• Several MUSC employees serve on the Board of Directors of Pattison’s Academy and the PACE school board.

• Pattison’s Academy was awarded a pilot grant from the MUSC Center for Community Health Partnerships, Community Engaged Scholars, which investigated the effect of physical activity on two matching groups of children with multiple disabilities: children attending Pattison’s Academy and children not attending Pattison’s Academy.

• MUSC has provided IRB reviews for several of Pattison’s Academy’s research projects.

In the US, over 12.6 million

children have chronic disabilities.

Non-ambulatory children with

multiple disabilities present

with comorbidities, such as

blindness, seizures, and apnea,

which further impact the

child and family’s ability to be

physically active, participate in

life, and sustain a good quality

of life. Current health literature

clearly identifies the need for

developing effective models to

manage and improve the health

of this population, which in turn

will enhance their participation

in and quality of life.

Carrie Cormack, MSN, APRN, CPNP-BC is an instructor in the MUSC College of Nursing and director of nursing services for Pattison’s Academy.

>> SURPRISING s tat i s t i c


Deborah Williamson, DHA, MSN, RN is an associate professor and the associate dean for practice in the MUSC College of Nursing.

eNhaNCiNG hispaNiC heaLth

South Carolina has one of the

fastest growing Latino populations

in the nation. The increase in

the number of Spanish-speaking

residents has been recent enough that

the cultural norms and health beliefs

of the Spanish-speaking population

are not well understood by health care

providers.

Dr. Deborah Williamson was taking

care of Hispanic families in her nurse

midwifery practice and was impressed

with their difficult journeys and

resilience that seemed to come from

their close family structure, strong

work ethic, and a desire to create a

better world for their children.

She shares, “One young woman

I admitted in labor came in from

picking cucumbers in the fields.

As we spent the next five hours

together during her labor I listened

to the stories of her mother and

husband and their experiences in this

country. The young woman was a US

citizen and like her parents was an

agricultural worker. Her dream was

to finish high school and get a higher

paying job so her children could finish

high school and go on to college.”

The family, although US citizens,

described to Dr. Williamson the

frequent discrimination that

came with being perceived as

undocumented workers just because

of their ethnicity. She explained,

“Although they spoke English very

well, they spoke Spanish when

together as a family. They described

incidents of overhearing others

making ethnic slurs in English,

because they thought the family didn’t

speak English.”

Based on these interactions with

her Hispanic patients, Dr. Williamson

felt that it was important to build a

program that examined the impact of

culture, language and social bias on

health status. She received funding

from the Health Resources and

Services Administration (HRSA) and

The Duke Endowment to develop the

Hispanic Health Initiative (HHI) in

2005.

The HHI has grown to encompass

both professional education and

community outreach. Outreach

programs include Abrazos, a family

literacy program, and PASOs, a

program designed to improve the

health and well being of the Hispanic

community through education and

linking families to services.

The HHI Scholars professional

education program was designed to

build cultural competency, increase

sensitivity to community needs,

improve the ability to tailor care, and

provide the leadership skills necessary

for our graduates to address the social

determinants of health in order to

help eliminate health disparities.

Scholars are selected in their second

semester of the Accelerated BSN

program. Dr. Williamson reports, “We

have just accepted the 15th cohort of

Hispanic Health Initiative Scholars.”

Although grant funding ended in

2011, the scholars program has been

incorporated into the Population

Focused Health course in the BSN

program. Dr. Williamson explains,

“Because of our eight year experience

of building trust with the community

we are able to integrate students into

multiple clinical settings using a

service learning model.”


Remembering the past, striving for the futureBy Benny espinoza

This experience really brought back memories from my childhood. I come from a long line of migrant workers. As a child I remember being put into the back seat of our car, wrapped in a blanket, looking out of the rear window at darkness. I would awake some time later in the morning to cool air and the smell of strawberries. My parents and several aunts and uncles worked in “the berries”. I had many cousins with me in the fields. Some of the older ones would work while the younger ones would play. I remember my father teaching me how to pick and package the berries. I recall a time visiting my great grandmother in the apricot fields. She was a cook at a migrant camp in California. The migrant camp we visited during our clinical orientation reminded me of that experience. It has been about 30 years since I ran in the strawberry fields with my cousins. The agricultural work environment has not changed much from what I can remember, it seems that only I have changed. It is kind of interesting, considering where I have been, to have the opportunity to visit this community again, only under very different circumstances. I meditated on many possible career paths from accounting to computer science and, in the end, nursing was the best fit for me and my life’s goals. I love studying the health sciences; I enjoy meeting and helping people; and I believe that nursing gives me the most flexibility in deciding how I can help others. After graduation I hope to work in a hospital setting and thoroughly master the skills of a nurse on a challenging, forward thinking unit.

Challenges of life complicated by lifestyleBy anne Griffin patterson

What struck me most significantly during my time at the Rural Mission Migrant Head Start program was one little girl named Daisy. When the bus arrived in the morning, I enjoyed escorting the children from the bus to their appropriate classroom. When Daisy was handed to me, the Head Start employee commented: “Don’t put her down when you get to the classroom. Hand her to someone because she does not walk.” Carrying Daisy to her classroom, I noticed it felt different than carrying other children. I had to position her legs so that she could rest on my hip as we walked. She felt much more limp, and therefore heavier than the other children, and she appeared to be older. When Daisy and I got to her classroom, the teacher instructed that I put her in her seat on the floor. Daisy had a special supportive chair that helped her to sit up and I noticed she was significantly larger than the other children in the classroom. The teacher asked the other children to go and say “Good Morning” to Daisy, and the little girls wobbled over to interact with her. As I walked back to the bus to get the next child, I couldn’t help but wonder about the challenges Daisy and her family face, and will face in the coming years. I wondered how many extra hands it takes to care for a child like Daisy with this migrant lifestyle. On days when the children are not in a Head Start program, does her mother have to stay home from working to care for her, or can she be cared for with all of the other children? I wondered about her medical needs, and how she receives care. I also wondered if Daisy’s condition is one that could improve, given medical attention and extensive therapy. Unfortunately, I felt that the therapy required to improve her condition would be costly and require a long period of time. Due to her migrant lifestyle, I doubted that this would even be an option for Daisy’s family. Daisy is small enough now to carry on your hip, but she will not stay this way. I wondered how the family copes with having a handicapped child. My memory flashed back to a woman I saw in Zimbabwe pushing a wheelbarrow down the sidewalk carrying a disabled adult man sitting on pillows. I hope the arrangements will be better for Daisy. It will be a challenge to find a wheelchair, possibly through a donation. I doubt that any of the housing provided by farmers for migrant workers is handicap accessible. Frequently children work in the fields when they are of an age that they can contribute to supporting the family. Daisy will not be able to do this and caring for her will be costly. Finally, I wondered if she will ever talk. Migrant life through her eyes is a storyI am eager to hear.

Hispanic Health Initiative

Scholars and Accelerated

BSN students, Anne Griffin

Patterson (pictured second

from the left) and Benny

Espinoza (pictured far right)

share their experiences in

the HHI program.


HIGHER LEvELS OF...

A total of $4,295,427 in research grants were funded in fiscal year 2012-13. Among those funded were:

HIGHER lEvElS of DISCovERING

$380,286 - A Community Partnership Approach for Advancing Burden Measurement in Rare Genetic Conditions. Pamela Williams (PI)

$115,595 - A Peer Navigator Intervention for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury. Susan Newman (PI)

$90,728 - Personalized Bio-behavioral Weight Loss Intervention for African American Women. Gayenell Magwood (PI)

Dr. Teresa Kelechi began working

with patients with lower extrem-

ity vein problems in 1992 when she

started a leg and foot clinic while

working in general internal medicine

at MUSC. She noticed some of her pa-

tients who were experiencing venous

leg ulcers had very warm, reddish

inflamed skin in certain areas of the

leg, primarily between the calf muscle

and foot. They often complained

that they had a sensation of “heat” or

“fever” in their legs before they devel-

oped an ulcer. She wondered if there

was some way to predict the develop-

ment of these ulcers by measuring the

temperature of the skin and tracking it

over time. Dr. Kelechi began to study

some of the patients she saw in her

clinic as part of her PhD dissertation.

She discovered that when skin blood

flow was high and skin temperature

rose about two degrees above the

patient’s normal temperature in the

lower leg, they often developed an

ulcer.

Fast forward to 2013. Dr. Kelechi

is conducting a National Institutes

of Health, multi-site, randomized

clinical trial to determine if cooling

the skin with a special cryotherapy

gel, called Kool Cuff, might prevent

new ulcers from developing. In a

pilot study, she demonstrated that

cooling the inflamed skin affected by

vein disorders significantly reduced

blood flow and temperature after

a four week intense cryotherapy

intervention.

During the current clinical trial,

after an initial 30-day intense cooling

period, Dr. Kelechi is adding an

at-home, sequenced tapered cooling

method over a nine month period. If

ranked 21st in National institutes of health funding among

colleges of nursing, our faculty is conducting innovative

research that will shape health care delivery in the future.

Discovering

DeveLopiNG NeW praCtiCe staNDarDs


this treatment proves successful, a

new practice standard for prevention

can be established.

“We currently have three study

sites in South Carolina located in

Spartanburg, Loris, and Charleston

with 35 active participants and

we plan to enroll an additional 75

participants soon,” Dr. Kelechi says.

“We just completed the study at a

site in Georgia where we enrolled 90

participants.”

One of the study participants,

Davis L., is a 67-year-old married

retiree who lives in Inman, SC.

His quality of life began to slowly

deteriorate over the past five years

due to ongoing complications from

chronic venous disease. He has tried

to relieve his symptoms by using

heat packs and applying various

presciption creams but nothing has

worked. A few months ago his doctor

suggested that he might benefit from

participating in Dr. Kelechi’s study

and he agreed to give it a try.

After two months in the study

Davis reports he doesn’t have any

more blisters. “I still have a little

swelling around my toes and the top

of my foot, but it is not as bad. I have

slight numbness when I try to wiggle

my toes, but I am doing much better,”

he says.

Davis explains that he decided

to participate in the study because

he thought it would help him and

in the process it would help other

people. “I’ve always been one to try

something new.”

This positive news makes Margie

Prentice, MBA, program coordinator

for the clinical trial, pleased. “When

I hear that a subject’s condition

is improving because of a new

procedure, therapy or product we are

testing, I get a tremendous sense of

personal and job satisfaction to know

that I am part of something that has

made a positive difference in their

life and potentially for others,” she

says.

Early indications are that this new

method of treatment is showing

great promise. “It humbles me to be

able to conduct a study that has the

potential to change a treatment that

is well over 100 years old,” Dr. Kelechi

says. “There is so little available for

people who suffer with chronic

venous disease and leg ulcers. If this

new prevention approach works, it

could reduce the number of new and

recurring leg ulcers, decreasing costs

of care and human suffering.”

Teresa Kelechi, PhD, GCNS-BC, CWCN, FAAN is a professor and the interim associate dean for research in the MUSC College of Nursing.

“ To aid in the healing of another person, whether physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental, is a great reward and nurses have the opportunity to heal in each of those four categories.” – Lindsey Reeves, Accelerated BSN student

“ To me, RN doesn’t only mean Registered Nurse. The letter r stands for respectful, responsible, reliable, and responsive. The letter n stands for notable, necessary, nice, and nurturing. A good nurse combines the science of

medicine with the compassion of humanity. The nurse has to focus on more than just a diagnosis, but also see how environment, culture, lifestyle, and relationships specific to that individual intertwine. This holistic view defines the

nursing strategy that initiates an effective treatment process.” – Lindsey Reeves, Accelerated BSN student

Venous disease refers to all

conditions related to or caused

by veins that become diseased

or abnormal. An estimated 7

million adults in the US have a

venous disorder such as venous

insufficiency. These under-

recognized vascular problems

result in severe skin damage

and ulcerations of the lower

legs, produce pain, and restrict

mobility.

Chronic venous insufficiency is

more common among those

who are obese, pregnant, or

who have a family history of the

problem. Individuals who have

had trauma to the leg through

injury, surgery, or previous

blood clots are also more likely

to develop the condition.

According to available data, over $3 billion is spent annually on leg ulcer care.

W H At I SVenous disease


The Centers for Disease Control defines health literacy as the ability to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate decisions and follow instructions for

treatment. Many factors determine the health literacy level of health education materials or other health interventions: reading level, numeracy level, language barriers, cultural appropriateness,

format and style, sentence structure, use of illustrations, and interactiveness of intervention. These and many other factors can affect how easily health information is understood and followed.

Dr. Ida Spruill is not new to the

Lowcountry. In her role as nurse

manager and co-investigator for Proj-

ect SUGAR, a genetic research study

conducted in the Sea Islands from

1995-2003, Dr. Spruill was responsible

for enrolling 650 African-American

families with type 2 diabetes (T2DM)

into the study. While doing so, she

witnessed disparities that plague the

Lowcountry and the impact they have

on the community.

Research suggests that regimen

adherence for self-management of

diabetes is a serious problem and the

reason for poor adherence may be

rooted in low literacy, culture, and

lifestyle. Dr. Spruill explains, “Health

literacy not only measures a person’s

ability to read and comprehend, but

also the ability to act on medical

instructions and information. This

is particularly true for the African-

American community, which suffers

disparate impact from chronic illness.”

In April 2012, Dr. Spruill was

awarded a three year R01 grant from

the National Institutes of Health/Na-

tional Institute of Nursing Research

to explore the effects of beliefs and

culture on health literacy and ulti-

mately the management of diabetes in

African-Americans from four regions

in South Carolina – the Upper Pied-

mont/Blue Ridge, Pee Dee/Sand Hills,

Central Midlands/Lower Piedmont,

and Coastal Plains.

Phase one of the study is now com-

pleted. “We conducted 12 focus groups

in Allendale, Jasper, Dillon, Orange-

burg, Fairfield, Edgefield, Richland,

and Greenville counties,” reports Dr.

Spruill. “The focus groups were mostly

women with an average age of 54.”

Phase one participants were asked

a few questions about their under-

standing of diabetes and their answers

were not that surpising.

One question asked, what does

‘take on an empty stomach’ mean

to you? Responder:“Take meds on

an empty stomach make you sick.”

Another question asked, what do you

want to learn about diabetes? Reply:

“How much sugar I can eat without

overdoing it.”

“Although these comments may

seem simplistic, they reflect the at-

titudes, beliefs and lack of knowledge

throughout our study population,” Dr.

Spruill explains. “The perceived belief

of “no control” of an illness can be

identified as a barrier to care because

people, who do not believe that they

can control their diabetes, are less

likely to make attempts.”

The project’s significance rests on

its innovative approach to exploring

the important relationship between

health literacy, cultural beliefs and

diabetes self-management among Af-

rican-Americans. “Understanding this

relationship is pivotal to the design

of tailored interventions to improve

self-management and health status

in a population disproportionately af-

fected with the burden of diabetes,” Dr.

Spruill says.

The study is currently midway

through phase two. It consists of

survey development, cognitive inter-

views, and pre-testing of the survey.

During phase three, the survey will be

administered to two hundred Afri-

can-American participants with and

without T2DM residing in the target

population.

“Findings from this study will

guide the selection of messages and

strategies that will be subsequently

tested within targeted populations to

improve health outcomes. This study

can advance the science as it relates to

promoting health literacy and dis-

ease management among vulnerable

populations,” Dr. Spruill says.

ida Spruill conducts focus group.

College of Nursing staff youlanda Gibbs (far left) and Leticia Lee (far right) pose with focus group participants.

Ida Spruill, PhD, RN, LISW, FAAN is an associate professor in the MUSC College of Nursing.

>> WHAt IS HealtH literacy?

iMpaCtiNG heaLth LiteraCy aND Disease MaNaGeMeNt


Over a $1 miilion in education grants were funded in fiscal year 2012-13. Among those funded were:

$350,000 - Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship Program

$240,715 - Advanced Nursing Education

$150,000 - New Careers in Nursing: Mentoring Future Nurse Leaders

By Allyson Bird, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

Hector Chocobar noticed a change

in himself. He seemed sluggish,

yet his body felt like it was speeding up.

A musician and pastor, he felt drained

after a single song.

His friend, medical translator Judith

Rundbaken, noticed the change, too.

She saw Chocobar’s bloodshot eyes

and his agitation. Recognizing that

language stood as a barrier between

her friend and the medical care that

he needed, Rundbaken recommended

that he come down to the Medical

University of South Carolina for a study

funded by the verizon Foundation.

Program manager Brenda Brunner-

Jackson took his blood pressure

reading. “Well, it’s not such good news

for you,” she said. “But it’s good news

for us. You are the right person.”

Mr. Chocobar’s blood pressure

reading came in at 185 over 120,

considerably higher than the optimal

reading of 120 over 80 and crossing

into the realm of severe hypertension.

Mr. Chocobar, a 51-year-old father,

knew the problem. He had moved to

the MUsC College of Nursing has a distinguished 130 year

history preparing the finest professional nurses who care, cure,

and create new knowledge to improve the health of individuals,

families, and communities. Nursing graduates assume

leadership roles throughout the state and beyond. together

with our faculty, who are using innovative technologies, we are

actively shaping the health care of tomorrow.

HIGHER LEvELS OF...

LeadingKeepiNG CoNNeCtioNs to iMprove heaLth

hector Chocobar checks his blood pressure with a cuff provided through the verizon foundation’s grant to the MUSC College of Nursing.

HIGHER lEvElS of lEADING

The number of people accessing health apps on

their mobile devices is expected to

>> statistics

North Charleston seven years ago from

Argentina, where beef, bread and pasta

dominate the native diet.

“It was very hard for me, because

I’m not very disciplined,” Mr. Chocobar

said. “I love all types of meat.” His

bad eating habits, coupled with a

language barrier to health care, made

Mr. Chocobar a prime candidate

for help. The verizon Foundation

recently provided the MUSC College

of Nursing with a $46,000 grant for

the Smartphone Management of

Hypertension and Diabetes Program.

The program provides smartphone-

connected electronic medication trays

and blood pressure cuffs to patients,

primarily minorities, who live in rural

areas.

The project falls under the verizon

Foundation’s $15 million investment in

technology to improve health care in

communities where verizon employ-

ees work and live. South Carolina ranks

among the states with the highest in-

cidence of diabetes, hypertension and

stroke. Through the grant, residents

get trays that not only store their daily

medications but provide a series of

reminders for when to take them.

The alerts begin with a blinking

light. If the patient doesn’t take the

medication from its compartment

within a half-hour, a chime alert fol-

lows. After another half-hour, the

patient receives an automated call. On

the rare occasion that the call fails, Ms.

Brunner-Jackson and Ms. Rundbaken

receive automated calls and then per-

sonally contact the patient.

Both the trays and the blood pres-

sure cuffs transmit health data to a se-

cure computer server. Patients receive

personalized motivational messages,

based on their success with the pro-

gram. Their physicians receive weekly

progress reports.

Frank Treiber, PhD, endowed chair

and professor of nursing, pointed

out the widespread appeal, given that

nearly 94 percent of adults have cell

phones, and that almost half of those

cell phone users own smartphones

that could work with this technology.“

What we’re able to do is help patients

manage their health care more ef-

fectively,” Dr. Treiber said. “Clinicians

provide input on what patients should

be doing. Patients provide input on

how they would like to go about meet-

ing those goals and what motivates

them to become healthier. Summary

reports help clinicians to intervene

faster in treatment, rather than the

typical approach of waiting until the

next scheduled clinic visit, three or six

months later. We can get those patients

to the right dose faster.”

Dr. Treiber also noted that regular

monitoring prevents a patient from

gaining weight or not taking his medi-

cation and winding up in the emer-

gency room. The next step, he said, is

to ensure that patients continue with

their programs for years and not just

months.

These days Mr. Chocobar eats beef

sparingly, and he has cut bread, salt

and soft drinks from his diet alto-

gether. He monitors portion size and

noticed some new changes in himself.

He sings an entire set of music and

feels fine, even reaching for higher

notes than before. He had to buy a

new wardrobe full of slimmer pants,

and he looks at self-discipline much

differently now. “It’s not a sacrifice. It’s

just taking care of my own health,” Mr.

Chocobar said. “This program is excel-

lent, but if we do not take proper care,

there is no program that will help us.”

hector Chocobar holds MedMinder’s Maya pill dispenser. the medication dispenser contains 28 compartments for a week’s supply of medication and can accommodate many different types of pills.

“ While we know much about the human body and it’s workings, there is much we have yet to learn. There is art involved with science as teams work hard to

save and improve lives. I want to understand both so I can more effectively help those requiring care.” – Robert Egbert, Accelerated BSN Student

The Verizon Foundation’s focus is to reduce health disparities, improve access and quality, and enable better chronic disease outcomes through health information technology that educates and empowers patients to self-manage their health.

more tHan triple By 2016.

$488.7 BIllIoN/yEAR

The cost of chronic respiratory disease,

diabetes, and heart disease to the health care system.

from the


Frank Treiber, PhD, is a professor and endowed chair for Technology Applications Center for Healthful Lifestyles (TACHL).

Leslie Parker, PhD, APRN (NNP-BC) had been a nurse for 21

years and was working half-time as a neonatal nurse practi-

tioner in the neonatal intensive care department at Shands

Hospital and half-time as a clinical assistant professor

teaching in the neonatal nurse practitioner program at the

University of Florida (UF). She was very happy in her roles

when the UF College of Nursing opened the DNP program.

Since she was masters prepared, she felt she now needed a doctoral degree

in order to teach in this new program. At first, she thought she would pursue

a DNP degree, but wondered if that was the best degree for her to attain her

future goals. She decided that it wasn’t and instead chose to pursue a PhD at

MUSC’s online program.

Dr. Parker has achieved great success in her career since graduating from

the PhD program in 2010. She has received R15 and R01 funding from the

National Institutes of Health, in addition to publishing and presenting her

work. In July, she traveled to Charleston to share her formula for success with

students enrolled in the PhD program during residency week.

Mapping Success for PhD Students

Lifelines: Why did you choose MUSC? Dr. Parker: i started looking at programs in florida and found that i could go for free at a university other than where i was working. all of my expenses would be paid, but i would have to attend classes in person one day a week. i wondered what i could do with the time i would spend traveling in the car four or five hours every week? so, i started looking at online programs and i felt that MUsC was the best match for me.

What did you like best about our program?one of my favorite things was residency week. i would be trudging along, losing all of my momentum. When i came here for residency week, i was inspired to re-ally start doing my research, really start doing my classes. i was so excited when i was asked to come speak to the current students because i could get that excite-ment again. i loved being a phD student. i learned and changed so much. i grew from be-lieving that the nnp works in the hospital, that there is no other health care, only hospital work and only in the United states. i also believed that there was no other population, only neonates. as i progressed in the program it expanded my mind.

What advice do you give the current students on how to successfully progress through the program? focus on your goals – presentations, manuscripts, grants, mentors, and of course, graduation. Develop a timeline. this is imperative. Just making it through the day or making it to the end of the class can’t be your goal. you have to have a plan for making presentations, publish-ing and finding mentors. Maintain your research focus. i think people get very bogged down with what their research focus is going to be. When you enter school you may not have your dissertation question, but you know what subject you want to study. for instance, for me it was breastfeeding very low birth weight infants. it took me a while to iron out my specific question, but i based every single assignment on the broad topic of breastfeeding. i strongly suggest that because you are killing two birds with one stone. not only are you getting through the class, you also are building your literature and learning more about your subject. as you do that, you narrow it down and get that all-important disserta-tion question. How do you select your mentors?i found this incredibly difficult at first, but when i started thinking about what men-

tors really are it was much easier. i think a lot of people struggle with that. i learned that you have to be flexible. you are not likely to find a mentor that does exactly what you like to do. one of my mentors is in the Uf College of nursing. she deals with my population of premature infants, but i don’t really like what she’s doing. However, i learned so much from her. you don’t have to love the subject. you also need many mentors. Look outside of nursing at other disciplines and also select mentors outside your institution. select different mentors for different goals.

You and your PhD cohort developed the 6 C’s for successful online education that you presented at SNRS and the AACN Doctoral Conference. What are they? Cohort, collaboration, collateral, commu-nication, curriculum and commitment. Cohort is a group of students entering the program together. in the cohort there is intragroup cohesiveness, mentorship, and a strong sense of community. a strong sense of community is necessary to be a successful student. those in my cohort were some of my best friends dur-ing that time and we still keep in touch. Collaboration is very important. Clearly established guidelines and expectations are crucial – not only from faculty to student, but also student-to-student. We

Dr. Leslie parker shares

pearls of wisdom from her

experience as a College of

Nursing phD student.


found that if you were able to success-fully collaborate, the results were research funding, publications, and presentations. Communication is the lynchpin for completing the program. if you have a face-to-face program it is not as necessary because you are in the classroom every week. But when you are in an online pro-gram you have to be original. you have to utilize mechanisms for communication including email, cell phones, asynchro-nized discussion boards and web based video conferencing. Curriculum is key. for online educa-tion, the organization of the coursework and how it matches the mission of the institution is important. Curriculum needs to be dynamic and adaptive to new evidence and delivery systems and rigor is expected. Commitment is dedication to comple-tion of the program by both faculty and students. this is different from retention. retention is what the college tracks to see how many students stay in the program. Commitment is the student deciding how they are going to make it through the program and graduate with, of course, the support of faculty. Collateral is your internal or exter-nal sources of support. some you can change, some you can’t. What are your individual strengths and mechanisms? are your friends and family supporting

you? Do you have a place to work without distractions? Do you have a flexible work schedule? How are you going to finance your education?

What is your advice about dissertation?Make a timeline and stick to it. i say that over and over again and i cannot express how important that is. selecting a disser-tation topic often will make people freeze. they think they have to have a perfect topic and one that they want to do for the rest of their life. Let that go, it doesn’t have to be perfect. you can change your mind after you graduate. and, you don’t have to like it at the end. it’s oK to be imperfect. i also suggest students progress one step at a time – even one sentence at a time. i wrote my dissertation one sen-tence at a time. think about it in bite size pieces or it’s going to be overwhelming and you’re going to shut down and be unable to do it.

What about life after graduation? i did not expect my life to change as much as it did after graduation. it was immediate and it was dramatic. after graduation you enter a pool of phD prepared scholars and it levels the play-ing field. i don’t want to limit myself to just nursing research. yes, i want to do research that makes nurses lives better,

but i also want to do research that other disciplines find important and useful. so that equalizer was very important to me. i attended an interprofessional research conference a few months after graduating and we were all at the same level. it was tremendously invigorating and it opened so many doors. once i obtained my phD, doors just fell open for me and i walked through them. some of the things you have to think about after graduation is career negotia-tion and changes. What are your goals and desires? Do you want to just teach? Do you want to do research? talk with mentors about what things you can do to advance your career.

Why do you think you were able to attain NIH funding so quickly?one of the things i have found extremely important is collaboration. after i graduated i tried to get lots of experiences. i had the opportunity to continue to work with my mentor and with physicians on my unit on research projects. they weren’t necessarily exactly what i wanted to do, but they were research experiences and i benefitted from it. a lesson that i learned is, don’t be picky.

Leslie Parker presents her formula for success to Phd students.


There is a chasm in professional

nursing known as the readiness to

practice gap. It is the disparity between

newly licensed nurses at the onset of

their career and their ability to deliver

quality and safety in patient care.

Nancy Duffy, DNP, RN, CEN, CNE,

former director of the undergraduate

program explains, “The literature

shows that a majority of nursing

faculty believe they have educated a

nurse who is ready to practice upon

graduation. Inversely, the majority

of hospital and health system nurse

executives disagree.”

A 2009 National League for Nursing

survey revealed that clinical faculty

reported that 70 percent of their

supervision time was spent evaluating

clinical skills, yet the novice nurse is

not seen as fully prepared to provide

care.

Teresa Atz, MSN, RN, assistant

professor, adds, “The gap is alarming

given the acuity, complexity and

short stays of hospitalized patients.

The third leading cause of death is

preventable medical errors. Enrollment

in Medicaid is growing and the

number of Medicare eligible seniors is

expected to double by 2030. This rise

in the number of individuals entering

the health care system increases the

potential for errors and negative health

outcomes.”

Dr. Duffy and Ms. Atz, with expertise

from Healthcare Simulation of South

Carolina, have been working to

address the readiness to practice gap.

Dr. Duffy reports, “We have developed

system-based simulations that address

care of the patient with imbedded

procedural and non-technical skills.

So far we have completed respiratory,

cardiac, endocrine and neurologic

modules with pediatric cases in

development.”

Ms. Atz explains, “With these

simulations, the student has the

opportunity to care for a veteran

with traumatic brain injury, an adult

with diabetes insipidus following

a craniotomy, and a hospitalized

child with Munchausen’s by Proxy.

The procedural skills range from

calculating and administering

intravenous medications to

responding to a situation where the

patient has pulled out a chest tube.”

These simulation modules, which

are available for purchase, are a bridge

to the readiness to practice gap. They

emphasize the nurse as a problem

solver, capable of functioning in a

complex environment and avoid the

trap of nurse as a taskmaster of purely

clinical procedures. “The College

of Nursing wants to assure that the

Accelerated BSN graduates are able to

provide safe and quality care wherever

they practice,” Dr. Duffy says.

Nancy Duffy, DNP, RN, CEN, CNE is the MUSC College of Nursing’s former undergraduate program director. She recently moved to NC to start a nursing program at Campbell University.

Teresa Atz, MSN, RN is an assistant professor in the MUSC College of Nursing.

Simulation modules are available for purchase in the laerdal SimStore.offering quality educational content and materials for users of all levels and backgrounds. also provides educators with an easy-to-use, efficient tool for delivering simulation-based curricula.

in simstore you’ll find resources for virtually every step in the simulation experience, from full curricula and stand-alone scenarios to building blocks like trends, handlers, and multimedia.

to order, visit SimStore on the web at www.laerdal.com/us/SimCenter

BriDGiNG the Gap With siMULatioNs

Simulation activities are helping bridge the practice gap.


April Dove graduated from

Clemson University with a double

major in biology and psychology and

plans to follow the path of her parents,

a physician’s assistant and a nurse.

But first, she wanted to work a few

odd jobs.

“If you’ve never worked a retail

job making $6.95 an hour, you don’t

understand where those patients are

coming from,” Ms. Dove said. “I’ve

worked in retail. I’ve worked in fast-

food restaurants. I understand high

cholesterol and bad eating habits,

living penny to penny.”

She also worked one-on-one with

three children through the Carolina

Autism Project and finally wound up

at MUSC as a patient care technician

in neurosurgery. Ms. Dove cared for

one woman during the patient’s final

four months, and that experience

defined Ms. Dove’s own life. “I realized

this is where I need to be,” Ms. Dove

said. She wanted to become a nurse.

Ms. Dove felt mentally prepared for

MUSC’s intensive 16-month nursing

program but, financially, she lacked

what she needed to get started. The

nurses on her floor told her to talk

to Mardi Long, coordinator of the

Accelerated BSN program and alumni

services at the College of Nursing.

“I told Mardi, ‘I want to go to

nursing school, but I don’t have the

money to go,’” Ms. Dove said. “Mardi

said, ‘You’d be perfect.’ She arranged

for me to receive a scholarship, and

that was the end of that.”

Ms. Long called Ms. Dove “a great

ambassador for nursing,” whose

community service and leadership

made her the perfect scholarship

candidate. Ms. Dove received financial

aid from the Lettie Pate Whitehead

Foundation, a Georgia-based

nonprofit corporation that provides

scholarships to select female students

in the Southeast. The scholarships

helped about 10,000 students last

year alone, including 43 MUSC

nursing students, according to Lettie

Pate Whitehead Foundation grants

program director, Elizabeth Smith.

“Because it is need-based, what we

want to do is provide students with an

opportunity,” Ms. Smith said. “We want

to help alleviate some of their needs.”

Ms. Dove graduated from the

College of Nursing on May 17 with

several job offers. “If I didn’t get the

scholarship,” she said, “I don’t think I

would have finished nursing school.”

April dove teaches students about portion control in the Junior doctors of health program at

Meeting Street Academy.

HIGHER LEvELS OF...

Growing

MaKiNG Careers possiBLe throUGh sChoLarshipsBy Allyson Bird, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

over the past decade, the College of Nursing has seen

tremendous growth in all of its nursing programs. the

accelerated BsN program has more than doubled its enrollment;

the phD program has grown to one of the largest in the country;

and the DNp program has flourished.

in 2013, Us News and World report recognized our online

graduate program as one of the best in the country. But we are

not resting on our laurels. rather, the College’s strategic plan

includes expectations for future growth.

Not only have we increased the number, but we also have

successfully attracted the most stellar students to our programs.

Below we introduce you to three of those students.


As a little girl, Cameo Green

received a “play nursing” bag

from her parents. The bag contained

a toy thermometer, blood pressure

cuff, and otoscope. She used them to

examine her closest family members

and friends. As fate would have it, this

simple child’s toy became a turning

point in her life as it planted the seed

that would blossom into a successful

nursing career.

Presently, Ms. Green works as an as-

sistant nurse manager at a hospital in

Columbia, SC. She graduated as a First

Honor Graduate with a Master of Sci-

ence in Nursing degree in May 2012

and is current-

ly enrolled in

the Doctor of

Nursing Prac-

tice Family

Nurse Practi-

tioner (DNP-

FNP) program.

She explains,

“My desire to

help others

drove my deci-

sion to pursue the DNP-FNP degree.

It will not only enable me to assess

others, but actually to treat them. I am

looking forward to having prescriptive

authority in South Carolina.”

A dynamic student, Ms. Green has

received many accolades. She was

chosen to participate in the 2013-2014

MUSC’s Presidential Scholars program,

the university’s premiere interprofes-

sional program for students. She also

was selected for MUSC’s Student Lead-

ership Society that recognizes stu-

dents who have made notable contri-

butions to the university through their

character, service and commitment

to enhancing the university environ-

ment. Ms. Green states, “It is an honor,

privilege, and reward to be selected as

a member of the Student Leadership

Society. To be selected from such an

esteemed group of my peers has been

an invaluable experience and made

me feel special. I am appreciative that

all my hard-work and perseverance

throughout my nursing education and

career has been recognized.”

For her academic pursuits, Ms.

Green has received funding through

the Herman G. Green Memorial Schol-

arship awarded by the South Carolina

Professional Association for Access

and Equity. In June 2013, she received

the Advanced Nursing Education

Expansion grant. Students who receive

this funding are committed to work-

ing in primary care in South Carolina

upon graduation and are selected

based on GPA, leadership roles, schol-

arly activities, and an essay explaining

their commitment to primary care.

Ms. Green reports, “Upon graduation,

I will be practicing in a rural, primary

care clinic for approximately one to

two years. After that, I plan to open my

own practice in the Hopkins-Eastover,

SC community. I also plan to launch

statewide initiatives to improve the

overall health of our state. I believe

we must emphasize the importance

of primary care measures within our

communities in an effort to lessen the

need for tertiary care measures.”

Ms. Green promises to maintain a

life-long partnership with the MUSC

College of Nursing. “My masters pro-

gram was one of the best experiences

of my life. The College of Nursing

equips students with the tools neces-

sary to not only pass the licensure

board, but to be successful in the clini-

cal world,” she says.

Michelle Mollica was busy

teaching full time in the RN to

BSN program at D’Youville College

in Buffalo, NY and raising her two

small children. But, she also wanted

to further her education and obtain a

PhD degree. She explains, “I’ve been

interested in research, so a PhD was

a natural fit for me. As an oncology

nurse, I wanted to make my patient’s

lives better, but found myself asking

why things

worked the

way they did,

and how I

might be able

to improve

that process.

Research gives

me the ability

to delve into

a topic and

become an expert, and really improve

the lives of cancer survivors.”

When selecting a PhD program,

she knew that attending classes in a

traditional, campus-based program

was not going to fit into her current

lifestyle. Therefore, she evaluated the

online programs and selected MUSC’s

PhD in Nursing program. “I origi-

nally chose MUSC because the online

program offers me the ability to work

in a flexible format. But once I started

the program, I realized that I feel more

connected than I probably would

have in an on-campus program. The

mentorship at MUSC is really top-

notch. The faculty have advocated and

supported me in ways that I could not

have imagined.”

A member of the 2011 PhD co-

hort, Ms. Mollica is an accomplished

student. Recently she received the

American Cancer Society Doctoral

Degree Scholarship in Cancer Nursing

that is awarded to graduate students

pursuing doctoral study in the field of

cancer nursing research, and prepar-

ing for careers as nurse scientists. An

oncology nurse for more than ten

years, Ms. Mollica’s dissertation topic is

peer navigation in African-American

breast cancer survivors. She explains,

“An African-American breast can-

cer survivor is paired with another

African-American woman complet-

ing breast cancer treatment with the

goal of increasing follow-up care and

quality of life outcomes.” Ms. Mollica’s

future goals when she completes her

degree are to continue her work in

cancer survivorship, ideally in an aca-

demic university that is aligned with a

cancer center.

Cameo Green with dr. Sabra Slaughter, MUSC chief of staff

Michelle Mollica

FULLFiLLiNG a ChiLDhooD DreaM

FosteriNG DoCtoraL eDUCatioN



barter scholarshipThree nursing students, Brian Daigle

(ACC BSN) Elizabeth Kreuze (DNP)

and Taylor Nanney (DNP), were

awarded Mr. and Mrs. John W. Barter,

III Scholarships. Mr. and Mrs. Barter

of Kiawah Island, SC, established the

scholarship fund to recruit students

who are underrepresented in the field

of nursing.

A former Latin and science

teacher at Porter-Gaud School in

Charleston, Mr. Daigle began his

transition into nursing in fall 2013.

A graduate of Bowdoin College and

Boston University, he is proficient in

Italian and Latin, and is now tackling

Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

He is a world-traveler and plays the

classical violin and American fiddle.

Ms. Kreuze (BSN ’13) entered

the DNP program in fall 2013. As a

student, she has presented findings

of a research project to the nursing

staff at the veteran’s Affairs Medical

Center about safe patient handling

during transfers.

Mr. Nanney completed his BSN

at Bob Jones University in May

2013 and began the DNP program

fall 2013. A medical mission trip to

Panama in 2011 was a particularly

profound experience for him and he

hopes to play a more prominent role

in the care of people in third world

countries.

elizabeth Mills scholarshipSarah Harlan, ACC BSN student,

was awarded the Elizabeth Mills

Scholarship that honors the former

dean who served from 1965 to

1969. Under her leadership the

first students graduated with

baccalaureate degrees from the

College of Nursing.

As an undergraduate, Ms. Harlan

served as philanthropy chair of her

sorority and organized six major

events for the Ronald McDonald

Charities and the Safe Home in

Laurens County. At home in Florence,

SC, she volunteered in the Neonatal

Intensive Care Unit at McLeod

Regional Medical Center and the Pee

Dee Coalition, an organization which

advocates for women and children

who are victims of abuse, assault

and battery. A second generation

nurse, Ms. Harlan’s mother is a

2002 graduate of the College’s MSN

program.

Maude callen scholarshipMary Elizabeth Jordan Bird, DNP

student, was awarded the Maude

Callen Scholarship. “Miss Maude”

was a nurse midwife who committed

herself to women and families in

Berkeley County, SC. Completing the

family nurse practitioner specialty

track, Ms. Bird hopes to practice in

a rural part of the state, be a part of

the community and promote health

across the lifespan.

HIGHER LEvELS of GIvING through Scholarshipsapproximately 84 percent of College of Nursing students receive some type of financial aid.

Beacause of donations from generous donors, the College was able to award 135 scholarships

to undergraduate and graduate students. of these, $174,884 were from private donations of

individuals to endowed scholarship funds.

scholarships help students manage their debt. since most of the students enrolled in the

accelerated Bachelor of science in Nursing (aCC BsN) degree program have previously

earned a degree in another area, and the nurses returning to earn a Master of science in

Nursing (MsN), Doctor of Nursing practice (DNp), or phD in Nursing have also attended

school, many have accumulated student debt. the average pre-admission debt of College of

Nursing students in 2012-2013 was $21,336.

please consider creating a scholarship fund to ensure the future generation of nurses.

ruth chamberlain phd alumni awardPatricia Davern Soderlund, PhD

student, received the Ruth

Chamberlain PhD Alumni Award. Ms.

Soderlund graduated from the MSN

program in the spring of 2005 as a

psychiatric nurse practitioner. She is

currently the lead nursing instructor

at Bethesda University in Anaheim, CA.

Marianne t. chitty scholarshipAlana Guziewicz, Phyllis Raynor,

and Caroline Yurchak were awarded

Marianne T. Chitty Scholarships. Mr.

Charles Chitty and Dr. Kay Chitty

endowed the Marianne T. Chitty

Nursing Scholarship fund in honor of

Mr. Chitty’s mother. “Kay and I, and

our children, loved and respected her

very much. We hope and believe that

she would be pleased and proud to

be remembered by us through this

scholarship,” Mr. Chitty remarked.

Ms. Guziewicz is an ACC BSN

student and has a previous degree

from the College of Charleston

(CofC). She has experience as a

research intern for the Department of

Neuroscience at CofC and MUSC.

Ms. Raynor is enrolled in the PhD

program. She has an interest in public

health nursing and is concurrently

earning certification as a psychiatric-

mental health nurse practitioner at

vanderbilt University.

Ms. Yurchak (BSN ‘12), a summa

cum laude graduate of the ACC

BSN program, enrolled in the DNP

pediatric nurse practitioner specialty

track this fall and is currently working

for Pediatric Services of America in

Colorado Springs, CO.

dorothy Johnson crews scholarship

Five students were awarded Dorothy

Johnson Crews Scholarships. Mrs.

Crews had a 43-year nursing career

while raising four children. Her

husband, Dr. Charles Crews, created

this endowed scholarship to honor

his wife who had been “his right arm

all through life.”

This year’s student recipients are

Sadie Burke (ACC BSN), Michelle

Munn (PhD), Kim Pickett (PhD),

Christina Sweatman (DNP), and

Margaret Conway-Orgel (DNP).

irene dixon scholarshipElizabeth Brockinton, MSN student,

was awarded the Irene Dixon

Scholarship. Ms. Brockinton has over

15 years of nursing experience and

is currently working at Clarendon

Healthcare Systems in Manning, SC.

helene fuld trust scholarshipLindsey Wilzbach, ACC BSN

student, was awarded the Helene

Fuld Health Trust Scholarship. Ms.

Wilzbach, a stellar student, is her class

representative to the Student Nurses

Association. Prior to her enrollment

in the College of Nursing, she

completed a Bachelor of Science in

psychology from Clemson University

and worked for Charleston Eye Care

as an ophthalmic assistant and

volunteered for the Association for

the Blind and visually Impaired.

graduate incentive scholarshipGraduate students, Simone Chinnis

(DNP) and Toshua Kennedy (PhD),

have been selected to receive a

Graduate Incentive Scholarship

through the MUSC Office of Diversity.

These scholarships are offered

to students who are historically

underrepresented in the health

professions. Recipients must also

commit to working in South Carolina

for one year following completion of

their degree.

ted and Joan halkyard scholarshipACC BSN students, Kevin McCarthy

and Lauren St. Armand, were

awarded Ted and Joan Halkyard

Scholarships. Mrs. Halkyard, a retired

nurse, stated, “It is indeed a privilege

to know that over the years we have

in some small way provided help

at critical junctures in the lives of

committed nursing students.”

Mr. McCarthy is a graduate of

Furman University where he worked

with faculty on a presentation for the

American College of Sports Medicine

Annual Meeting. At MUSC, Mr.

McCarthy has been a student leader,

participating in service activities

and the Simulated Interprofessional

Rounding Experience.

Ms. St. Armand is a Dean’s List

student who attended the College

of Charleston and is an emergency

medical technician. At CofC, she

served as an emergency medical

services volunteer and a peer

facilitator for students, assisting them

with academic and career planning,

and encouraging a healthy and

balanced lifestyle.

virginia harper scholarshipTiffany Jamerson, ACC BSN student,

was awarded the virginia L. Harper

Scholarship. Mrs. Harper and her

husband, Stiles, were generous

donors to MUSC throughout their

lives. The campus student center

is named in their honor. This

scholarship was created because their

son received excellent nursing care

while a patient at MUSC.

Ms. Jamerson is a former high

school Spanish teacher and Ameri-

Corps member. While serving with

Ameri-Corps, she was assigned to

the Center for New North Carolinians

and participated in trainings in

diversity, immigration, ESOL and

disaster preparedness. She also

provided services in schools and

medical facilities for immigrants and

refugees.



elizabeth ann Jones scholarshipDNP student, Christina Sweatman,

received the Elizabeth Ann Jones

Scholarship. Ms. Sweatman

graduated summa cum laude from

the ACC BSN program in May 2013

as salutatorian and began working

at Roper-St. Francis in the medical-

surgical unit. She also volunteers at

the Palmetto House in Summerville.

betty kelchner scholarship Kimbi Marenakos, ACC BSN student,

was awarded the Betty Kelchner

Scholarship. Mrs. Kelchner is a

College of Nursing “Golden Grad,”

who earned her degree in 1952.

A licensed professional counselor,

Ms. Marenakos has a bachelor’s

degree from CofC and a master’s in

counseling from Webster University.

She has a broad range of experiences

but has devoted her career to serving

individuals, couples, and families.

betty M. b. kinard scholarshipMichelle Mejia, DNP student, was

awarded the Betty M. B. Kinard

Scholarship. When Dr. and Mrs.

Kinard created this scholarship, Mrs.

Kinard expressed that she would

like this award to be presented to a

“student who would be a powerful

advocate for patients.”

Ms. Mejia (BSN ‘13) also was

selected for the prestigious Robert

Wood Johnson New Careers in

Nursing Scholars Program and the

Hispanic Health Initiative Scholars

when she was an undergraduate

student.

Marianna stuart Mason scholarshipEmily Jackson, DNP student, was

awarded the Marianna Stuart Mason

Scholarship. The Mason’s created

this award to honor nurses who were

empathetic, caring, and dedicated to

improving pediatric patients’ health.

Ms. Jackson is enrolled in the

pediatric nurse practitioner track. She

speaks Spanish and hopes to work

with the Hispanic community after

completing her degree. Her personal

goal is to have a direct impact on the

care of patients from other cultures.

cecilia o. peng scholarshipThe Cecilia O. Peng Scholarship

was awarded to Katie Lichty, DNP

student. This scholarship was created

to financially assist a nurse who has

an operating room background and

is pursuing an advanced degree in

nursing.

Ms. Lichty is the main operating

room nurse at East Cooper Medical

Center in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Prior to

that she was a main operating room

nurse at Palmetto Richland Hospital

in Columbia, SC and a clinical

coordinator at the Medical University

Hospital.

robert Wood Johnson new careers in nursing recipientsSix ACC BSN degree students

have been selected for the Robert

Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)

New Careers in Nursing (NCIN)

Scholarship. Recipients are Baylie

Coldsmith, Rena Hasegawa,

Hannah McClary, Tamesha

McKnight, Ruvy Ann Sabado, and

Robert Wolfrom.

The RWJF NCIN scholarship

program is a national program of

RWJF and the American Association

of Colleges of Nursing. The

prestigious program is designed to

help alleviate the national nursing

shortage, increase the diversity

of nursing professionals, expand

capacity in baccalaureate and

graduate nursing programs, and

enhance the pipeline of potential

nurse faculty.

nina smith scholarshipStudents Fairuz Lutz (PhD) and

Kyra Wilson (BSN) are recipients of

Nina Allsbrook Smith Scholarships.

Mrs. Smith created this scholarship

to alleviate the financial burden

associated with education,

particularly for support of divorced,

widowed, or single women

supporting a minor child or children.

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia,

Ms. Lutz is committed to research

aimed to improve the lives of

vulnerable populations, specifically

Hispanic women who are victims of

domestic abuse.

Ms. Wilson, current president of

the College of Nursing Multicultural

Student Nurses Association, has

demonstrated extraordinary

leadership and participated in student

recruitment activities and health

fairs. Ms. Wilson was selected for

the vALOR Program at the Ralph

Johnson veteran Affairs Medical

Center and is a drilling member of

the US Army Reserves.

steven stewart scholarshipThe recipients of Mr. and Mrs. Steven

Stewart Scholarships are Heidi

Alterson, DNP student, and Crystal

Graham, PhD student. The Stewarts

wanted to support nurses who will be

leaders in nursing education,

HIGHER LEvELS of GIvING through

Scholarhips

research, and practice and are

working toward their doctoral degree.

Prior to pursing her DNP, Ms.

Alterson began her nursing career

as a certified nursing aid, became

an LPN, then received an associate

degree, and earned her BSN. Her goal

is to provide the best possible care

to her patients through advanced

practice nursing.

Earning an associate degree in

nursing, then a BSN, Ms. Graham

completed her MSN at MUSC in

2011. She is currently teaching in the

nursing program at Francis Marion

University in Florence, SC and is the

first person in her family to pursue

collegiate education.

elizabeth stringfellow scholarship

Sheila Mason, Steven Schultz,

and Lori Vick have been awarded

Elizabeth Stringfellow Scholarships.

Mrs. Stringfellow established this

scholarship fund in honor of her

aunt, Mrs. Marguerite Andell. Mrs.

Andell was a College of Nursing

graduate (1913), and later became a

faculty member. Mrs. Andell began

the area’s first midwifery clinic and

educated countless nurses. Mrs.

Stringfellow shared that “my aunt was

always there for anyone who needed

her help—it is my way of giving back

for her kindness.”

Ms. Mason is a DNP student

enrolled in the pediatric nurse

practitioner track. During 2011

and 2012, she spent three weeks

serving the population of Pemba

and Northern Mozambique. In 2011,

she was invited to join round table

meetings at the Ghanaian Embassy

regarding health issues in northeast

Ghana. She hopes to play a vital role

as a leader in global health.

Mr. Schultz, ACC BSN student, is

a chiropractor and yoga instructor.

He volunteers his knowledge and

provides lectures to various

classes and labs in the nursing

undergraduate curriculum.

Ms. vick, PhD student, lives in Iowa

where she teaches nursing at a local

community college. Actively involved

in her students’ learning, she also

is dedicated to their character

development and community

involvement.

J. William thurmond scholarshipWayne Wilkins, DNP student, is

the recipient of the Dr. J. William

Thurmond Scholarship. The late

Senator Strom Thurmond initiated

this scholarship in honor of his

brother.

Mr. Wilkins began the DNP

program fall 2013 and is committed

to working with patients to achieve a

healthier lifestyle. The role of a family

nurse practitioner is a departure for

Mr. Wilkins, who originally worked in

ICU environments.

lettie pate WhiteheadThe Lettie Pate Whitehead

Foundation is a charity dedicated

to the support of women in nine

southeastern states. The foundation

provides scholarship grants to

deserving female nursing students.

The following students were

selected for a Lettie Pate Whitehead

Scholarship for the fall 2013 semester:

Heidi Atkinson, Meghan Behlmer,

Deborah Camack, Lisa Carraher,

Ellen Cary, Hannah French,

Brittany Gaskins, Candace Jaruzel,

Felicia Jenkins, Valerie Kneece,

Carley Lovell, Erin May, Madison

McMackin, Amy Osguthorpe,

Michelle Orr, Shanice Strobhart, and

Anna Williford.

Jean p. Wilson scholarshipLindsey Felkl, DNP student, received

the Jean P. Wilson Scholarship. Ms.

Felkl, a 2012 summa cum laude

graduate of the ACC BSN program,

also previously received a degree in

nutrition from Clemson University.

Ms. Felkl hopes that by becoming

a family nurse practitioner she will

be able to work together with other

health care professionals and improve

the quality of care provided in South

Carolina.

inaugural thomas J. Wiscarz scholarship Jacob Fountain, ACC BSN student,

is the first recipient of the Thomas

J. Wiscarz Scholarship. Dean Gail

Wiscarz Stuart established this

scholarship in honor of her brother,

Thomas J. Wiscarz. Mr. Wiscarz

was a great role model for someone

committed to living life, giving to

others and cultivating friendships.

Passionate for sports, he was the

timekeeper for the Chicago Bulls

during their decade of greatness.

Sadly, colon cancer took his life in

2005. While in treatment he came

in constant contact with nurses,

and especially bonded with the

male nurses who cared for him.

This scholarship is a tribute to the

generosity of friends and family and

allows him to “give back to others” for

years to come.

Mr. Fountain earned his bachelor’s

and master’s degree from The Citadel.

He is a member of the South Carolina

National Guard, and served in

Afghanistan. He was recognized with

the Meritorious Service Medal for his

outstanding commitment to mission

and superb work ethic, sustaining a

high level of job performance, and

exemplary communication skills

and situational awareness. A role

model for his peers, he has been

active in the Men in Nursing group,

and initiated an organization to

provide support to veterans’ and their

spouses in the College of Nursing.


The Hilton Head Island Sunset Rotary Club supports various activities of local

non-profit organizations, donating all proceeds each year to charity. In 2013, the

club donated over $30,000 to local charities and scholarships, and delivered 100

water filters to two small villages in the jungles of Peru.

The club is also active in the Gift of Life program and Polio eradication. The 19th

Hole project, located behind the 18th green of Harbour Town Golf Links during the

RBC Heritage presented by Boeing each April (a PGA Tour golf event), is the club’s

primary fund-raiser.

On June 10, the club presented a scholarship to ACC BSN student, Stephanie

Helwig. “I am so grateful to the Sunset Rotary Club for their support of my pursuit of nursing and their generous

scholarship to aid me in this pursuit,” Ms. Helwig says. “The Rotary Club abides by a motto of ‘service over self,’ and I feel

it’s a perfect motto as well for those who are passionate about nursing. I hope to pay forward to my patients the service

and support that has been bestowed upon me.”

sUNset rotary CLUB aWarDs sChoLarship

My interest in health care began when I was a child. As the youngest, I was cared for by all five of my older family members. Perhaps in the universe’s manner of paying things forward, it has always seemed second-nature to me to care for the well-being of others in the same way that my siblings and parents cared for me. In high school in Knoxville, TN, I was a member of the National Honor Society, the Honor Committee, the Spanish Club, and I served as an ambassador for prospective students. Extracurricularly, I spent most of my time in the studio arts center and playing tennis. I won several digital media awards, as well as the women’s state championship title as a junior and senior. I graduated summa cum laude and enthusiastically accepted entrance to the University of Chicago for my undergraduate coursework. It was during my time in college that I began to carve my real path into health care. I began volunteering at the Comer Children’s Hospital and worked part-time as a research assistant for the University of Chicago Hospital system. It was in this job and my coursework for my

biology degree that I discovered my interest in health care research. When I graduated, I began looking at career opportunities. I recognized that I wasn’t solely interested in providing care to patients, but that I was also interested in investigating ways to improve health care. I moved to Charleston, SC, and accepted a position at the Hollings Cancer Center as a leukemia research coordinator. I learned the ropes of clinical trials and treatment and the clinical care of leukemia patients from around the state and helped in the process of obtaining the National Cancer Institute designation for the cancer center. I went on to coordinate clinical trials for stroke patients at MUSC, and this was where I really found my niche in nursing. I began the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in January, and I really couldn’t be more pleased and excited for my future in nursing. As president of the Honor Council at MUSC, I strive to always represent the values of MUSC and to foster the development of other future nurses to do the same. I plan to apply immediately following graduation for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program as I would like to begin practice in the field of gerontology. I am also interested in obtaining my PhD so that I can practice in a research-related manner as part of my career in nursing and a lifetime of learning and improvement.

HIGHER LEvELS of GIvING through

Scholarhips


Mr. and Mrs. David Ritter, of St. Petersburg, Florida and Gilbert, South Carolina, endowed

the Elsie Morgan Nursing Scholarship in honor of Mr. Ritter’s mother, a 1939 graduate of

the MUSC College of Nursing.

Following her graduation, Elsie Morgan enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as a surgical

nurse. She attained the rank of Captain and traveled extensively throughout the US setting

up operating rooms at various military installations. She returned to South Carolina in

1951 and began working at the veterans Administration (vA) Hospital in Columbia, SC. Her

career as a surgical nurse at the vA spanned 25 years where she was considered one of

the most professional and caring nurses on staff. Mr. Ritter states, “Elsie Morgan’s life and

career were defined by sacrifice and service to her profession. This scholarship represents

her legacy and the opportunity for these students to perpetuate these attributes.”

The following is a thank you letter from Kara Edmond. Ms. Edmond received

the Elsie Morgan Scholarship while completing

her ACC BSN degree.

Mr. and Mrs. Ritter:

My name is Kara C. Edmond, and I am the 2013 recipient of your Elsie Morgan Endowed Nursing Scholarship. On behalf

of myself, my family and friends, I’d like to take the time to extend my sincerest gratitude for this thoughtful and life-

changing award. As a student and a future registered nurse, your generosity has not only contributed to the enrichment of

my career, but has allowed me to become better prepared to provide care to our global population. This award showcases

more than a commitment to the MUSC College of Nursing, but to all those that we as nurses will serve.

I am a 22-year old African American female who graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in May 2012.

I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in chemistry, honors in chemistry, and minors in biology and Spanish.

My college career was heavily focused on a transition into medical school after graduation. However, after attending

a nursing summer program during my junior year of college, I fell in love with the role of the nurse. I enjoyed the direct

patient contact, the critical thinking skills the nurse was required to possess, and the large variety of career advancement

possibilities available to nursing professionals. I am honored to dedicate my time, intellect and life endeavors to the art and

science that is nursing.

Upon graduation in December 2013, I desire to become an intensive care nurse, using the technical skills and knowledge

I’ve acquired during the BSN program to help save the lives of critically ill patients. Ultimately, I hope to become a doctoral-

prepared certified registered nurse anesthetist, providing care in rural communities where anesthesiologists are less likely

to practice. I highly value the autonomy and leadership characteristics of the registered nurse, and I am committed to

enriching the provision of global health care through the advancement of the nursing profession.

Your scholarship, in particular, has allowed me to focus solely on exceling in this demanding and rigorous program.

Through the relief of financial burden that your generous award has provided, I hope to continue to achieve the highest

possible level of social and academic scholarship, and to graduate a competent new nurse ready to enrich my profession.

I thank you and your family once more for the difference your benevolence has made in my life and my nursing

education. I am honored to have received such a wonderful gift from your family. Your mother was an astounding

contributor to nursing. I hope to continue her legacy of excellence and dedication as a recipient of this magnificent award.

Thank you again!

Most Sincerely,

Kara C. Edmond

Mr. and Mrs. david ritter

Kara edmond

thaNK yoU Notes


Our College of Nursing relies

on the generosity of the

many individuals, foundations and

organizations that provide us with

philanthropic support. We are pleased

to share with you the list of donors

from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. We

hope that next year we may be able to

add your name to the list.

[ $25,000 + ]Alpha-1 Foundation, Inc.

Mr. David R. Clare

The Duke Endowment

Mr. & Mrs. Carl Falk, Jr.

Falk-Griffin Foundation

Helene Fuld Health Trust

Hill-Rom Company, Inc.

Estate of Florence Illing

Izant Family Foundation

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Trident United Way

verizon Foundation

Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc.

[ $10,000 - $24,999 ]AT&T, Inc.

Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence

Mr. & Mrs. Donald Mabe

Mr. & Mrs. Eric Peress

[ $1,000 - $9,999 ]Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Aid to Education

Mr. Michael Bristow

Dr. Laurine Charles

Mr. Charles Chitty & Dr. Kay Chitty

Dr. David Garr & Dr. Deborah

Williamson

Knights of Columbus Council 704

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Lanier

Dr. Stephen McLeod-Bryant

Ms. Gale Messerman

The O’Brien Family Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Michael Pace

Mrs. Susan Payne

Schwab Charitable Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Steinberg

Dr. Gail Stuart

Dr. & Mrs. Morgan Stuart

Sunset Rotary Club of Hilton Head

[ $500 - $999 ]Dr. Elaine Amella

Dr. Elizabeth Bear

Mr. & Mrs. Philip Peters

Mrs. Mary Decker

Mr. James Kelechi & Dr. Teresa Kelechi

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Schaer

Mr. & Mrs. Milan Schuler

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

[ $250 - $499 ]Mr. & Mrs. Jack Brooks

Mrs. Beverly Parsons Coons

Mr. Kevin Duffy & Dr. Nancy Duffy

Mrs. Beth Khan

Dr. & Mrs. David McCoy

Mrs. Saranel Niver

Mr. & Mrs. John Page, Jr.

Mrs. Laurie Scott

Mrs. Marie Segars

Mrs. Yolanda Simmons-Long

Mrs. Peggy Sires

Mr. Fred Thompson & Dr. Carolyn

Thiedke

Mr. & Mrs. Laurens Thomas

Mr. Derek Toth

[ $100 - $249 ]Ms. Jean Alexander

Mr. & Mrs. Andy Allen

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Anders

Dr. Jeannette Andrews

Ask the Expert Nurse, Inc.

Ms. Winkie Atkinson

Col. & Mrs. Harry Atkinson

Dr. & Mrs. Randall Baldwin

Mrs. vivian Battat

Bechtel Foundation Matching

Gifts Program

Bechtel Group Foundation

Ms. Jennifer L. Bennett

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Biggs

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Boltin

Mrs. Brenda Brunner-Jackson

Col. & Mrs. Jack Burwell, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Albert Butler, Sr.

Dr. Loretta Camarano-Kangas

Ms. Holly Carlson

Ms. Alex Caton

Dr. Theresa Chandler

Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Richard

Ms. Sherwood Coish

Dr. Brian Conner

Dr. & Mrs. Taylor Cook

Mrs. Betty Crowley

Mrs. Dorothy Dangerfield

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Davis

Major & Mrs. Edward Davis

Mr. & Mrs. Allen Decker

Mrs. Margie Dick

Mr. & Mrs. William Dooley

Mr. & Mrs. Heinrick DuBose-Schmitt, Sr.

Ms. Annette Evans

Ms. Michelle Fennessy

Mr. & Mrs. William Forbes

Dr. Terri Fowler

Mr. & Mrs. John French, III

Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Friedner

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Fuller

Ms. Jeanine Gage

Dr. & Mrs. Charles Garrett, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Perry Gervais

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Harberger

Col. & Mrs. Paul Hass

Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Heyse

HIGHER LEvELS of GIvING through Generosity


Ms. Sandra Higelin

Mr. & Mrs. Craig Hill

Mr. & Mrs. George Hill

Ms. Catherine Hudak

Dr. & Mrs. Paul Joseph, Jr.

Mrs. Carla Kimmel

Ms. Sandra Klein

Dr. & Mrs. Richard Kline

Mrs. Phyllis LaMacchia

Ms. Glenda Landingin

Mrs. Elizabeth Limbaker

Mrs. Laurann Litchfield

Mrs. Patti Long

Mr. Alan Lopez

Ms. Pauline Louthian

Mrs. Ada Faustina Mahaffey

Ms. Janice McFaddin

Dr. & Mrs. David Moon

Mrs. Parrotte

Mr. & Mrs. James Rhoton

Ms. Mary Rinehart

Ms. Lori Robinson

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Rund

Mr. Keith Ryan

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Schell

Dr. & Mrs. Mitchell Seal

Dr. & Mrs. William Simpson, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. David Smith

Dr. & Mrs. Jose Soriano

Mrs. Paula Stabenau

Mr. Nirav Shah & Mrs. Elaine Stuart-Shah

Mrs. Sylvia Sunshine

Mrs. Allison Swingle

Mrs. Heather Williamson

Ms. Margaret Wilson

Mr. & Mrs. Billy Lawton

Ms. Laura Woyahn

[ $1 - $99 ]Dr. & Mrs. Stuart T. Adams

Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Alderman

Ms. Deborah C. Ammons

Mr. & Mrs. S. Jenkins Anderson

Ms. Jane G. Anderson

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Atkinson

Mr. & Mrs. Frank E. Aydlett, Jr.

Ms. Paula T. Bailey

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur W. Bailey, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. George J. Balabushka

Mr. & Mrs. Donald B. Barton

Mr. & Mrs. victor C. Barwick

Ms. Gwen W. Beall

Dr. Randall H. Beckett

Ms. Dene R. Bellamy

Mr. & Mrs. Cecil G. Bennett, Jr.

Dr. Robin L. Bissinger

Dr. & Mrs. Billy R. Blackwell

Mr. James Blain & Dr. Sharon Bond

Major & Mrs. William C. Boeyen

Mr. & Mrs. John R. Boolen

Mr. & Mrs. Carlton R. Bourne

Ms. Cori M. Bowker

Ms. Linda R. Bright

Mr. & Mrs. William P. Brockenfelt

Dr. & Mrs. Carroll S. Brown

Mr. & Mrs. Wayne K. Bucholz

Mr. & Mrs. John M. Burbage

Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Burgess

Mr. & Mrs. William B. Burns

Ms. Casey L. Candy

Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert E. Caroff

Mr. & Mrs. Lowell Carroll

Mr. & Mrs. Philip J. Castengera

Mr. & Mrs. Francis R. Caulder

Mrs. Mary Ann Chitwood

Dr. & Mrs. James T. Christmas

Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Clark

Ms. Ashley v. Clary

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Coleman

Mr. & Mrs. Michael P. Conley

Ms. Janice A. Cook

Mr. & Mrs. Carl C. Coon, Jr.

Ms. Antonia S. Corrigan

Dr. & Mrs. Eric P. Cote’

Mr. & Mrs. Henry O. Counts

Dr. & Mrs. Ralph E. Cox, Jr.

Mrs. Faye P. Croft

The Reverend & Mrs. B.M. Currin

Dr. & Mrs. Paul M. Dainer

Dr. Elizabeth C. Davenport

Ms. Martha A. Day

Mr. & Mrs. Warner H. DeHart

Mr. Thomas Dignam & Ms. Gloria Wilson

Mr. & Mrs. Kim Dillow

Mr. & Mrs. Sammie H. Dingle

Mrs. Emily DeHay Dixon

Dr. & Mrs. Lonnie R. Doles

Ms. Tracy T. Doran

Mrs. Cary P. Dowdy

Mr. David Dumas & Dr. Bonnie Dumas

Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Dunlap

Ms. Margaret L. Dunning

Dr. Catherine O. Durham

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Edmunds, Jr.

Mrs. Miriam v. Eller

Mr. & Mrs. Marion S. Ferguson

Ms. Elizabeth A. Finch

Mr. & Mrs. Donald R. Fink

Mr. & Mrs. Phillip M. Fleming

Mr. & Mrs. Steven E. Floyd

Mrs. Laura B. Fogle

Ms. Lauriston M. Fogle

Mr. Glenn Foust & Mrs. Betty Jennings

Dr. Cassie C. Frazier

Dr. & Mrs. Michael D. French

Mr. & Mrs. Donald B. Furr, Sr.

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher G. Garner

Mrs. Hope C. Gasque

Mr. Brandon P. Gates

Mr. Christophe Gerth

Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Glenn

Ms. Jeannette C. Glenn

Mr. & Mrs. Joe B. Glover, Jr.

Mrs. Alicia P. Grant

Ms. Temisha Grayson

Ms. Amanda U. Green

Ms. Cameo A. Green

Mr. & Mrs. Franklin D. Greene

Mrs. Jamie G. Greer

Captain & Mrs. Richard L. Gregg

Mr. & Mrs. Maurice E. Halsey

Mrs. Frances J. Hancock

Mrs. Kimberly D. Harrelson

Mrs. Kimberly Y. Harris-Eaton

Ms. Alana N. Harrison

Mrs. Dorothy H. Hartley

Mr. & Mrs. David R. Hassen

Mrs. Gertrude S. Hay

Ms. Marcella T. Hickey

Ms. Mae L. Hill

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann C. Hill

Mr. & Mrs. William D. Hilton

Mr. & Mrs. Shawn Hinson

Dr. & Mrs. Roy E. Hudgens, Jr.

Mrs. Miriam M. Hunter

Ms. Janice J. Hutson

Mr. Michael D. Iorio

Mr. & Mrs. Stanley A. Jackson

Mr. & Mrs. George Jenkins

Mr. & Mrs. Harry N. Jett, Jr.

Ms. Ellen Jordan

Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Jordan

Mr. & Mrs. Conrad H. Juchartz

Mrs. Irene L. Judson-Morris

Mr. & Mrs. Kenton L. Keller

Mr. & Mrs. Jack T. Kelley

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin E. Kelly, III

Ms. Bridget E. Kenny

Mr. & Mrs. Abbie Keyes

Mr. & Mrs. Bob C. Kicklighter

Dr. & Mrs. Gary C. Kimsey


Ms. virginia King

Mr. & Mrs. R. Andrew King, Jr.

Ms. Ting Ting Hsieh Kinser

Mr. & Mrs. Blair A. Knapp

Ms. Sheryl A. Knauss

Mr. & Mrs. John G. Knox, III

Mr. & Mrs. Manfred Kollitz

Mr. & Mrs. James L. LaFrage, Jr.

Ms. Kathrine L. Lambright

Mrs. Lisa M. Langdale

Ms. Joan Lapolla

Ms. Kristin M. Larson

Mrs. Elizabeth L. Lawandales

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph E. Lee

Mrs. Ann W. Lee

Mr. & Mrs. David G. Lightsey

Ms. Ashley I. Long

Mrs. Ruth P. Lukoski

Ms. Molly M. Lussier

Mrs. Nancy S. Lynn

Mr. Steven M. Mackin

Ms. Mary Lynne Magnus

Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Magwood

Mr. Robert L. Magwood, Jr. &

Dr. Gayenell S. Magwood

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond A. Manning

Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Marks

Mr. & Mrs. Ivan J. Martin

Dr. & Mrs. Robert A. Martin

Ms. Colleen K. Mayo

Ms. Senovia B. Mays

Mrs. Pamela L. McAuliffe

Mr. & Mrs. Eldon E. McDaniel

Ms. Gennifer G. McDermott

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin F. McGuckin, Jr.

Mrs. Helen A. McInnis

Mr. & Mrs. Gene E. Meyer

Ms. Ericka R. Middleton

Mr. & Mrs. William C. Moody, Jr.

Ms. Janice M. Moore

Mr. & Mrs. Herbert C. Moore

Mrs. Carol R. Morrissey

Mr. & Mrs. Randy Myers

Mrs. Sarah W. Newton

Mr. & Mrs. Ralph M. O’Neal

Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Oliver

The P&G Fund of Greater

Cincinnati Foundation

Dr. & Mrs. R. Dale Padgett

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald D. Padgett

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph E. Park, Sr.

Mrs. Rosanne W. Pate

Mr. & Mrs. Alan M. Perano

Ms. Kathleen A. Peterson

Piedmont Health

Mrs. Martha D. Pike

Mrs. Christel G. Platt

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Plavney

Mr. & Mrs. Walter Pollack

Ms. Kim M. Poulakis

Mrs. Cheryl M. Pratt

The Procter & Gamble Fund

Mr. Stephen E. Proctor

Mrs. Betty S. Quiat

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Raines

Mr. & Mrs. Russell H. Raisig

Ms. Jennifer L. Ramsey

Mr. & Mrs. Edward D. Reed

Mr. & Mrs. Richard H. Reeves

Mr. & Mrs. Devohn D. Rhame

Ms. Angela B. Richards

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Righter

Ms. June Roberts

Mr. & Mrs. John S. Rodenberg

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Rushton

Ms. JoAnne I. Rutherford

Mr. & Mrs. Scott P. Sampson

Mr. & Mrs. Randy Sechrest

Ms. Amy A. Shore

Mr. & Mrs. James R. Shores

Lt. & Mrs. Franklin M. Shuler

Ms. Florence M. Simmons

Mr. & Mrs. Clark P. Smith, Jr.

Dr. Gerald Smolen & Dr. Dianne Smolen

Ms. Susan A. Sparks

Mrs. Marie H. Springs

Ms. Catherine Coker Stoner

Mrs. Jane M. Stretch

Dr. Sally D. Stroud

Ms. virginia E. Sullivan

Ms. Diane I. Taylor

Dr. & Mrs. James T. Taylor, Jr.

Ms. Sandra K. Thames

Ms. Linda J. Thomas

Mr. & Mrs. Randy Toler

Mrs. Lucy W. Turner

Dr. & Mrs. Wiley H. Turner

Mr. & Mrs. A. W. Turner, Jr.

Ms. Carol A. Tuzo

Mr. & Mrs. Rodney N. Tyler

Mr. & Mrs. Albert D. Tyler

Mrs. Carolyn H. van Cleef

Ms. Jennifer N. Walker

Ms. Joyce W. Walker

Ms. Patricia M. Wark

Ms. P. A. Warner

Ms. Joycelyn W. Weaver

Dr. Frances C. Welch

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald J. West

Mrs. Carol A. Whelan

Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. White

Mr. & Mrs. Joel Whitesell

Dr. & Mrs. Philip C. Wilkins

Mr. Adrian Williams & Dr. Tiffany Williams

Mr. & Mrs. Edward C. Williams

Mr. & Mrs. Edward C. Williams

Mrs. Callie H. Williamson

Mr. & Mrs. Harry L. Wolfe

Mr. & Mrs. Dan Yarborough


Higher levels of givingWHY GIvepeople give to the College of nursing for many reasons. alumni give to support their alma mater. Grateful patients give to show their appreciation for a nurse who cared for them. Many times, people give to honor the memory of a loved one. But, in the end, the best reason for making a gift to the MUsC College of nursing is this: every one of the 4.7 million people now living in south Carolina – and many more outside the state – will one day require the care of a highly skilled nurse. and educating those nurses is what we do best.

WHeRe to GIveyou can designate your gift any way you wish. the College has established more than 70 funds to support a wide range of scholarships, research projects, education programs, campus renovations and other priorities, some of which are highlighted under the “giving” tab at our website www.musc.edu/nursing. or, if you wish, you may establish a new fund to meet your very specific philanthropic goals. for example, some people choose to set up a scholarship fund to benefit students interested in a specific field of nursing. or, you can make a gift to our unrestricted fund, which helps the College meet unforeseen needs and opportunities as they emerge. if you are not sure how you would like to designate your gift, please feel free to contact us by phone toll free at (800) 810-6872 or by email at [email protected] .

BeNefItS of GIvINGJust one word: iMpaCt! your generosity allows us to provide outstanding community outreach programs, cutting edge research and innovative teaching that will produce highly competent bedside nurses, advanced-practice nurses, nursing faculty and health-policy leaders.

HoW to GIveto make an online donation, visit www.musc.edu/giving. or you may mail your donation to:MUsC foundation18 Bee street, MsC 450Charleston, sC 29425

please make sure to designate your gift for the College of nursing in the “for” line at the bottom of your check. for more information, please contact Laurie scott, Director of Development at the MUsC College of nursing, at:phone: (843) 792-8421toll free: (800) 810-6872 (MUsC)email: [email protected]


Globalization is a strategic priority for MUSC. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni are actively

engaged in collaborative global partnerships in the areas of education, public health, clinical care,

and research.

Millions of individuals and families around the world live in extreme poverty. These individuals

struggle daily to provide food for their families and have little to no access to health care. In the pages

that follow, you will read how members of the College of Nursing are donating their time and expertise

to lend a helping hand to several such impoverished communities around the world.

Globalization: Spanning Countries & Culture


nicaragUaIn March 2013, a group of College of Nursing students were

among 28 medical and non-medical volunteers who spent

a week in the Chinandega province of Nicaragua treating

more than 800 patients in five clinic sites. The nursing

students worked in the triage station performing the initial

health interview to gather the patient’s chief complaints,

assess their vital signs and administer medication for

parasites. Zachary Davis Childress, one of our Accelerated

BSN students, shares his experience with Lifelines.

The day after arriving in Managua, Nicaragua, our group set out

on a three to four hour bus trip to Chinandega, which lies in the

northwest corner of the country. We boarded the 1980’s US school

bus that had no air conditioning or seat belts and set out on our

journey. As we made our way out of the capital, we had our first

glimpse of the tin roof structures that people called home. Poverty

in Nicaragua is inescapable as it is one of the poorest countries in

the western hemisphere. Just as dramatic as the poverty was the

view of the countryside from the bus. Cone shaped volcanoes rose

endlessly into the clouds behind fields littered with plastic bags and

other debris. After several hours of bouncing up and down on the

innersprings of our hot, sweaty, black vinyl bus seats we made it to

our destination in Chinandega.

The first day at the clinic was organized chaos. Although we

were well prepared about what we would see at the clinic, the

shear number of people seeking care was awe inspiring and

intimidating at the same time. After an hour or two in triage, I

started to feel comfortable with the job at hand. At that moment I

recognized that I was fulfilling a life long goal to help underserved

populations in developing nations. I was overwhelmed with a

sense of accomplishment and peace within myself. It felt great to

put my years of experience living in a Spanish speaking country

and my studies in developmental politics to use in a way that

betters the human experience for so many people. I triaged about

40 people that day. This experience quickly built my confidence in

taking vital signs and health histories from a variety of patients.

Each of the next five days was similar to the last. We started

each morning by making the one to two-hour journey on the same

1980’s bus to get to the village that we would be serving that day.

Driving to different villages daily ensured that we were able to see

a lot of the country. We quickly learned that a moving bus was a

liberia: carter center prograM revieWIn April, the Carter Center held their Second

Annual Mental Health Liberia Program Review.

Issues related to Liberian policy, training, outcomes

management, stigma reduction, family support,

and fundraising

were discussed.

As part of the

meeting, Dean

Gail Stuart,

PhD, RN, FAAN,

presented her

ideas on a

future Mental

Health Liberian

Leadership Academy to provide for the

sustainability of this program. She returned to

Liberia in October to continue her work on this

important global project.

happy bus, because the wind that rushed through the open windows was

the only relief that we got from the 100-degree weather.

The pop-up clinics were in buildings that didn’t have much more than

a roof and walls. I only remember running water at one of the clinics.

Other villages relied on well water for their drinking needs. When the well

ran dry, there were no stores within miles where you could buy bottled

water. Water insecurity was a major issue in rural Nicaragua and its

residents often suffered from chronic dehydration, kidney pain and illness

related to an unclean water supply. Since unsafe water is the root cause

of many of the health issues that we encountered, it would be beneficial

to have a mission trip that focused solely on providing safe drinking

water. Other health issues that we assessed included muscle pain related

to a strenuous agrarian lifestyle and fungal/parasitic infections related to

the heat, humidity and unsanitary conditions.

That week we treated over 800 people who would normally not have

had access to care. Interacting with the Nicaraguan people was the most

rewarding aspect of the trip. We learned so much from the locals that

week. From honing our assessment skills to learning medical Spanish,

we each gained skills that will be especially valuable in our home state

where the Hispanic population is growing and in need of providers who

understand their individualized needs.

I have already been researching where to go next. I’m not sure if my

next medical trip will be to Nicaragua, Vietnam or India. But what I do

know is, there will be another.

chinaIn July, Dean Gail Stuart, PhD, RN, FAAN and

Robin Bissinger, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC, FAAN,

associate dean for academics, traveled to Suqian

and Nanjing, China to meet with hospital officials

for a series of personal exchanges and discussions

about nursing. At Suqian Hospital they were

greeted by the hospital’s president, Dr. Qin Wang,

and vice president, Mr. Jintian Fan.

More than 300 Chinese nurses attended a

presentation by Drs. Stuart and Bissinger that

included topics such as the changing roles of

nurses, advanced nursing careers, and nursing

education in the US.

Dr. Dehua Zang, director of the nursing

department, believes the visit enhanced mutual

understanding and friendship, and provided a

platform for future exchanges and academic options.

Left to right: College of Nursing students Kyra Wilson, Zach Childress and Allison roble enjoy the breeze off the coast of Nicaragua.

Students traveled to Nicaragua with the Palmetto Medical initiative.

dean Stuart with Mrs. rosalynn Carter.

Gail Stuart and robin Bissinger spent time in both Suqian and Nanjing, meeting with hospital officials, nurses and physicians as they explored

aspects of their health care delivery system.


belize Medical MissionsCollege of Nursing alumnus, Amanda (Geise)

Whisnant, CPNP, (MSN ‘05) is the medical

director for International Servants, a non-profit

mission that provides services to those in need in

Belize. Ms. Whisnant’s husband, Paul Whisnant,

is founder and CEO of International Servants.

Each year Ms. Whisnant leads medical teams

to Belize that are comprised of 25 to 30 medical

volunteers from the US, ranging from nurses

and technicians to physician assistants, nurse

practitioners and medical doctors. These teams

treat thousands of patients in urban areas and

remote jungle villages.

Ms. Whisnant reports, “My two years at the

College of Nursing were two of the best years

of my life.

I look back

with fond

memories,

especially

when I

think of the

faculty and

their tireless

dedication to

training their

students.

They instilled

in me the

desire to

help others

less fortunate than myself, and to provide

health care for the precious children of the

underdeveloped world. It is a joy to do my job

as the Belize medical director. Nothing is more

rewarding than caring for a needy child who

would otherwise receive no medical care. It is

my hope that other students and alumni who

read this article will be inspired to do the same,

to give back, to give freely of their services when

they can, to make a difference in this world…one

precious life at a time.”

To the right is just one of Ms. Whisnant’s

amazing stories of how she is using her nursing

expertise to help save the lives of the vulnerable

population in Belize.

heilin’s storya father and mother brought their little girl, Heilin, to

the clinic because she had been run over by a car a

few months prior and this was her third cast that the

Belizean doctors had applied to her arm. the father

was concerned about his daughter because her skin

was starting to smell and he was worried her skin was

becoming infected. sure enough her skin was infected,

borderline gangrene. the wounds were cleaned and

she was given some oral antibiotics to help with the

skin infection, but her arm was too severely fractured

and mangled. she needed a complicated orthopaedic

surgery that wasn’t available in Belize. i promised her

father that when i returned home i would try to find a

way to bring his little girl to the Us to get the surgery

she needed to save her arm and save her life.

i spent months working to arrange for Heilin to

be brought to Dallas, tX for the surgery to repair her

arm. Heilin’s mom shares, “i was happy, surprised, and

absolutely relieved when i got to the Us. it’s unbeliev-

able to know that we’re able to come for Heilin to have

this surgery. i’m extremely happy and grateful to have

this opportunity. We didn’t have the funds in Belize

and without international servants, we would not have

received the treatment she needed.”

post surgery, Heilin is doing well. the important part

is that doing things like this opens the hearts of the

people in that village. When they see Heilin now, they

don’t see a little girl, they see a miracle.

Amanda Whisnant (pictured right) with heilin and her mother.


Around the College

After more than 13 years as president of MUSC, Raymond

S. Greenberg, MD, PhD, stepped down at the end of August

to become executive vice chancellor for health affairs at

The University of Texas System. While a national search

is underway to find his replacement, the MUSC Board of

Trustees unanimously appointed Mark S. Sothmann, PhD to

serve as the interim president.

During his tenure at the helm of MUSC, Dr. Greenberg was

instrumental in the growth and expansion of the university

and medical center, increased research funding, established

community partnerships that medically provide help to

underserved populations, developed statewide partnerships

with other universities, hospitals and businesses to improve

the health of South Carolina residents and numerous other

efforts.

“Dr. Greenberg was a particularly strong advocate for our

College of Nursing,” Dean Gail Stuart noted. “He opened the

doors for us to innovate in our teaching technologies, expand

our programs of study and fuel our research initiatives. Most importantly his vision for the future provided the stimulus

for the renovation of our building that is currently underway. I speak for all of our faculty and staff in saying that he will be

missed greatly but we wish him great success in his new role.”

sayiNG GooDBye to Dr. GreeNBerG

V

Governor Nikki haley declared August 9th ray Greenberg day.

The Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence selected the College

of Nursing to participate in the 2013-2015 Jonas Nurse Leaders

Scholar Program by awarding a $20,000 grant to support two

DNP scholars.

The Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholar

Program was created in 2008 to support the

educational development of new nursing

faculty and stimulate models for joint faculty

appointments between schools of nursing

and clinical affiliates. The grants, made

through institutional awards, also prepare

doctoral candidates to help students address

the needs of future patients—from dealing

with comorbidities and chronic illnesses to

providing culturally competent care.

Carrie Cormack, MSN, APRN, CPNP-BC

and Amy Williams, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC,

both DNP students and CON instructors,

were selected as the College of Nursing’s

Jonas Scholars.

The Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholars at

Medical University of South Carolina is made possible by a

grant from the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence funded by

the Jonas Family Fund.

tWo FaCULty joiN eLite joNas NUrse LeaDers

V Cormack

Williams


vana collaboration eXtendedThe veterans Affairs Nursing Academy

(vANA) was established in 2007 as a five-

year pilot program to facilitate stronger and

mutually beneficial partnerships between

the Department of veterans Affairs and the

College of Nursing. vANA incentivized the

development of new models of academic

partnerships based on strong and trusting

relationships, shared faculty and trainees,

innovation in education and patient care,

and an emphasis on scholarship and inquiry.

Financial support from the vA central

office ended August 31, 2013, necessitating

a transition to local sustainment of the

partnership that has been extended for three

years.

ANursingAcademyV

Sachin Patel, MSc, asked his eight

students a question at the end of their

programming internship: “Who was your

best friend?”

Without pausing or cracking a smile, they

replied in unison: “Google.”

For two months the students in the MUSC

Medical Apps Internship program at the

College of Nursing learned how to develop and market mo-

bile phone applications that would help doctors and patients

manage their health care.

They transformed from high school and college students

to CEOs, chief financial officers and company presidents.

They developed mobile phone apps based on ideas con-

ceived by MUSC researchers: one for young women to track

their workouts, another app that reminds patients to take

their medication and a third that tracks a patient’s medical

history and delivers the information to physicians.

Jennifer Jackson came to the program with experience.

She sits at the top of her class at voorhees College and al-

ready owns a recording studio.

“I was pretty confident coming in here, but when Sachin

told us what to do the first day, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’”

Jackson said. “He threw us to the wolves, but I appreciate it

and now have a better understanding of the direction I want

to go.”

Mr. Patel is the director of systems

architecture of the Technology Applications Center for

Healthful Lifestyles (TACHL), an MUSC program that uses

technology to improve health care, and director of technol-

ogy in the College of Nursing. He spent an hour each day

with the students, many of whom never had worked a nine

to five shift before this program. Mr. Patel said he gave them

just enough knowledge to get to the next steps—if they used

Google and YouTube tutorials to help along the way.

“Everyone’s getting on Sachin,” said Christian White, a

16-year-old rising senior at the Governor’s School. “But, for

real, he’s a pretty dope guy.”

“I guess that’s good,” Mr. Patel said.

Gifts from corporate and individual donors, including

AT&T, helped make the program possible. Pamela Lackey,

AT&T’s president for South Carolina, encouraged the stu-

dents to stay in touch as they head to the working world.

“This kind of program represents the type of transforma-

tion that we need in the public education system in South

Carolina,” Ms. Lackey said. “That is, students are solving real-

world problems.”

Adaya Sturkey, a rising senior at the South Carolina Gov-

ernor’s School, served as CEO on her project, the medical

history tracker, after realizing that she struggled with the

programming side of the job.

“The biggest thing I took away was that if you don’t know

how to do something, hire someone who does,” Ms. Sturkey

said. “That was really hard for me, because I like being the

smartest person in the room. But I think I speak for everyone

when I say that we’re taking home friendships as well.”

The internship program grew from collaboration between

former MUSC President Ray Greenberg, MD, PhD and Gov-

ernor’s School President Murray Brockman, PhD.

“We wanted to promote more minorities going into tech

fields,” Dr. Greenberg said. “Charleston could become a

national, if not international center for students to develop

their own companies.”

Drs. Greenberg and Brockman left the eight selected

students in the care of Mr. Patel and Tom Finnegan, a bio-

technology entrepreneur and investor who leads MUSC’s

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Mr. Finnegan

said several students barely spoke for the first few weeks but

“left thinking like business people,” with an understanding of

leadership, marketing and competition research.

Looking to the group at a graduation reception, he re-

minded them of another lesson. “When you’re successful,

you do what?” Mr. Finnegan asked.

In unison, they responded: “You give back.”

MUsC iNterNship MaKes stUDeNts thiNK LiKe eNtrepreNeUrs

V

Patel


instructor Sachin Patel (center) works with Joshua Goodwin and Michelle frasier in the MUSC Summer entrepreneurial and Medical Apps internship Program.

former MUSC President ray Greenberg joins sponsors from At&t, internship instructors Sachin Patel and tom finnegan and graduates of the first MUSC Summer

entrepreneurial and Medical Apps internship Program.

The College of Nursing continues to offer faculty and students the opportunity to interact

with national nursing leaders on a one-on-one basis.

During PhD Residency Week, held in July, the College welcomed Beth Collins Sharp, PhD,

RN, senior advisor for Women’s Health and Gender Research, and senior advisor for Nursing

at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). In both roles, she works with

intramural activities, contributing to standing and peer review committees and engaging

stakeholder groups. She holds a strong identity as a nurse but is a true believer in multi-

disciplinary teams.

Below is an interview with Dr. Collins Sharp in which she discusses the changing role of

nurses that is excerpted from the AHRQ publication, Research Activities.

Around the College


> What role do you see nurses playing in health care research?Nurses affect so many aspects of health care in addition to direct clinical care—quality measurement, data collection for clinical trials, insurance coverage review, health and insurance hot lines, patient education classes, and many others. In many of these roles, we hold certification or additional training.

> Why are nurse researchers so critical in developing health services research? We bring an on-the-ground perspective—a reality check—to studies. Ideally, nurses are involved from the beginning as questions are developed through to the end when the research gets put into practice. We’re often the clinicians collecting data and documenting care or implementing the intervention. We can identify problems during pilot studies or run-in periods in the research protocols. After all, we are experienced with clinical protocols. And, of course, when the study is complete, we’re often doing much of the patient education.

> As the health care system undergoes transformation, how will the role of the nurses change? As the number of advanced practice and doctorally-prepared nurses grows, the interest in designing studies and being principal investigators grows. Nursing research used to focus mostly on nursing education studies and then on psychosocial questions. So there’s a lot of methodological expertise in qualitative methods and evaluation. I see nurses having an increasing presence on multidisciplinary teams in co-investigator and principal investigator roles. But probably the biggest stimulus of transformation is the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) 2011 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.

> What’s changed since the IOM report on the future of nursing was published? Donna Shalala (former secretary of HHS and current president of the University of Miami) said, “The report is really about the future of health care in our country. It points out that nurses are going to have a critical role in that future, especially in producing safe, quality care and coverage for all patients in our health care system.”

The report resonated with several sections of the health care industry and they recognize that the report is actionable. The RWJ Foundation and AARP collaborated to create an initiative called the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action. So far, over 80 organizations have become involved in this initiative. Another change has been the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). There are provisions that speak about both registered nurses and nurse practitioners.

> Do you think the Affordable Care Act will help advance nursing practice? Calling out nurse practitioners in legislation helps the health care industry take note and look at policies that incorporate advanced nursing practice.

> How are the views of nurses reflected in the work at AHRQ?I’ve always loved that AHRQ has a multidisciplinary atmosphere where teamwork is more than talk. It’s real. When I think about AHRQ’s portfolios, they reflect important areas of transformation and there’s a place for nursing in all of them. > What are your goals for integrating nurses’ expertise at AHRQ? As senior advisor for nursing, I look for intersections with AHRQ where the nursing perspective can be helpful and areas to promote AHRQ to nursing stakeholders. I have two big goals. One is to have nurses on every technical expert and peer review panel and similar groups where the business of that group involves nursing stakeholders. Second I want to promote the use of AHRQ products by nurses. Nurses are not only the largest segment of health services, we are integrated throughout the system, most especially with patients. Our unique perspective can have real impact. I don’t think we have consistently engaged the nursing perspective or leveraged the opportunities that are available by partnering with nurse stakeholders.

Citation: The changing role of nurses: Research Activities, December 2012, No. 388. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. www.ahrq.gov/news/newsletters/researchactivities/12dec/1212RA1.html

NUrse LeaDers share expertise

V

The Changing Role of Nurses

In May 2013, Charleston was chosen as one of 19 nationally funded veterans Health Administration (vHA)

Centers of Innovation (COIN). The vHA initiated the COIN program to promote innovative research,

facilitate partnerships and collaboration across disciplines, and increase the impact of health services

research on the health and health care of veterans.

Charleston’s COIN is the Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center (HEROIC). HEROIC’s

mission is to improve access and equity in health care for all veterans by eliminating geographic, racial/

ethnic, and gender-based disparities. HEROIC focuses on three areas of research: health equity, access to

care, and rural health.

An important role of the COIN initiative is to facilitate productive partnerships between researchers and those who

implement valid findings. Toward this end, HEROIC has sought out a diverse team of partners to help test and disseminate

interventions, improve methodologies for analyzing health equity data, develop an equity report card using vHA

administrative data, and refine metrics for measuring access to care. The College of Nursing is among the HEROIC’s partners.

Charlene Pope, PhD, MPH, CNM, FAAN, associate professor and chief nurse for research at the Ralph H. Johnson

vA Medical Center, leads the Implementation/Partner Research Core in the new COIN. She relates, “HEROIC’s talented

and multidisciplinary team of health services researchers are positioned well to advance knowledge and dissemination

of interventions that reduce disparities and have tremendous impact on the quality of health care available to veterans

nationwide.” She further explains, “The greatest asset of our current program is our dynamic group of interdisciplinary

researchers dedicated to eliminating disparities. We expect to continue facilitating a collaborative, multidisciplinary research

environment where different views and perspectives bring balance and insight to our research. As such, we welcome new

opportunities for collaboration with nurse researchers interested in improving the access and equity of health care for all

veterans.”

For the third annual Janelle Othersen visiting Professorship on July 24, 2013, the College of Nursing welcomed Donna K.

Hathaway, PhD, FAAN. Dr. Hathaway is a university distinguished professor in the Department of Advanced Practice and

Doctoral Studies at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center.

During her visit, Dr. Hathaway presented, “Pinnacles, pitfalls and lessons learned from a research career,” to College

of Nursing research faculty. She concluded the day by giving a campus-wide presentation titled, “Finding your way in a

changing health care environment.”

Dr. Hathaway has held a variety of clinical positions working primarily in post surgical units and has taught in all levels of

nursing schools. Her research, which examines quality of life and biobehavioral outcomes following organ transplantation,

has been funded since the late 1980’s

and is widely published in professional

journals. As part of this program of

research, Dr. Hathaway has been

the sponsor of several K-awards and

minority supplements. In addition,

she has mentored numerous pre- and

post-doctoral nurses, as well as pre-

and post-doctoral transplant research

fellows.

Dr. Hathaway is well-known for

her leadership and advocacy in creating

innovational nursing education programs, building interprofessional experiences for students and faculty, and incorporating

principles of quality improvement and patient safety in health professions education.

proFessorship series BriNGs NUrse researCher

V

CharLestoN seLeCteD va CeNter oF iNNovatioN

V

Left to right: dr. donna hathaway, Mrs. Janelle othersen, dr. h. Biemann othersen and dean Gail Stuart.

Pope


ncin grantees leading cultural shifts*Increasing diversity is a major goal of the Robert Wood

Johnson Foundation New Careers in Nursing (RWJF NCIN)

program and one of the key strategies to eliminate health

disparities.

A 2012 evaluation conducted by Educational Testing

Service (ETS) to assess the impact of the RWJF NCIN

scholarships revealed noteworthy trends in cultural

change at grantee institutions. According to the ETS report,

“increased diversity was the most commonly-cited change

in culture and impact of the RWJF scholarship program.”

Colleges and schools of nursing reported that after receiving

NCIN grants and support, not only were they recruiting

and enrolling more students from groups traditionally

underrepresented in nursing (including men), but had also

made changes that contributed to more inclusive learning

environments for individuals from those groups.

Twenty-eight percent of South Carolina’s population is

African-American, (the largest minority group in the state)

but only 11 percent of the state’s registered nurse workforce

is African-American. Latinos comprise five percent of the

state’s population but less than one percent of the registered

nurse workforce. In response to these statistics, the Medical

University of South Carolina (MUSC), a five-time NCIN

grantee, developed a unique recruiting plan to work toward

having their nursing student population reflect the state’s

demographics.

Nancy Duffy, DNP, RN, CEN, CNE, former MUSC

director of undergraduate programs and NCIN program

liaison, and her colleagues asked scholars to reach out to

their communities and identify individuals interested in

careers in health care and invite them to the college to visit

the nursing school facilities. Inviting interested potential

students to spend a day visiting simulation labs and learning

about the nursing profession has helped MUSC recruit more

diverse scholars in the last year.

“Scholars are just reaching into their community to

do this. I can’t do this all alone and so far students have

embraced the idea and identified potential applicants for us,”

said Duffy.

“We have dramatically changed our plan in how we

approach diversity,” Duffy said. “Diversity has taken a

strategic front and center focus in our college. We realized

that several concepts were present in all programs but a

unified, integrated approach was necessary. We revised

the philosophy and mission to emphasize health equity

and cultural effectiveness as the underpinnings for each

program of study. We are now enhancing courses across

the college to strengthen cohesiveness and attention to

these concepts.”

It is this understanding of the importance of cultural

competence and promoting equity that will lead to

significant culture change and increase recruitment and

retention of diverse students.

* Reprinted from the Robert Wood Johnson New Careers in Nursing newsletter, Fast Track, July 2013.

eMBraCiNG Diversity

V

Around the College


MUsc college of nUrsing diversity stateMent

the College of Nursing is committed to

embracing and drawing from the unique

voices, experiences, and perspectives of

our students, faculty, staff, and volunteers

in all that we do. our commitment to

diversity, health equity and inclusion

informs and empowers us to reflect and

effectively serve all of our constituents.

Male nurses group organizes, gives back to communityAccording to the US Census Bureau the number of male nurses has more than tripled since the 1970s from about 2.7 percent

of registered nurses to 9.6 percent in 2011. Currently, about 12 percent of College of Nursing students are male. This summer,

the College increased the number of male tenure track faculty to five with the addtion of Kahlil Demonbreun, DNP, RNC-OB,

WHNP-BC, ANP-BC.

Last year, faculty members Berry Anderson, PhD, RN and Brian Conner PhD, RN, CNE became the inaugural president

and vice-president of a newly established MUSC group called Men in Nursing. They established this group in an effort to

facilitate professional growth in practice and education, and to support and inform the community. The local Men in Nursing

group is modeled after the American Assembly for Men in Nursing with hopes of joining the national organization in the

near future. Currently the local group has 55 members including faculty, staff and students at MUSC.

Social events and group participation in community projects are planned throughout the year. “The young students have

such a positive opinion of nursing and men as nurses. I was so happy to see this in the next generation,” said Dr. Anderson.

In early May, Drs. Anderson and Conner joined students, Matt Bogart, Matt Couture, Kevin McCarthy, Adam Miller, Matt

Morris, Michael Occhipinti, and Taylor Roberts to contribute their talents to building a home in North Charleston for Habitat

for Humanity.

The Men in Nursing group meets every month on campus with evening social events at local restaurants planned every

three months. To join the local Men in Nursing group, contact Dr. Berry Anderson at [email protected].

cultural competence workshopOn April 29, cultural competence expert Marianne R. Jeffreys, EdD, RN, facilitated

a workshop titled, “Enhancing cultural competence education throughout the

curriculum,” for College of Nursing faculty with the goal of developing skills to

identify and implement cultural competence content in course objectives, course

content, learning activities, and learning outcomes.

Workshop coordinator and College of Nursing instructor, Tiffany Williams, DNP,

APRN, CPNP-PC, was impressed with Dr. Jeffreys’ tool set and exercise strategies

for integrating cultural competency into the nursing curriculum. “The small group

sessions forced me to think deeper about purposeful ways to incorporate cultural

competence in my nursing courses,” Dr. Williams said.

Dr. Jeffreys’ grant-funded research, consultations, publications, and professional

presentations encompass the topics of cultural competence, nontraditional

students, student retention and achievement, self-efficacy, teaching, curriculum

and psychometrics.

“I had a great day on the Men in Nursing Habitat for Humanities

build. I left the Habitat build inspired to continue to give back to the community by

volunteering time and energy to those who need it most.

I hope this is a tradition we as an organization can continue.”

- Michael Occhipinti, Accelerated BSN student

Left to right: tiffany Williams, Marianne Jeffreys and Gail Stuart.

Left to right: Michael occhipinti; Matthew Couture; Adam Miller; roberts taylor; Matthew Bogart; Stephen Morris; Brian Conner, assistant professor; Kevin McCarthy; and Berry Anderson, assistant professor.


By Allyson Bird,Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

Eleven high school juniors and seniors from Johns Island

gathered in the lobby of the MUSC Health Care Simulation

Lab, where Shannon Bright Smith, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC,

CGRN, asked what they wanted to do as adults.

Without pausing, they answered: An engineer for Boeing.

An obstetrician. A cosmetic chemist.

Dr. Smith, instructor in the College of Nursing, grew up in

rural Walterboro, one of 13 children, and put herself through

nursing school and onto her doctoral degree while working.

“You can do and be anything you want,” she told the

students. Smith encouraged them to call her if they needed

help along their own academic journeys.

Senior Savaisha Boykin shook her head. “That’s the best

speech I’ve ever heard!”

velvett Simmons had more practical concerns: “Do you

get to wear scrubs?” she asked.

The girls and their classmates belong to the MUSC Teen

Health Leadership program at St. John’s High School, a

group that launched five years ago in a partnership between

the MUSC College of Nursing, the MUSC Medical Library,

St. John’s and Communities in Schools. The program,

which grew from the College of Nursing’s Hispanic Health

Initiative, aims to increase health literacy and leadership

and to promote health careers among minority students.

The students’ success in this program correlates with the

rest of their lives, according to their counselor, Derek Toth.

Each student in the Teen Health Leadership is a stand-out

athlete and a dedicated volunteer.

“The only students at St. John’s who have been accepted

to college so far are in this group,” Mr. Toth said.

Deborah Williamson, DHA, MSN, RN, associate dean

for practice in the College of Nursing, said that only one

student in the Teen Health Leadership program in the

past five years did not attend college after graduation. She

recently received an email from one graduate now studying

in Paris.

Dr. Williamson said students hold the key to healthier

families simply by knowing how to navigate the resources

available to them.

“In those families, it is the teen who understands the

internet,” Dr. Williamson said.

The students choose an outreach project each year to

present in their community and deliver just outside of

Washington at the National Library of Medicine, which

provides $60,000 each year for the program. The group

meets every Wednesday after school to work on a brochure

and a video in preparation for that presentation.

This year they tossed around three ideas: West Nile virus,

self-esteem and autism. They chose autism, a topic that

directly affects students in their school, even though their

classmates know little about it.

Lidia Ojeda, a junior, joined the Teen Health Leadership

program last year with low expectations.

“I thought it was going to be a not very fun thing,” she

said. “But when I came to the meeting, it was really fun. We

get to do a lot of work in teams.”

When the students toured the simulation lab, they

observed a model operating room and a mannequin with

eyes that open and shut and pupils that dilate. They learned

how to properly take his pulse.

But their work in the Teen Health Leadership program

moves beyond the clinic and into the community. They

share their research at local libraries, health clinics and

sporting events.

When they meet someone, they shake hands with a

confident grip. When addressing strangers, they make eye

contact and speak with authority. They intend to succeed,

and they also plan to bring home the benefits of their

education.

Seniors Ashley Freeman and LaTarsha Green, brought a

similar health leadership program to younger students at

nearby Haut Gap Middle School, not only to educate them,

but “to make the transition from middle to high school

easier,” Ms. Green said.

Ms. Freeman said last year, when the group researched

cancer, she encouraged her own father to get regular

prostate screenings.

“It has helped me when people say they’re having

problems with health,” she said. “I can refer them to a place.”

teeN heaLth LeaDers set exaMpLe For CLassMates, CoMMUNity

V

Students from the teen health Leadership Program observe in the Simulation Lab.

Around the College


The right thing to do.The right time to do it.

Changing What’s Possiblein Nursing Education


At a time when competition for the best and brightest students is at an all time high, scholarships play a vital role in helping the College of Nursing attract the best nursing candidates. Of the current nursing students, over 80 percent qualify for financial

aid. Whether you contribute to a scholarship fund or an endowed chair, you are providing the College with the critical

resources it needs to faithfully execute its mission.

For more information on giving to the MUSC College of Nursing, visit www.musc.edu/giving or call Laurie Scott at (843) 792-8421.

Give a gift that will bring a lifetime of benefits.

smith receives outstanding clinician awardEpilepsy can strike at any age, but it is the

very young and the very old who are the most

vulnerable. For the stricken children, Georgette

“Gigi” Smith, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, associate

professor and director of graduate programs, is

their champion.

Dr. Smith has devoted more than two-thirds

of her 28 years as a professional to children with epilepsy and their

parents at MUSC. Her care extends beyond the clinic and hospital

settings into the community in a tireless effort to ensure quality of

life and best outcomes for her patients. Together with a pediatrician

specializing in developmental disabilities, they developed a

neurobehavioral clinic to see children with autism, behavioral

disorders and epilepsy, which has been favorably received by

caregivers. She also has been involved in the establishment of

MUSC’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, which the National

Association of Epilepsy Centers has designated as a Level 4 facility,

the highest classification possible. She is a role model for clinicians,

possessing the expertise and compassion that sets her apart from

others.

Beyond those admirable qualities, however, she is a staunch

advocate for her patients and their families. She closely follows her

patients over the years, working with families through changes

in treatment, accessing educational and medical resources, and

comforting caregivers if events take a tragic turn. “It is this devotion

that truly epitomizes her unparalleled clinical excellence,” says one

colleague.

Dr. Smith’s commitment to her profession and to her patients has

not gone unnoticed. She has earned a nationwide reputation as an

expert clinician in pediatric epilepsy. She has assisted in developing

the non-profit South Carolina Advocates for Epilepsy that provides

education, support and leisure activities for families living with

epilepsy. In addition she was appointed to serve on the South

Carolina Study Committee to Develop a Statewide Comprehensive

Service Delivery System for Persons with Epilepsy. She continues to

advocate for quality of life for persons living with epilepsy and their

families through her advocacy and education work in the state with

lay organizations, professional organizations and schools. Due to

her clinical expertise, she has been appointed to various professional

committees in the American Epilepsy Society, including the

Professionals in Epilepsy Care Committee, Education Council, and

Nursing Research Special Interest Group.

Dr. Smith constantly goes above and beyond her professional

obligations in order for her patients and their families to have a

rewarding life. She truly is their champion, and in recognition of her

efforts, MUSC Foundation presented her the award for Outstanding

Clinician during fall Faculty Convocation ceremonies.

FaCULty aWarDs & reCoGNitioN

V

cormack receives teaching excellence award for developing teacher

On the academic side, Carrie

Cormack, MSN, RN, CPNP, is

both a teacher and a student.

She is an instructor in the

College of Nursing while also

pursuing her Doctor of Nursing

Practice degree.

Professionally, she is a

certified pediatric nurse practitioner at Pattison’s

Academy for Comprehensive Education, a

local charter school for children with multiple

disabilities. Most importantly, however, she is

a mother with small children. Any one of these

pursuits would be challenging, but together they

are indeed daunting. Yet, succeed she does.

Teresa Kelechi, PhD, GCNS-BC, CWCN,

FAAN, professor and department chair, states,

“She is very skilled at fusing the academic side of

learning with the art of nursing, especially the art

of caring for children with severe and multiple

disabilities.”

Ms. Cormack also is skilled at combining a

student’s role with that of a teacher, Dr. Kelechi

adds, “allowing her to experience the life of a

student and having an appreciation for what the

student goes through.” As a result, current and

former students offer praise for her enthusiasm,

unwavering support and genuine interest in

helping them succeed.

That same level of dedication carries over to

her duties at Pattison’s Academy, where she leads

in-service sessions for the faculty on how to

care for the children in their care. “There is not

a person who works harder or is as dedicated as

Carrie Cormack,” states Stevie Ward, a teacher at

the school. “She has devoted her life to helping

educate and assist others.”

Ms. Cormack continually demonstrates a desire

to improve not only her own life, but the lives of

others. For her many contributions, the MUSC

Foundation presented her with the Teaching

Excellence Award for Developing Teacher during

fall Faculty Convocation ceremonies.

Focus on Faculty


duffy departs, conner appointed undergraduate program director

After nine years as director of the

undergraduate program, Nancy

Duffy, DNP, RN, CEN, CNE said

farewell on September 30 to relocate

to North Carolina where she will

open a new nursing program.

Upon her departure, Brian Conner,

PhD, RN, CNE, assumed the role of

director of the undergraduate program.

Over the span of his nursing career, Dr. Conner has

served in a number of leadership and management

positions including director of critical care, nursing

supervisor, administrator of a multi-physician

pediatric practice, director of quality improvement

and community outreach, and nursing consultant.

He received a PhD in Nursing from MUSC, a Masters

in Nursing with a specialty in health care education

and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University

of Phoenix.

Williams attends prestigious development programsTiffany Williams, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, instructor,

continued to hone her skills this summer. In June,

she participated in the Robert Wood Johnson

Foundation’s New Connections Seventh Annual

Symposium that was held in Princeton, NJ. The

symposium was designed to increase the visibility

and enhance the skill sets of New Connections

grantees and potential applicants who are early

to midcareer researchers from historically

underrepresented groups.

After a brief visit home, Dr. Williams traveled to

Brooklyn, NY for the NIH funded PRIDE Summer

Institute at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in July.

PRIDE’s aim is to broaden the demographic profile of

cardiovascular health disparities research by train-

ing junior scientists from underrepresented minority

backgrounds and those with disabilities.

Magwood attends genetics instituteGayenell Magwood, PhD, RN, associate

professor, attended the highly competitive and

prestigious Summer Genetics Institute (SGI) at

the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda,

MD held in June.

Sponsored by the National Institute of

Nursing Research, the one-month intensive

research training program provides participants with a

foundation in molecular genetics appropriate for use in research

and clinical practice. The program increases the research

capability among graduate students and faculty and develops

and expands clinical practice in genetics among clinicians.

Administered by the Foundation for Advanced Education in

the Sciences as one of its Specialty Bio-Trac programs, the SGI

features lectures and hands-on laboratory training.

bond inducted as acnM fellowSharon M. Bond, PhD, CNM, FACNM, associate professor, was

inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Nurse-Midwives

(ACNM) during the association’s 58th annual meeting that was

held this summer in Nashville, TN.

A limited number of midwives

are selected for this highly coveted

distinction each year. Fellowship

in the American College of Nurse-

Midwives (FACNM) is an honor

bestowed upon those midwives

whose demonstrated leadership,

clinical excellence, outstanding

scholarship, and professional

achievement have merited special

recognition both within and

outside the midwifery profession.

The ACNM Fellowship program

was established in 1994 and there

have been 204 ACNM members

thus far inducted.

Sharon Bond (pictured left) was inducted as a fellow into the

ACNM in June 2013.


Teresa W. Atz, MSN, RN joined the

College of Nursing as an assistant

professor. Ms. Atz began her career at

MUSC as a research nurse for pediatric

cardiology at MUSC Children’s Hospital

working with the National Institutes of

Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood

Institute’s Pediatric Heart Network. Her research interest

focuses on parents of pediatric research participants,

specifically their transition experiences after the conclusion

of their child’s clinical trial. Ms. Atz received a Bachelor of

Science in Nursing from Salem State College and a Master

of Science in Nursing with a specialty in nursing education

from MUSC where she is currently a PhD candidate.

Kathleen Cartmell, PhD was appointed

assistant professor and a junior research

scientist in the College. She has

expertise in mixed methods research,

public health intervention strategies

and cancer survivorship. Her primary

research interests are to identify optimal

strategies for the implementation and dissemination of

effective public health interventions and to develop and test

interventions to enhance the delivery of patient-centered

cancer care. She is currently the principle investigator on

a statewide project funded by the South Carolina Cancer

Alliance to disseminate patient-centered standards of

cancer care. She received her undergraduate degree from

the College of Charleston, a master’s degree in public health

from the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health

and a PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from the

MUSC College of Health Professions.

The College welcomed Kahlil

Demonbreun, DNP, RNC-OB, WHNP-

BC, ANP-BC, as an instructor and

women’s health nurse practitioner. He

earned his bachelors degree, as well as

a Master of Science in Nursing from the

University of South Carolina. In 2012, he

received a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from MUSC.

Dr. Demonbreun holds board certifications as a women’s

health nurse practitioner, an adult nurse practitioner, and

an inpatient obstetric nurse. Active on both a state and

national level, Dr. Demonbreun serves on the American

Association of Nurse Practitioners State Advisory Sub

Policy Committee, the South Carolina Board of Nursing’s

Advanced Practice Committee, the South Carolina Nurses

Associations Advanced Practice Registered Nurse chapter,

and is an item writer for the Women’s Health Care Nurse

Practitioner national certification exam with the National

Certification Corporation. His clinical practice includes

primary care, obstetric, gynecologic, and prenatal care of

women across the lifespan. Dr. Demonbreun is dedicated

to clinical education and received the 2013 South Carolina

Area Health Education Consortium Preceptor of the Year.

Elizabeth Harmon, DNP, RN, CCRN,

joined the faculty as an instructor in

the DNP program. An American Nurses

Credentialing Center (ANCC) certified

family nurse practitioner, Dr. Harmon’s

interests include adherence issues

and primary care. During her master’s

program she was awarded a Rural Health Fellowship

and she continues to work with rural and underserved

populations. She maintains a clinical practice at Palmetto

Primary Care. Dr. Harmon earned a Bachelors of Science in

Nursing degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania,

and both a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of

Nursing Practice from MUSC.

Shannon Hudson, PhD, RN, CCRN

was appointed as an instructor and a

junior research scientist. In addition to

her role in the College, Dr. Hudson has

received funding to work with the Care

Coordination Institute where she is being

trained in Healthcare Lean Six Sigma and

has achieved her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. She is certified

as a pediatric critical care nurse through the American

Association of Critical-Care Nurses. She received a Bachelor

of Science in Nursing from the University of North Florida

and a PhD in Nursing from MUSC. Dr. Hudson’s research

interests center on the care of children with medical

complexity and in rural disparities in access to care among

children with medical complexity.

Whitney Smith, MSN, APRN, ANP-C

joined the faculty as an instructor in the

Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology

from the University of South Florida,

and a Bachelor of Science and Master

of Science in Nursing from MUSC. She

is certified by ANCC as an adult nurse practitioner, and

has experience in geriatric medicine, primary care, and

women’s health. Her interests include chronic illness

management, age related illnesses, and wellness promotion.

NeW FaCULty

V

Focus on Faculty


After 35 years of training the

next generation of nurses,

Peggy Spain, MSN, APRN,

FNP-BC retired from her faculty

role in August. During her

tenure in the College of Nursing

she witnessed many changes.

She recounted some of those

changes and shared her fondest

memories with Lifelines.

What are some of the transitions you’ve witnessed in the programs and students in the College of Nursing? i came to the College of nursing in January 1978 and taught in the fundamentals of nursing Department, teaching the initial nursing courses for the sophomore nursing students in our baccalaureate program. at that time, Bsn students entered as freshman, living at the alumni House, taking their first year’s classes at the College of Charleston and starting their clinical courses sophomore year. there were very few married or male students. By the early 1980s, we transitioned to a sophomore entry with students taking their final three years of coursework here. over the next decade, this would change again when students completed all of their basic and social sciences at another college, then entered our program as juniors to earn their nursing degree. Demographics also changed with students entering the program often older with more married and male students. students lived off-campus as student housing was no longer available. finally, this program evolved into the current accelerated curriculum.

How did your role change over the years? in the mid 1990s, i joined other faculty to “retool” as we called it and entered the family nurse practitioner program. During that time, i completed my clinical hours in a rural setting, commuting several hours each way. this experience helped me appreciate the importance of this role for primary health care in south Carolina and allowed me to expand my nursing practice in a more independent way. Later, i served as faculty in the family nurse practitioner track.

What are some of your fondest memories?My fondest memories have been the rich relationships that i have developed with colleagues and students over the years. i often celebrate birthdays and special events with my original fundamental colleagues. We have given countless bridal and baby showers for our children and ourselves. My fondest practice memories include an interdisciplinary practice in an elderly apartment building from 1998 to 2002, and my many years at MUsC employee Health services. Both sites provided wonderful opportunities for np student learning and interprofessional collaboration. i feel honored to have spent my life teaching students of all levels about my passion. i have been blessed to see my many students and my children achieve their professional goals. some of my former students are now taking over the leadership of the Dnp courses and i believe this program will continue to grow in strength under the direction of these very experienced and talented nurse practitioners. Wherever i travel in the Carolinas and to conferences, i frequently encounter my former students and i am proud of their many professional accomplishments.

What are your plans for retirement?i am looking forward to spending more time with my grandchildren and other family members. i will stay active in nursing practice, but on a less demanding scale. My husband and i are anticipating more travel and leisure time. We will begin with a late september trip to Hawaii and a stop in the Grand Canyon on our way back east. and perhaps, another trip to spain may be in

our future plans as well.

reFLeCtioNs oN a reWarDiNG Career

V

Left to right: faculty members Barbara edlund, Peggy Spain and Ann hollerbach.

Peggy (left) and Ann hollerbach taught a fundementals of nursing class in the late 1970s.

Peggy looks forward to spending time with her family.


Student Spotlight

raynor selected for minority fellowshipThe National Advisory Committee of the Substance

Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s

(SAMHSA) Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) with the

American Nurses Association (ANA) appointed Phyllis

Raynor, PhD student, to this fellowship for the 2013-

2014 academic year.

The purpose of the Minority Fellowship Program

(MFP) is to reduce health disparities and improve health care outcomes of

racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the number of

culturally competent behavioral health professionals available to under-

served populations in the public and private nonprofit sectors. The MFP

closely aligns with the Affordable Care Act and SAMHSA’s Eight Strategic

Initiatives by addressing the current and projected behavioral health

workforce shortages and the need to train providers on recovery-based

practices. About 120 MFP Fellows are trained in an average year.

Ms. Raynor is actively working towards becoming a public health

nurse scientist focusing on research, prevention, public advocacy, and

health promotion initiatives for low-income minority families affected

by substance use disorders (SUD). She is concurrently pursuing both

her PhD in Nursing, and advanced practice certification as a psychiatric

mental health nurse practitioner at vanderbilt University. Her disserta-

tion research is focused on the development of self-care interventions for

parents recovering from SUD with a goal of improving their long-term

recovery outcomes and the health outcomes of their children.

As a former state level nurse consultant partnering with school

nurses in all school districts in South Carolina, Ms. Raynor was part of a

school nurse leadership team that addressed alcohol and drug misuse in

schools. She also witnessed the devastating effects of addiction for nurses

involved in substance misuse situations while serving as a practice con-

sultant for the South Carolina Board of Nursing. She explains, “One of the

top violations against the Nurse Practice Act involves narcotics misuse.”

In addition to these professional roles, Ms. Raynor has volunteered as

a recovery support advocate, nurse educator, and health consultant for

over 13 years in a faith-based community support program collaborat-

ing with various community and faith leaders to assist recovering adults

(many of whom are parents) affected by SUD. She is a current member of

the Board of Advisors for three residential faith-based recovery support

community centers for adult men and women recovering from SUD.

“I am thrilled to have this wonderful opportunity awarded to me by the

SAMHSA MFP,” Ms. Raynor said. “It would not have been possible without

the tremendous support I have received from all of the MUSC nursing

faculty who continue to guide and keep me abreast of enriching pro-

grams like the SAMHSA MFP that foster my long-term research career.

I am looking forward to the additional training in my field, and the sup-

portive peer and professional network with multidisciplinary leaders who

share my commitment and passion for eliminating health disparities and

improving the lives of vulnerable families affected by mental health and

substance use disorders. I am truly grateful.”

stUDeNt aCCoLaDes

V

Mcdevitt elected president of student professional society

Katie McDevitt, Acclerated

BSN student, has been

elected president of MUSC’s

Student Interprofessional

Society (SIPS).

SIPS is a campus-wide

student group dedicated to

promoting the concept of interprofessional

education on campus, in the community,

and in practice after graduation. As future

health care professionals, students at MUSC

are expected to collaborate successfully

with a wide spectrum of people outside

their specialty. SIPS coordinates a variety

of community service and social events

designed to help students of all six MUSC

colleges learn from, with, and about each

other. Through such interaction, it is hoped to

improve interprofessional collaboration and

thus patient care and outcomes. Membership

is open to all students.

student to student mentoring leads to marriageWhen new students begin the Accelerated

BSN program, they have hundreds of ques-

tions that often are best answered student to

student.

When Ashley Gallman, Class of December

2013, arrived on campus he was assigned

Ellen Cary, Class of May 2013, as his men-

tor. Less than a year later, the two became

engaged and were married in August.

Currently Mrs. Gallman is working on a

pediatric unit at MUHA and enrolled in the

DNP program. Mr. Gallman will graduate in

December and hopes to secure a position in a

local ICU unit.


students see redCollege of Nursing Accelerated BSN students

and the College of Health Professions anesthe-

sia for nurses (AFN) program nurses teamed

up for a summer blood drive with the Ameri-

can Red Cross on July 17. The blood drive was

a huge success with 40 units of blood donated,

surpassing their goal of 30 units.

Aaron Waters (ACC BSN ’08) and current

AFN student, led the effort and worked closely

with Michael Occhipinti, College of Nursing

Student Government Association President

and Laney Purser, College of Nursing Student

Nurses Association President.

“Since the AFN students and BSN students

are enrolled as full-time students during the

summer, and there was no official sponsor for

a blood drive at MUSC during the summer, our

collaboration made perfect sense,” Mr. Waters

said.

“The Red Cross had issued an emergency

request for blood donation to avert a shortage.

Blood donation provides health care profes-

sionals with a valuable resource for saving

lives in our community. A single pint of blood

can save up to three lives,” Ms.Purser said.

fountain wins national essay contestIn March 2013, Jacob Fountain, Accelerated BSN student, won

the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Careers in Nurs-

ing “What do you believe about nursing?” essay contest. This

national essay contest asks nursing students to share a personal

story about why they want to become a nurse, what they have

learned, who inspired them or what they want to contribute

to the profession. Below is Mr. Fountain’s response of why he

dreamed of becoming a nurse.

personal philosophy of nursing by Jacob Fountain

“one turns to me his appealing eyes—poor boy!

i never knew you. yet i think i could not refuse

this moment to die for you, if that would save you.”

-Walt Whitman, from The Wound-Dresser

Nursing is the ultimate culmination of art and science. As nurses,

we must be diligent students, learning the manifestations of disease

and how to treat their effects on the body, while simultaneously

comforting our patient, and judiciously advocating on their behalf.

Nursing blends together seemly diverse areas, the extremely

technical psychomotor tasks with the art of quick complex

clinical judgment. I believe that nurses must strive to be the most

competent, sound and greatest clinicians they can be, not for their

own personal gain, but because they want to provide the greatest

level of care for their patients.

Walt Whitman served as a nurse during the Civil War, and his

quote reveals the great empathy he had for the young soldiers for

whom he cared. This empathy for our patients is one of nursing’s

greatest strengths, and most taxing elements. We try to do

everything in our power to help our patients, while balancing our

own lives and responsibilities. Nurses are inextricably linked to

our patients in a complex caregiver relationship, where we try to

support our clients and their families, while still maintaining our

professional demeanor and composure. I believe the values of a

great nurse are compassion, diligence, integrity and selfless service.

We are compelled to be a pillar of strength for all of our patients,

to the elderly man who realizes he has a terminal cancer, to the

Vietnam veteran still trapped within the prison of his own mind.

Nursing is the perfect venue for me to continue my own service

to others. As a soldier I felt compassion for fellow service members

regardless of personal differences, as a nurse cares for their patients

without hesitation. This dedication to others by service was an

important value stressed to me throughout my time in the military,

and will continue to be a guiding principle in my nursing career.


Student Spotlight

the College of Nursing recognized 12 first honor graduates during commencement exercises in May 2013. the honor is presented to students who have maintained a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average. Congratulations to the following graduates.

Meagan Denise Kirkley, ACC BSN

Mary Reames Rinehart, MSN

Kathleen Laird Brown, DNP

Donna G. Buist, DNP

Diana Cizmadija, DNP

Sara Kramer-Wallace, DNP

Evelyn Dannette Porter, DNP

Kristen McDaniel Poston, DNP

Anna Derrick Smith, DNP

Amber Lee Watson, DNP

Kate Imperial White, DNP

“As a BSN alumna I appreciated the level of professionalism and support offered by the

faculty and staff at MUSC. This combined with the University’s excellent reputation were key

factors in my decision to attend MUSC.”- SARA KRAMER-WALLACE, DNP GRADUATE

“I looked for a program that would give me the opportunity to enhance my career as well as allow me to continue to work while going back to school. MUSC was a perfect fit because of the online combined program of a MSN and DNP degree. I was able to continue working and living in Ohio and at the same time finish my master’s and doctoral degree in eight semesters.”- DIANA CIzMADIJA,

DNP GRADUATE

May 2013Convocation

“I knew the DNP degree would help me develop my ability to improve the overall

health of South Carolinians.”- ANNA SMITH,

DNP GRADUATE


[ 1958 ]Eunice Driggers Fuller, Diploma ‘58,

and husband had a wonderful day

representing

the class

of 1958 at

their 55th

reunion at

Golden Grad

Day on May

16, 2013.

[ 1958 ]Laura Jo Grissom Summey, N’61,

reports with great sadness that her

son, Reverend Charles E. Summey,

Jr., passed away on July 27, 2013 in

Simpsonville, SC.

[ 1982 ]Ginger Breedlove, CNM ’82, was

installed as the 26th president of the

American College of Nurse-Midwives

(ACNM). After serving one year as

president-elect, she will serve a three

year term as ACNM president. Dr.

Breedlove is a professor of graduate

nursing at the Eleanor Wade Custer

School of Nursing at Shenandoah

University in Winchester, vA.

Exciting changes came to Susan

Walker Wise’s, BSN ’82 in 2013.

After more than 15 years of letting

her nursing

license

expired to

raise four

children,

the state

of virginia

reinstated her

licence this

past spring.

Although she

loved being a mom, she is looking

forward to working as an RN again.

More good news came on May

24, 2013, when Mrs. Wise and her

husband, David, became grandparents

for the first time. She says grandson

Orion David is a joy to be around.

[ 1986 ]Suzanne Prevost,

MSN ’86, is the

new dean of the

University of

Alabama’s Capstone

College of Nursing

in Tuscaloosa. Dr.

Prevost was formerly the associate

dean for practice and community

engagement and a nursing professor

at the University of Kentucky College

of Nursing, a position she held since

2008.

[ 2007 ]Katherine Miller,

MSN ’07, has been

appointed chief

nursing officer at

Clarendon Health

in Manning, SC. Ms.

Miller was also a

recipient of the Palmetto Gold in 2008.

[ 2008 ] Since graduating Marc Jasek, MSN

’08, served for four years as a primary

care clinic director for a population

of about 7,500 active duty sailors,

marines and their family members

at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan.

While there he established the first

patient centered medical home on

the island, and became interested in

sexual assault nurse examination.

After training, he became one of the

leading examiners on the island. In

July 2012, he transferred back to the

US and is currently stationed at the

Naval Hospital Pensacola where he

is assigned primarily to the Internal

Medicine Clinic, but also rotates

through other primary care clinics

including family medicine and

pediatrics. In September, he was

promoted to full Commander—a big

milestone for his 24 years of military

service.

[ 2009 ]Caroline Mitchell, BSN ‘09 was

accepted into Florida Gulf Coast

University’s CRNA program and will

begin in January 2014.

[ 2010 ]Michael Bachmeyer, BSN ’10, has

been accepted into the nursing

anesthesia program at the University

of South Carolina in Columbia.

Amy Painter, MSN ’10, is working as

the aerodigestive nurse practitioner

and coordinator at Children’s

Healthcare of Atlanta where she is

helping to start a new interdisciplinary

division to care for children that have

diseases crossing between their GI,

pulmonary, and ENT systems.

[ 2011 ]Danielle Nowakowski, BSN ’11,

received a DAISY Award in February

and was recognized for nursing

excellence due to her compassion,

caring, and genuine warmth.

Elizabeth Roehner, BSN ’11, was

recognized for her nursing excellence

by receiving a DAISY Award for

her remarkable compassion and

professionalism.

[ 2012 ]Jessica Chepa, MSN ’12, is working

at Coastal vascular and vein Center

in Charleston where she cares for

patients with PAD, carotid stenosis,

aortic aneurysms, end stage renal

disease, venous disease, and

numerous post-amputation patients.

CLass Notes

V

Alumni Connections


The high volume of amputations

performed by her practice each year

prompted her to become co-chair of

the Lowcountry Chapter of Save a Leg,

Save a Life Foundation (SALSAL). As

co-chair, Ms. Chepa hopes to bring

awareness to the community and

develop the Lowcountry Chapter into

a huge asset for SALSAL. In addition to

her work with SALSAL, she continues

to stay involved with the College of

Nursing by serving as a preceptor for

nurse practitioner students.

In September Ashleigh McCall,

BSN ’12, completed a RN residency

program at the Ralph H. Johnson vA

Medical Center in Charleston and is

now a permanent, full-time nurse on

the medical/surgical floor.

[ 2013 ]Hayne Clifton, BSN ’13, is working in

the MICU at Palmetto Health Richland

in Columbia, SC.

April Dove, BSN ’13, is working

at Palmetto Health Baptist on a

progressive care unit with telemetry.

Ms. Dove was found to be a match

to a woman in need of a bone

marrow transplant and donated bone

marrow through a new process called

apheresis. She reports, “I definitely

think this a good way to start my

nursing career.”

Michelle Mejia, BSN ’13, is currently

enrolled in the College of Nursing’s

Doctor of Nursing Practice program

and was also hired on the Meduflex

team.

[ passages ]Jean Boyd O’Neal Cashion, ‘47

June 18, 2013 | Florence, SC

Mildred Lundy Jones, ‘48

May 29, 2013 | Conway, SC

Mildred Wall Weber, ‘48

August 17, 2013 | Anderson, SC

Allison Cantley Simmons, ‘61

August 6, 2013 | Kingstree, SC

Send us your news

you make us proud so let us share your achievements and accomplishments

—personal or professional— in Lifelines.

send us an update—whether it is about a new job, a promotion, an award or even a new family member—

and we would love to include it in our next issue.

send news and photos to:(include your name, degree and class year)

jo smith, Lifelines editorMUsC College of Nursing

99 jonathan Lucas st., MsC 160Charleston, sC 29425

or via the web at www.bit.ly/CoN-class


I worked in the nursing profession for 52 years and have always been

thankful that I graduated from the Medical College of South Carolina

(MCSC)*. It has been a most rewarding life. I am the ninth of eleven

children, and was married for 61 years to Eddie Adeimy. I have three

daughters, nine grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and one great-

great grandchild. I now live in a continuing care community in Laurinburg,

NC and serve as chair of the Health Care Committee.

I entered nursing school at the MCSC in January 1941, graduated in

March 1943, passed state boards in October 1943, but did not complete

all of my services until January 1944. War was declared in December 1941

and that changed many things. Our classes were “stepped-up” as there

were rumors of drafting nurses. Miss Andell decided to push us all through

theory in two years so that if we were drafted we would not have to come back for any classes.

The advances in medicine over the years have been miraculous. When I entered nursing school the country was still recovering

from the Great Depression. If my memory serves me, there was no tuition charged, I only had to buy my books and uniforms that

included black hose and black shoes.

Miss Andell was the director of nursing. Miss Chamberlain was the educational director, while Miss McDowell served as the

nursing arts instructor. Miss Chamberlain was our “guiding star.” She lectured us on how to conduct ourselves at all times. Miss

McDowell would peep around the screens on the wards to check to see how well we were following her instructions.

During our “preliminary” period we lived in the main Nursing Home. Miss

Andell, Miss Chamberlain, and Miss McDowell all lived on the first floor, while

we lived on the second and third floors. Our study hours were from 7 to 9

pm. You could have heard a pin drop during that time. We could not make or

receive phone calls or anything during our study period.

The first six months were intense with nursing arts and other classes.

We walked across the street to the Medical College for many of our classes.

After these six months, we were periodically assigned to the different

services – three months on medical, three months on surgical, three months

on obstetrics, etc. If we were on night duty, we moved to night quarters.

We worked from 9 pm until 7 am, seven days a week for three months and

there were no nights off. For day duty, we worked 10 hours, but either had a

morning or afternoon break. We never had a whole day off, but we had one

afternoon off a week. Bed check was at 10 pm. Once a month we were entitled to an 11 pm bed check. At the time we thought

nothing of these hours and the fact that our labor was paying our way through school.

There were no disposables. We boiled our needles and checked them for spurs. We made our IV packs and autoclaved them. We

washed, powdered and packaged gloves to be sterilized. Our solutions were autoclaved, mixed with glucose, etc. all at the bedside.

To give a pre-op, the solution was boiled in a spoon over a little burner. Sulfa drugs were the treatment of choice. I didn’t give my

first dose of penicillin until after I became a registered nurse. It was in use in the early 40’s but only available to the military.

I spent a lot of my time in school in the clinics at the Medical College. Dr. Rasmussen taught us anatomy and Dr. Eddie Parker

taught us bandaging. I made a perfect score of 100 on all anatomy tests, but only a 75 on bandaging. I am left-handed and Dr.

Parker and I could not agree! There was no recovery room. If a patient needed oxygen, a tent was placed over the bed. During this

time I watched as the piles were driven to build the new Roper Hospital and Baruch Auditorium. At graduation I received an award

for being the “most practical nurse” in my class.

After reading my story, I am sure you will have to agree that I have been very blessed during these 90 years.

* The Medical College of South Carolina became MUSC in 1969.

the Way We Were 70 years aGonursing school memories of a 1943 MUsc grad by Eleanor Shealy Adeimy

eleanor (Shealy) Adeimy, diploma ’43, (pictured right) enjoyed getting reacquainted with old friends and classmates when she traveled

with her daughters, Nancy and dorothy, to Charleston to attend the Golden Grads festivities during this year’s commencement exercises.

Alumni Connections

“Over the years, we have always been proud of our mother’s

excellent nursing skills and great common sense advice. Even now

my husband tells me to “call your mother–she’ll know what to do.”

- DoRotHy tAyloR


~ Golden Grads 2013 ~ Celebrating, reuniting and inducting our distinguished alumni who graduated 50 years ago.

4th floor

5th floor

Backside of building

Lobbyrenovated building

scheduled to Re-open

January 2015!

The College of Nursing Renovation is well

under way!

Lead "architect"

Office bathroom


“No person was ever honored for what he received, but for what he gave.”

- Calvin Coolidge

Lines of Life

Only one obstacle stood between tiffany Williams and her doctoral degree: Paying to put herself and her teenage daughter through college at the same time.

today, thanks to a scholarship, tiffany holds a Doctor of nursing Practice degree from the MUSC College of nursing and works as an instructor in the same building where she once studied. She brings to her students 22 years of experience in pediatric nursing and a passion for working with obesity prevention, teen parenting and special-needs patient care.

the MUSC College of nursing has provided South Carolina with the finest education, research and medical care since 1883. the college relies on scholarships to ensure that it attracts top students like tiffany.

a Charitable Gift annuity (CGa) provides a fixed income, plus valuable tax savings. Funding a scholarship with a CGa also helps ensure that the most qualified students, no matter their financial circumstances, attend the College of nursing.

For more information on supporting students like tiffany with a charitable gift annuity, please contact laurie Scott at [email protected] or (843) 792-8421.

Make a gift that helps one person help Many

NON-PROFITUS Postage

PaiDPermit # 293Columbia, SC

99 Jonathan Lucas StreetMSC 160

Charleston, SC 29425-1600

Educating and inspiring nurses to become leaders of tomorrow through Accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP and PhD programs.

The College of Nursing is on the cutting edge of nursing education, research, and practice. It shines in the use of innovative technologies to enhance learning, including our dynamic online programs of study. Most importantly, our nursing graduates assume leadership roles throughout the state and beyond and actively shape the health care of tomorrow.

Changing What’s Possible in Nursing Education www.musc.edu/nursing

OnlineE x C E L L E n C E

TOP 20 BESt OnLinE Gr aduatE

nurSinG PrOGr aM by US News & World Report

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Lifelines Fall/Winter 2013

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