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Message from the Dean: The Golden Thread

In This Issue:

Nursing Career Fair

Nursing Students Go Dancing

Staff Spotlight

Moffett Nurse Network Birmingham Paint Party

Nurse Anesthesia Reception Planned

IVMSON hosts Parish Nursing Course

Nominate alumni for the Living Legacy Awards

The Pulse

To stay up to date on IVMSON news between issues of The Pulse, be sure to follow us on our social media sites!

In each issue The Pulse highlights the extraordinary accomplishments of our students, alumni and

faculty, but this month, with Administrative Professionals Day just around the corner, I would like to

focus on the staff of the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing (IVMSON). Throughout our decade of

tremendous growth, we have not only added students, but also added invaluable members to our

support team. Without our extraordinary staff, many of our accomplishments would not be possible.

These individuals are often the first point of contact for prospective and current students, alumni,

friends and the community. We rely on them to embrace Mrs. Moffett’s passion for caring and

service and to perpetuate her legacy through their daily interactions.

Just last month we featured the bittersweet retirement of Beverly Hyche and this month we are

excited to welcome Deanna Smeltzer to the IVMSON family as the Undergraduate Faculty Secretary.

We have also added others throughout the past year, Candy Hughes, Coordinator, Graduate Student

Services, Trisha Stovall, Undergraduate Admission Counselor, Meredith Haas, FNP Department

Secretary and Rhonda Brazil, Secretary, Graduate Programs. These individuals joined an already

exemplary group of individuals who are fervently dedicated to the success of our school and

students. Please see page 2 for a complete listing of our staff.

As we look ahead to the conclusion of another semester, I’m grateful for all of our staff members

who play integral roles in our daily operation. Please join me in thanking these individuals for going

above and beyond in service to IVMSON. If you’d like, post comments on our Facebook page about

our staff members and we will be sure to pass those along—I know they would appreciate hearing

from you.

As always, thank you for your support of IVMSON. We are tremendously blessed with outstanding

students, alumni, parents and friends! I hope that you enjoy this issue of The Pulse and that you will

continue to support us with your prayers, talents and resources. Together, we are educating the

nurses of the future!

Nena F. Sanders, DSN, RN Ralph W. Beeson Dean and Professor

“Caring is the shining thread of gold that holds together the tapestry of life." Mrs. Ida V. Moffett

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IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2012

On Wednesday, March 7 the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing and the Samford University Career Development Center hosted its inaugural Nursing Career Fair. Numerous hospitals from throughout the Southeast participated in the event and students had the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers and advanced degree programs. Thanks to everyone who attended!

School of Nursing Hosts Career Fair for Students

Rhonda Brazil Secretary, Graduate Programs

Meredith Haas Secretary, Family Nurse Practitioner Department

Rosalyn Sewell Coordinator, Clinical Lab, Facilities and Technology

Marian Carter, EdD Director, Graduate Student Services

Tanual Hall Administrative Assistant to the Dean

Deanna Smeltzer Secretary, Undergraduate Programs

Doug Davis Manager of Technical Services

Candy Hughes Coordinator, Graduate Student Services

Trisha Stovall Admissions Counselor

Jackie Davis Secretary, Department of Nurse Anesthesia

Cindy Medbery Coordinator, Student Services

Katie Stripling Director, Advancement and Alumni Affairs

Debbie Duke, RN, BSN Director, Congregational Health Program

Jan Paine, M.Ed Director, Undergraduate Student Services

Gena Sullivan Administrative Assistant to Associate Deans

Tinisha Glenn, JD Contracts Coordinator, Graduate Program

Suzanne Scharf Coordinator, Continuing Education

IVMSON Staff Listing

Accolades, Honors, and Acknowledgments—Alumni and Students

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2012

Nursing Students Go Dancing

Karen Caudle, DNP 2011, has passed the NLN Academic Nurse Educator certification exam and

earned the CNE credential.

Ashley LeCroy, nurse anesthesia class of 2012, had her article, “Small Cell Lung Cancer” accepted

for publication in the International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia.

Emma Perkins, freshman BSN student, has been selected as a Samford Ambassador.

Rowland Ramdass, DNP 2011, was awarded a Students First Grant for his Study Abroad course to

Guyana. Dr. Ramdass teaches at Farmingdale State College in New York, NY.

Heather Rankin, CRNA, MSN 2005, is serving on the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

Public Relations Committee for the year 2012.

Kimberly Rawson, DNP student, has been selected for a poster presentation at the N-OADN 2012

Annual Convention. She will present, “Equipping Associate Degree Nursing Students to Manage

Incivility in the Healthcare Environment” this fall in New Orleans, LA.

Paul Ropp, DNP student, had his article, “Steps to Lowering Blood Culture Contamination Rates in the

E.D.” published in the February issue of Nursing Management.

Donna Williams, DNP 2009, has been selected as the new director of the Itawamba Community

College associate degree nursing program and the associate dean of nursing.

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Ashley LeCroy

Emma Perkins

Hannah Dawson Christy Robinson Taylor Reece

The Samford University women’s basketball team won its second-straight Southern

Conference Tournament title and represented the SoCon in the NCAA Tournament.

The Bulldogs took on Duke in the first round in Nashville, TN.

Three Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing students were a part of this SoCon champion

team, Hannah Dawson, a junior from Shelbyville, TN, Christy Robinson, a

sophomore from Rocky Face, GA and Taylor Reece, a freshman from Hendersonville,

TN. We are so proud of the leadership these students display.

Last season, the Bulldogs qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. This marks the third-straight

season the Samford women's basketball team has earned a bid to a national postseason tournament. In addition to the two NCAA

Tournament bids, the Bulldogs earned a WNIT bid following the 2009-10 season.

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2012

Staff Spotlight

Students tend to get to know our faculty through classroom interaction,

but often times there aren’t as many opportunities to get to know the

staff. This month, in celebration of all of the wonderful things the

members of our team do to serve our school we’re offering you a chance

to get to know them a little better. Can you match the quote below with

the appropriate staff members? Let us know how you do!

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When asked, “what’s your favorite memory at IVMSON?” Who said... 1. “At a Back to school function for the students, the cake I ordered made everyone’s teeth turn blue!”

2. “The FNP faculty/staff held of day of recognition for me. It feels good to know how much I am appreciated and to share

how much I appreciate my co-workers.”

3. “When I walked into the office on my second day of work, I realized that a faculty member had left a box of ‘skins’ with a

note for me to mail them to students for suturing practice. Being new to the medical field, I was somewhat afraid of

what I would find in the box! Needless to say, the skins were not actually REAL.”

4. “Shocking Dean Baur when I tried to bargain to get the nursing students the chance to eat in the Rotunda Club!”

When asked, “how has the nursing profession impacted your life?” Who said… 1. “One of our 2006 BSN graduates took care of me in the ER at Cullman Regional after my horrific car accident in 2007. As

she comforted me and gently picked shattered glass out of my hair, I looked at her through my tears and said, ‘I knew

one of my angels would take care of me one day.’”

2. “I was the health clinic manager for years at Samford. Watching the care and commitment that Stephanie Craig and

Lindy Babb show our student body on a daily basis is inspiring.”

3. “After my delivery with my daughter, an OB nurse came by to talk to me. She had a daughter with Down Syndrome who

was 2 years old. She wasn’t my nurse but on her break she took the time to speak with me. After that, she would drop

by to see how I was doing.”

When asked, “what’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?” Who said… 1. “I have been a preschool Sunday School teacher off and on for most of my adult life. I LOVE little people!!”

2. “I like karaoke and usually win in a contest.”

3. “I am a big Nascar fan go Jeff Gordon #24!”

4. “I like ZUMBA. We need to start a nursing zumba class!!!”

5. “I want to go on a safari in the African bush with my dad one day.”

6. “I love entertainment trivia and finding humor when it’s not obvious.”

7. “I used to swim competitively on a year round swim team through middle school and part of high school.”

A. Rhonda Brazil B. Doug Davis C. Debbie Duke

D. Tan Hall F. Candy Hughes G. Cindy Medbery E. Meredith Haas

Answers: Part 1: H, B, E, C, Part 2: G, F, H, Part 3: F, C, A, H, E, D, B.

H. Jan Paine

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2012

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Accolades, Honors, and Acknowledgments—Faculty and Staff

Jennifer Coleman, PhD, MSN, presented, "The Power of Simulation in Pediatrics: Effect on Confidence & Clinical Reasoning Skills" at

Drexel University's international simulation conference - Simulation in Healthcare: Where No One Has Gone Before in Fort Lauderdale,

FL.

Jill Cunningham, DNP, FNP-BC, presented P.U.R.E. Ministry on March 3rd, 2012 at Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega,

Alabama for the Refresher Parish Nurse Preparation Course.

Tracey Dick, MSN, RN, has passed the NLN Academic Nurse Educator certification exam and earned the CNE credential.

Margie Findlay, PhD, RN, CNE and Jill Cunningham, DNP, FNP-BC, co-presented Children who are Medically Complex in March 2012 for

students enrolled in Project TransTeam at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Project TransTeam is funded by the U.S.

Department of Education to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of personnel who provide services to young children with

disabilities and their families.

Elaine Marshall, MSN, RN has passed the NLN Academic Nurse Educator certification exam and earned the CNE credential.

2012 Parish Nursing Preparation Course

The Basic Preparation for Parish Nurses course was held February 10-11 and March 2-4, 2012 at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference

Center in Talladega, Alabama. Sixteen participants completed the course that culminated with a Commissioning Ceremony and

Blessing of the Hands. This year was a first in offering the program to Health Ministry Lay Leaders as well as two IVMSON senior

baccalaureate students.

The parish nurse course is offered each spring through a cooperative relationship among the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing at

Samford University, Alabama Women’s Missionary Union/Baptist Nursing Fellowship, and Baptist Health System. The course is based

on the standardized core curricula developed through the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, in consultation with the

National League for Nursing and the American Nurses Association. Within a framework of spiritual care and the integration of faith

and health, the parish nurse role focuses on the whole person with an emphasis on health promotion, risk reduction, and disease

prevention.

For more information regarding parish nursing or the Basic Preparation for Parish Nurses course please contact: Debbie Duke, BSN, RN Congregational Health Program Director IVMSON 205-726-4451

Birmingham, alabama

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2012

Upcoming Events for Alumni and Friends

Moffett Nurse Network Visits Carrollton!

We’re mixing it up this year—join us for a pre-Nurses Week Painting Party!

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On Tuesday, March 13 alumni and graduate students in Carrollton, GA gathered for a Moffett Nurse Network Painting Party.

Guests painted their own versions of the Healing Angel and enjoyed food and fellowship with one another. Tremendous thanks to

Julie Weber, BSN 1999, for helping organize such a fabulous event!

Nominate Outstanding Alumni for the Living Legacy Awards

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2012

The Living Legacy Awards will honor distinguished alumni who have made a significant impact on humanity. If you would like to nominate a Birmingham Baptist Hospital or Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing alumnus for this award, please submit his/her name, class year and an description of how he/she has made a difference in the lives of others as well as a photo of the nominee. Please limit submissions to 250 words. Additional information may be requested once nominations are received. Award recipients will be honored at an elegant Gala on October 13. Nominations may be sent to Katie Stripling at kstripli@samford.edu.

If you would like to help with the 90th anniversary plans, please contact

Katie Stripling at 205-726-2265 or kstripli@samford.edu.

Join us for a reception while attending the ALANA Spring Meeting

Join us as we honor those whose “local touch, has a global reach.”

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Celebrate the Dedication of the Dr. and Mrs. Lonnie W. Funderburg O.R.

Thanks to the generous support of alumni and friends, the Operating Room in the Simulation Center will be named for Dr. and Mrs. Lonnie W. Funderburg.

Please make plans to join us for a Dedication Ceremony and Reception Tuesday, April 17, 2012

4:30 p.m. Simulation Center, Bashinsky Field House, Samford University

R.S.V.P. to Katie Stripling at kstripli@samford.edu or 205.726.2265

Dates To Remember

If you have any student, faculty, or alumni awards,

presentations, conferences, scholarships, photographs or

any other announcements, etc. that you would like posted in the next edition of The Pulse,

please send them to kstripli@samford.edu or call 205-726-2265

...to all who participated in providing information for this newsletter.

“Caring is the shining thread of gold that holds together the tapestry of life.” Mrs. Ida V. Moffett

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SPECIAL THANKS

Share Your News!

April 17: Funderburg OR Dedication

April 24: Moffett Nurse Network Birmingham Painting Party

April 27: Awards Day

April 27: Destin Nurse Anesthesia Reception

May 11: Advisory Board Meeting

May 17: Sigma Theta Tau Inductions

May 18: Pinning and Commencement

NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Remember to Follow Us!

Katie Stripling kstripli@samford.edu 205-726-2265

800 Lakeshore Drive

Birmingham, AL 35229

Phone: 205-726-2872

www.samford.edu/nursing

Interested in supporting a particular fund or program at IVMSON? Click

here for a list of ongoing IVMSON needs as well as links to make

a gift online.

Thank you for your consideration!

Have you seen our new look? Visit the newly redesigned IVMSON website at

www.samford.edu/nursing

Do you keep in touch with your classmates? Would your

class like to have a special reunion during the 90th

Anniversary weekend? If so, we need YOU!!

Class agents will play an integral role in the success of the

90th Anniversary. They will serve as a liaison between

IVMSON and their classmates to encourage participation and

provide essential feedback to help ensure that the weekend’s

activities meet the needs of their respective classes.

Each class year needs at least one class agent. Please contact

Katie Stripling if you would be willing to serve in this

important capacity.