Senior BSN students on the Troy Campus went to the 3rd
grade class of Troy Elementary School for a special lesson
on the human body as part of the Alabama Math and Science
Teaching Initiative. Dr. Amy Spurlock was involved in this
endeavor. [More
from the Troy Messenger]
BSN Faculty Dr. Sue Hayden, Dr. Glenda Avery, Dr. Cindy
McCoy, Dr. Amy Spurlock, Shelly Vardaman, and Imani Goodwin
present papers and poster sessions at the 2008 Annual
Conference of the Southern Nursing Research Society.
More
BSN
Faculty Dr. Amy Spurlock presents paper at Second Annual
National Emergency Management Summit in Washington, DC.
More
BSN Faculty Kelli Cleveland reviews article for McMaster
Online Rating of Evidence.
More
Andy Shaw
(BSN '00) completed graduate studies at the University of
Alabama at Birmingham, passed boards, and is now a
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
(CRNA) affiliated with St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham.
Shane Ward (BSN '01) received
her MSN degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the
University of South Alabama in Mobile.
Jasmine
Raley, RN, (BSN '04) received her MSN degree as a Pediatric
Nurse Practitioner from the University of Alabama at
Birmingham.
News from December '07
Nursing doctoral program approved for Troy University Troy University has received formal approval to award its first doctoral degree, as the Alabama Commission on Higher Education recommended TROY for one of two new Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. The commission approved the DNP for Troy University by a 7-3 vote in Montgomery Friday morning. The commission recommended two new DNP programs for Alabama, one for Troy University and a joint DNP program for the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, said the commission’s action is good news for Alabama citizens because it will lead to an improved health-care system. “Our proposal was based on the indisputable need for more nurses in the state at all levels, from the associate’s degree though the doctoral level,” Dr. Hawkins said. “These new programs will help alleviate the nursing shortage in our state.” The TROY Chancellor said the DNP program will provide relief for Alabama’s rural areas, which traditionally face the greatest challenges in providing quality health care. He said Troy University enrolls graduate students from 24 counties in Alabama, and all but one of these counties is designated as a Medically Underserved Area by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Troy University has a great deal of experience in graduate education,” Dr. Hawkins added. “Last year we awarded 3,464 graduate degrees worldwide, more than any other university in Alabama” He added, “We know how to deliver quality graduate education. This is the right thing to do for the people of Alabama—especially in southeast Alabama and the Black Belt.” The next step is to submit the proposal for review by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Faculty Present Research at Sigma Theta Tau International 39th Biennial Convention in Baltimore, MD Nursing faculty from the SON presented research at the Sigma Theta Tau International 39th Biennial Convention, November 3-7, 2007 in Baltimore, MD. The theme for the convention was “Vision to Action: Global Health through Collaboration.” There were nearly 650 oral and poster presentations designed to further professional development for nurses. Sigma Theta Tau International is the honor society for nursing. Faculty who presented research are:
Mrs. Deborah Rushing and Dr. Cindy McCoy presented “Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Mentoring Early Career Faculty.” [photo]
Mrs. Shellye Vardaman and Ms. Imani Goodwin presented “Nursing School: The International Students’ Dream or Nightmare?” [photo]
Mrs. Cathy Maxwell and Dr. Amy Spurlock presented a poster “Comparison of a Rib Fracture Scoring System to Hospital and ICU Length of Stay in Older Trauma Patients.” [photo]
Dr. Cindy McCoy presented “Leading Change in the Curriculum” [photo]
Dr. Amy Spurlock presented a poster on “Creating Support and Participation in Research and Scholarly Activities in a School of Nursing.” [photo]
Lisa Canady, RN, MSN, Named Project Manager Lisa Canady, RN, MSN, a 2006 graduate of the Troy University MSN program in the Nursing Informatics track, has recently been hired as the first Clinical Systems Analyst at Home Care of East Alabama Medical Center. Ms. Canady will be working as the Project Manager for the clinical system implementation in the Hospice Department as well as overseeing the daily operations of clinical systems in Home Care.
News from October '07
Dr. McCoy and Ms. Rushing Present Their Research at the National League for Nursing Education Summit 2007 Deborah Rushing, RN, MSN and Cindy McCoy, RN, PhD attended the National League for Nursing Education Summit 2007 held September 26-29 in Phoenix, AZ. This conference included outstanding paper presentations, workshops, symposia, and posters focusing on nursing education with the theme Evolution or Revolution: Recreating Nursing Education. During the conference Mrs. Rushing and Dr. McCoy presented their research, “Faculty Mentoring: Living a Caring Philosophy,” as a poster presentation. [photo]
News from September '07
Dr. McCoy Named BSN Generic Track Coordinator Cindy McCoy, RN, PhD, Associate Professor of Nursing, was introduced as the BSN Generic Track Coordinator at the fall College of Health & Human Services faculty meeting on August 10, 2007. Dr. McCoy will assist Dr. Bernita Hamilton, Director of the Troy University School of Nursing and the BSN Program Director, with administrative duties for the generic BSN track on the Troy Campus. Dr. McCoy has been a member of the School of Nursing BSN faculty for 10 years. Her educational background is strong in both nursing and instructional leadership. Earned degrees are Associate in Applied Science in Nursing from Wallace Community College (Selma, AL), Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Troy State University, Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Adult Health and Education from Troy State University, Master of Science in Foundations of Education from Troy State University, and Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Leadership with an emphasis on Instructional Technology and doctoral minors in Educational Computer Technology and Educational Research from The University of Alabama. Her service to Troy University includes membership on the Undergraduate Academic Council, the Council of Honor Societies, and the Faculty Council where she was recently elected vice-president. She also is a mentor for START students and new nursing faculty members, serves on the School of Nursing Faculty and Student Affairs Committee, and is a member of Iota Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Dr. McCoy teaches in both the BSN and MSN programs of the School of Nursing. Email Dr. McCoy at cmccoy@troy.edu. [Photo]
Dr. Hamilton Recognized for Outstanding Leadership The BSN faculty honored Dr. Bernita Hamilton at the College of Health & Human Services annual faculty meeting on August 10, 2007 with a plaque of appreciation for her outstanding leadership and her efforts to create a caring academic environment. Dr. Hamilton is Director of the Troy University School of Nursing and is the BSN Program Director. Under Dr. Hamilton’s leadership the School of Nursing has experienced tremendous growth in all areas. Pictured are Judy Bazzell, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Dr. Bernita Hamilton, and Dr. Cindy McCoy, Associate Professor of Nursing. [Photo]
News from August '07
BSN Students Participate in Nurse Externship Program Troy University BSN students recently participated in the Nurse Externship Program at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, AL. This program began in June and lasted for 10 weeks. The nurse externship program offers nursing students an opportunity to get an in-depth look at the nursing field. Under the direction of a registered nurse, nurse externs provide nursing care and services to patients. At the completion of the program, awards were given for various categories of achievement. Saraswati Adhikari was recognized as “Most Reliable and Dependable Extern” and as the “Most Outstanding Extern” of the 2007 program. Sara will graduate at the end of fall semester and plans to continue her education with graduate studies. [Photo]
The School of Nursing held the second Faculty Institute on August 9th at the School of Nursing in Troy. The Faculty Institute is a comprehensive orientation and educational program for nurse educators at Troy University. This program is designed to further the tradition of excellence in teaching, service, and scholarly activities for which the School of Nursing has been known for over 35 years. New School of Nursing faculty members in attendance at the 2007 Faculty Institute were Stacey Jones, RN, MSN, FNP, Assistant Professor, BSN Program, Troy; Carrie Lee Gardner, RN, MSN, FNP, Assistant Professor, BSN Program, Troy; and Cathy Maxwell, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor, RN-BSN/MSN Program, Phenix City. [Photo]
News from Spring '07
Jessica Tadlock Griffin was named the recipient of the Georgia Irene Gill Davis Memorial Award and the Iota Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau Outstanding Student Award for 2007. The Davis Award honors the senior BSN student who best exemplifies excellence in classroom and clinical achievements and interpersonal relationships. The Sigma Theta Tau Award honors Ms. Griffin for demonstrating leadership and scholarship, and achieving the highest GPA in BSN clinical sequence courses during the 2006-2007 academic year. Ms. Griffin is also a member of the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society. Ms. Griffin graduated with the BSN degree at Spring Commencement ceremonies on May 11, 2007. Her hometown is Luverne, AL. Photos
School of Nursing named a Cooperative Site for the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology The International Institute for Qualitative Methodology (IIQM) has named the School of Nursing a multidisciplinary centre for Troy University in recognizing the School's commitment to qualitative research. The International Institute for Qualitative Methodology is an interdisciplinary institute, under the auspices of the Faculty of Nursing, at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The institute was founded in 1998, with the primary goal of facilitating the development of qualitative research methods across a wide variety of academic disciplines. Goals of the IIQM are to provide leadership to address the issues in qualitative inquiry and to facilitate the development of qualitative methods, to promote excellence in qualitative research through education and research, to provide a forum for collaboration among international experts in the field of qualitative inquiry, and to provide a forum for collaboration among international experts in the field of qualitative inquiry. Dr. Amy Spurlock, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Research in the TROY School of Nursing, is coordinating the partnership between the School of Nursing and the Institute.
News from December '06
Student Spotlight on Amber Dodson Congratulations to 2nd semester nursing student and BSN Student Nurses Association member, Amber Dodson. Amber was sponsored by the Student Nurses Association in the Miss TROY University pageant. She placed 2nd runner-up in the overall pageant and was the winner of the Talent Competition. Amber is now the Miss Marshall County 2007 and will be competing in the Miss Alabama pageant in June. [photo]
News from September '06
Student Spotlight: Meet Celeste Sanders Celeste Sanders is a 1st semester sequence student. She served as the Local Program Director for the 31st Pike County Junior Miss program on Saturday, August 19th. The program was held at the Claudia Crosby Theater. Celeste was also the 2003 Pike County Junior Miss. [photo]
News from August '06
The School of Nursing held the first Faculty Institute on Aug. 10th and 11th at the School of Nursing in Troy. Created by Dr. Bernita Hamilton, Director of the School of Nursing, and developed by Dr. Cindy McCoy, Associate Professor, the Faculty Institute is a comprehensive orientation and educational program for nurse educators at Troy University. The Faculty Institute is designed to further the tradition of excellence in teaching, service, and scholarly activities for which the School of Nursing has been known for over 35 years. Future plans for the Institute include expansion to enhance the continued professional growth of all nursing faculty. School of Nursing faculty in attendance at the 2006 Faculty Institute included Shellye Vardaman, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor, BSN Program Troy; Rita Meadows, RN, MSN, FNP, Assistant Professor ASN Program Montgomery; Dana Davis, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor ASN Program Montgomery, Kelli Cleveland, RN, MSN, FNP, Assistant Professor, BSN Program Troy; Djuana Burns, RN, MSN, FNP, Assistant Professor BSN Program Troy; Louise Lusk, RN, MSN, FNP, Assistant Professor BSN Program Troy; Kelly Johnson, RN, BSN, Lab Coordinator, BSN Program Troy; and Debra Lett, RN, MSN, Assistant Professor, BSN Program Troy. [photo]
Five Days in Hattiesburg: Nursing Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina Reflections on Nursing Leadership, published quarterly by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, highlights the work of Troy University BSN senior students in its first quarter, 2006 issue (Vol. 32, No. 1). Twelve remarkable students accompanied by the CHHS Dean and two faculty members offered their time and expertise in helping with the Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in Mississippi. These students received their BSN degrees in December, 2005. The article, one of two feature articles about nurses who responded to assist Hurricane Katrina victims, is available on the Web at www.nursingsociety.org/RNL/Current/features/feature10.html. A photograph of the students and faculty who participated in the Hattiesburg trip can be seen by clicking on Dr. Amy Spurlock's photo at the end of the article. Students participating in the relief effort were featured on the School of Nursing homepage in September, 2005shortly after they returned from the trip to Hattiesburg. Archives of this and other news from the Troy University School of Nursing can be accessed through the SON News & Archives link to the left.
News from June '06
Lauren Rone, BSN student at the Troy Campus, has been awarded the John O. Tucker Scholarship sponsored by the Mobile Infirmary Auxiliary of Mobile. The scholarship provides $2000.00 to be used during Lauren's senior year in the BSN program. Upon graduation, Lauren will be employed by the Infirmary Health System of Mobile. Lauren's selection for the scholarship was based on her grade point average as well as her community service and involvement in student life at Troy University. Lauren will be advancing to her third semester in the BSN clinical sequence this fall. Congratulations Lauren!
News from May '06
Craig Cassady, RN, BSN Receives Award at FACES '06 -- Craig Cassady, RN, BSN won first place for his poster presentation at the Elizabeth Morris Annual Clinical Education Sessions -- FACES '06 conference in Montgomery. This highly competitive award was granted for his poster presentation, Handrubbing with Alcohol vs Conventional Handwashing. Craig prepared the poster as a requirement for an independent studies class in the MSN program at Troy University. With the first place ribbon, he also won $50.00. The conference is sponsored by the Alabama Nurses Association. Mr. Cassady is a 2005 BSN graduate and a recent admission to the MSN program at Troy University. [photo]
News from April '06
Kerry Varner, BSN, RN Receives National Award -- Troy University’s School of Nursing is pleased to announce that Kerry Varner, BSN, RN and December 2005 graduate of our program, has won an Elsevier’s Student Award for Nursing Excellence. This highly competitive annual award is presented to only 10 first place winners throughout the nation. The purpose of the award is to “recognize students who excel beyond academics, who lead by example, and whose commitment and compassion make a difference to patients and healthcare”. With the award, Kerry won $1,000 in professional texts and $1,500 in cash. Kerry was nominated by Dr. Amy Spurlock, who wrote an essay detailing his outstanding student leadership and volunteer experiences in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with his senior class in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Kerry currently works as a Registered Nurse at Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery, AL in the cardiovascular intensive care unit.
Kelly Johnson, RN Named School of Nursing Lab Coordinator -- Kelly Johnson, RN, has joined the School of Nursing as the Nursing Lab Coordinator for the Troy Campus. Mrs. Johnson is a native of Pike County. She and her husband Doug are the parents of two sons, Dylan and Landon. The Johnsons are members of Southside Baptist Church in Troy and are active in all things outdoors including lots of playing, fishing, and going to the beach. Mrs. Johnson's parents are Buddy and Marie Sneed of Pike County. Mrs. Johnson earned her BSN from Troy University in 1997. Following graduation she worked one year at Montgomery's Baptist Hospital South in CVIVE/CVSU. For the past eight years she has worked in the Emergency Room at Troy Regional Medical Center.
News from March '06
The School of Nursing congratulates three outstanding BSN students who were tapped as new members of Chapter 129 of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in February, 2006..
Heather Hayes of Elba
Amy Walker of Brantley
Catherine Wren of Montgomery
Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having completed at least seventy-two hours, are eligible for membership. The Society's mission is "to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." The motto of Phi Kappa Phi is Philosophía Krateítõ Phõtôn, translated "Let the love of learning rule humanity." Because Phi Kappa Phi is made up of the best and brightest from all academic disciplines, it is a community of scholars who are leaving an enviable legacy for future generations.
News from February '06
The School of Nursing welcomes Shellye Vardaman, RN, MSN, who was recently named Assistant Professor in the BSN Program, Troy Campus. Mrs. Vardaman earned the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from The University of Alabama, Capstone College of Nursing. Her Master of Science in Nursing degree with a dual focus in Adult Health and Education is from Troy University's MSN Program. She holds Board Certification in Medical-Surgical Nursing with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is certified by the American Heart Association as a Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Instructor. Mrs. Vardaman is active in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and serves as secretary for Iota Theta Chapter at Troy University. Scholarly contributions to the profession include co-authoring with her husband a paper, "Salary v. Overtime: What Administrators Should Know About the Department of Labor's New Tests," which she will present to the American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences at its 2006 annual meeting in Las Vegas, NV, in February. Mrs. Vardaman is a native Texan and is married to Lee Vardaman, Sr., Director of Human Resources at Troy University. They have two children, Morgan, 7, and Trey, 4. The family enjoys their two basset hounds, Max and Angel, and their cat, Pumpkin. The Vardamans are members of Park Memorial United Methodist Church in Troy where Mrs. Vardaman is Director of the Children's Choir and serves as a volunteer at Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly.. Her hobbies include reading, computers, sewing, and crafts. Mrs. Vardaman will be teaching Medical Terminology (NSG 1105) , Nursing Concepts I Practicum (NSG 3314), Nursing Concepts II Practicum (NSG 3326), and Guided Independent Study (NSG 4493), during the Spring 2006 Semester.
News from January '06
The School of Nursing congratulates LaJaynees (L.J.) Singleton, RN, whose abstract, Exercise & Medications in Diabetic Dyslipidemia, has been accepted for a poster presentation at the 2006 Diabetes Translation and Obesity Conference to be held May 16-19 in Denver, Colorado. The conference is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control's Division of Diabetes Translation and the CDC's Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. The conference will bring together approximately 800 participants from a wide range of local, state, federal, and territorial governmental agencies and private-sector diabetes and obesity partners. Ms. Singleton is a student in the RN to BSN/MSN track, and will proudly represent Troy University at this national conference.
Important message for nursing students regarding LabCorp drug screening: LabCorp will increase rates for drug screening on January 16, 2006. Students who want to receive the current rate should be screened before January 16th. Students who have questions should contact their program director. Troy students who go to Dr. DiChiara's office will not be affected by this change.
News from December '05
ASN faculty Dr. Jan Kimble and Dr. Tina Allen have had their doctoral dissertation research topics accepted for presentation at the 2006 Hawaii International Conference on Education to be held January 6-9, 2006, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The Fall Semester 2005 ASN Class will have their Pinning Ceremony on Thursday evening, December 8, at 7:00 p.m. at Eastmont Baptist Church in Montgomery.
The Fall Semester 2005 BSN Class will have their Pinning Ceremony on Thursday afternoon, December 8, at 27:00 p.m. at the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor on the Troy Campus.
The new ASN Honor Society has been approved by the Troy University Student Government Association. The name of the honor society will be Alpha Psi Nu. Ms. Jean Battaglia and Ms. Mary Battaglia were instrumental in helping students with the organization of the new honor society and will now serve as its advisors. Visit Alpha Psi Nu on the Web!
Congratulations to JOYCE ROGERS, College of Health and Human Services Secretary, for receiving the November Caller Award for her outstanding phone etiquette!
News from November '05
The School of Nursing congratulates four outstanding BSN students who were tapped as new members of Chapter 129 of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi on November 2, 2005.
Garnet Grooms of Enterprise
Laura Jimmerson of Ozark
Amber Self of Townley
Jessica Tadlock of Luverne
Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having completed at least seventy-two hours, are eligible for membership. The Society's mission is "to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." The motto of Phi Kappa Phi is Philosophía Krateítõ Phõtôn, translated "Let the love of learning rule humanity." Because Phi Kappa Phi is made up of the best and brightest from all academic disciplines, it is a community of scholars who are leaving an enviable legacy for future generations.
The School of Nursing welcomes Jennifer Ventura, Clerk Typist II for the BSN Program on the Troy Campus. A resident and native of Banks, AL, Jennifer is married to Nicolas Ventura and is the mother of Brayden who is 14 months old. Jennifer has ties to the medical field and holds certifications for AED (Automated External Defibrillator), CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation), and EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operation Certification). Jennifer and her family are pet lovers with three bulldogs, Jasmine, Baby, and Muneca; and two cats, Gizmo and Sarah. Students and faculty can contact Jennifer in Office 20, Room 18 of Collegeview, the School of Nursing Building on the Troy Campus.
News from October '05
5th Annual School of Nursing Community Health Fair
The ASN Program of the School of Nursing will be hosting the 5th Annual School of Nursing Community Health Fair at Eastdale Mall on Saturday, October 29, 2005, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Nursing students and faculty will be involved in many areas of health screening, including:
cholesterol and diabetes screening
bone density testing
blood pressure measurements
vision screening
nutrition counseling.
Screenings are free to the public. Flu shots will be administered for $15. The planning committee for the health fair is composed of Ms. Judi Cooper, Assistant Professor and Chairperson of the ASN Learning Resource Committee, Ms. Marilyn Leatherwood, Ms. Sharon Hamm-Wilson, Ms. Teresa Johnson, Ms. Mary Grace Crawford, and two School of Nursing staff members, Ms. Sheri Macomber and Ms. Denise Wade. The Health Fair has been a huge success in past years, and it is anticipated that many people will take advantage of the free screenings again this year. A scholarship fund from the proceeds of giving the flu shots has been established, and the first scholarship was awarded last year to a deserving nursing student.
News from September '05
BSN Students Aid in Hurricane Katrina Relief
BSN students in their last semester of study are assisting in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in Mississippi. These exceptional students are offering their time and skills in providing nursing care for patients at Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg, MS. The group is also delivering medical supplies from Troy Regional Medical Center in Troy, AL and Lakeview Hospital in Eufaula, AL to Forest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.
The students are Craig Cassady, Teresa Fryer, Tracey Hall, Paul Kiley, Tammy Kilgore, Leigh Phillips, Hope Scroggins, Christina Szabo, Nancy Tindell, Kerry Varner, Kandace White, and LeAnn Winburn. Faculty accompanying the group are Dr. Amy Spurlock, Carolyn Andrews, and Dr. Don Jeffrey, Dean of the College of Health & Human Services.
Record Enrollment Numbers!
Enrollments in the School of Nursing have reached a record high of 915 students in the associate, baccalaureate, and masters degree programs and tracks for the Fall 2005 Semester. The Associate of Science in Nursing program offered in Montgomery reports 296 students. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing offered on the Troy Campus number 426. Eighty-five Registered Nurses are in the RN to BSN/MSN track; courses for this track are offered online while clinical experiences are completed in facilities near Montgomery, Phenix City, Troy, and Norfolk (VA). The Master of Science in Nursing degree and graduate tracks, also offered online and through live videoconferencing with clinical experiences near Montgomery and Phenix City, have 108 students enrolled fall semester.
News from August '05
The School of Nursing welcomes Allison Oakes in her new position as secretary for both the BSN program and the School of Nursing. Allison just celebrated her first anniversary as secretary with the BSN program in Troy on August 2nd and is a familiar face to students at the Troy Campus. A native of Troy, Allison holds the Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science from Troy University, and is currently completing course work for a second BS degree, this time in Biology Education. Allison's special interest area is genealogy. She is involved in extensive research of the Oakes, Wilkinson, Anderson, and Mason families in the southeastern U.S. Allison is married to Russ Oakes and is the daughter of Gayle Mason who works with the Troy University Office of Development and the Troy University Foundation. Russ and Allison have four dogs: Rat Terriers named Belle and Little Bit, and Beagles named Cagney and Lacey. Allison can be reached at aoakes@troy.edu, phone 334-670-3428, or in her office: 20 Collegeview on the Troy University campus.
News from April-May '05
Honors Day 2005 on the Troy Campus recognized students from the Fall and Spring graduating classes. Ben Tomlin, RN, received the Georgia Irene Gill Davis Memorial Award. This award honors the senior student who best exemplifies excellence in classroom and clinical achievements and interpersonal relationships. Ben graduated in December, 2004, and is employed with Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan. Receiving the Iota Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau Award was Joanna McLaney who will receive her baccalaureate degree on May 6, 2005. Joanna received the Sigma Theta Tau Award for demonstrating leadership and scholarship, and achieving the highest GPA in BSN clinical sequence courses during the 2004-2005 academic year.
The School of Nursing extends congratulations to Dr. Jan Kimble. Dr. Kimble successfully defended her dissertation in March and will graduate in May with her doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Auburn University. Dr. Kimble is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and teaches in the ASN program in Montgomery.
News from April '05
School of Nursing (BSN) Instructor Deborah Shows-Rushing, RN, MSN, recently completed the Southern Gerontological Nursing Certificate Program from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing. While attending the program, Ms. Rushing was recognized for her outstanding participation within the program. She was one of 20 students chosen nationwide for this program which consisted of a geriatric clinical preceptorship, instruction at the UAMS campus, and Web-based learning activities. The program was funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). The School of Nursing congratulates Ms. Rushing for her outstanding leadership in the area of geriatrics. We all are proud of the expertise she brings to Troy's nursing students and the educational community we serve.
News from March '05
Faculty and students in the ASN Program are busy recruiting future nurses. On February 3, Ms. Mary Grace Crawford, Assistant Professor, & Bridget Wilson, an ASN student, attended a Career Fair at Pine Level Elementary School in Prattville and talked to over 500 4th-5th graders about nursing as a career. They distributed brochures as well as textbook covers and CD's that were all about nursing. On April 1, Ms. Mary Battaglia, Assistant Professor, and Ms. Sharon Hamm-Wilson, Nursing Lab Coordinator, will attend the Career Fair at Lanier High School in Montgomery and will have information available about nursing as a profession for over 800 high school students.
Another of our ASN faculty members, Ms. Jan Widell, Assistant Professor, recently recognized the need for patient literature in Spanish at Greil Memorial Psychiatric Hospital in Montgomery. Since Ms. Widell is bilingual, she translated the pamphlet on the Patients' Rights and Advocacy Program to accommodate the needs of Spanish-speaking clients. This endeavor represents positive collaboration between the School of Nursing and a clinical agency for the benefit of both students and clients.
Congratulations to Dr. Tina Allen! Dr. Allen received the Doctorate in Administration & Higher Education degree from Auburn University on August 5, 2004.
News from February-March '05
Dr. Geraldine Allen, Director of the MSN Program, has been selected as an item writer for the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator Examinations. Dr. Allen was also recently appointed by the Alabama Department of Public Health to the Office of Women's Health Steering Committee for the State of Alabama.
Captain Bonita A. Knuckles, a student in the Maternal-Infant Health Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist track of the MSN Program was promoted to Major in the United States Air Force on February 1, 2005. The ceremony, held at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, was attended by Dr. Allen, MSN Program Director. The MSN Program was credited for assisting Major Knuckles as she prepared for this new role.
Ms. Jeanie Eubanks, a 2003 MSN Graduate from the CNS Track (Adult Health/Education) has been appointed the new Director of Nursing for Prattville Baptist Hospital in Prattville, Alabama. She is responsible for daily clinical operations.
News from February '05
Featured Alumnus: Lieutenant David N. Norman
School of Nursing 2003 graduate Lt. David N. Norman is serving our country in a combat support hospital in Tikrit, Iraq. Lt. Norman was Vice President of his graduating class and received the Georgia Irene Gill Davis Award for outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service. After earning his BSN at Troy University, he was stationed at Reynolds Army Community Hospital in Fort Sill, Ok. and from there was deployed from San Antonio, TX, with the 228th Combat Support Hospital. The School of Nursing is very proud of Lt. Norman and we send him our best wishes.
Student Nurses Association Officers for 2004-2005
President, Justin Rigoloso; Vice-President, Kerry Varner; Treasurer, Craig Cassady; Secretary, Malloree Bedsole
News from December '04 & January '05
School of Nursing celebrates 54 new graduates!
Commencement exercises were held Friday, December 10, 2004. The School of Nursing proudly celebrates its 32 ASN graduates, 14 BSN graduates including Holly Carter and Ben Tomlin who graduated Summa Cum Laude and Cum Laude, respectively, and eight MSN graduates. Congratulations to all of you!
Congratulations also to School of Nursing students recently named to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities!
Nick Berry, Kimialeesha Dowdell, Tori Jones, Ben Tomlin, and Bryant Yarbrough
