A Message from Interim Dean Patricia Liehr | |
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Dear students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the college,
I am honored to be your interim dean as we begin a new academic year that holds much promise for academic, research and practice accomplishments. We are just weeks away from the start of the fall semester on Saturday, Aug. 17.
We are beginning the new year with a major achievement. The college received a 10-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This accomplishment has demanded engagement from everyone connected to the college. I thank you for this commitment to excellence.
We are near the completion of a new state-of-the-art Simulation Center on the Boca Raton campus, and we have also completed a comparable new center on the Davie campus. These facilities, supported by our generous donors, will add strength to our academic endeavors in the coming year.
Our research office, with a full staff of support, is enabling ongoing contributions to nursing science by faculty members who are focusing on vulnerable populations, like older adults with cognitive impairment and those living with environmental challenges that impact their health and well-being. We are ready to support new faculty who have joined the college family as they begin their scholarly journey with us.
Nursing practice is the foundation of who we are as a college, and we intend to make a difference for those in our care. All of us, regardless of our way of committing to the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, have a place in “making a difference”. As we begin this year, our community outreach through our Memory and Wellness Center and our Community Health Center positions us to contribute to health and well-being in a way that is experienced by entire families and by whole communities. This is good, exciting work, bringing to life the caring philosophy that grounds our nursing practice.
So, you can see why I am honored to serve as interim dean. I welcome all of you to actively engage with us as we create this new academic year.
Go Owls!
Interim Dean Patricia Liehr
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FAU College of Nursing Celebrates Summer Graduates | |
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Congratulations, summer graduates! The College of Nursing's Summer 2024 commencement ceremony took place on Aug. 6 on the Boca Raton campus. Families and friends of the Second-Degree Part-time BSN graduates joined interim Dean Patricia Liehr, College of Nursing Advisory Board Chair Melissa Leamon and board member Ann Brown for the Pinning Ceremony held before commencement. In opening remarks, Dean Liehr described her experiences as a nurse during times of need and urged graduates to be caring and compassionate with their patients. She said nurses, the most trusted health care providers, are privileged to walk with others as they face the most difficult times of their lives.
The following students received Pinning Awards at the ceremony: Mia Wilburn, Caring Award; Lara Thorpe, Clinical Excellence Award; Mia Wilburn, Leadership Excellence Award; and Twila Boyd, Daisy Award.
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FAU and College of Nursing Support Annual Broward County Back-to-School Drive | |
Florida State Representative Patricia Williams will hold her annual back-to-school distribution event on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Charles Drew Elementary Magnet School in Pompano Beach. Together with other Florida Atlantic University colleges and the Office of Government Relations, the College of Nursing is gathering donations of much-needed school supplies. Representative Williams, a strong supporter of educational access and issues, represents District 98 in Broward County. | |
Welcome Accelerated BSN Students to Davie! | |
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The College of Nursing was pleased to welcome a cohort of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated (BSN) track students during an orientation session on Florida Atlantic's Davie campus on Aug. 7. The students are the first to participate in the track in Davie.
This track is specifically designed for students with a baccalaureate degree in another field who intend to become a Registered Nurse. This limited-access program is a fast track to a professional nursing career. It is an intensive, four-semester program of full-time academic study for motivated individuals who are looking for a challenging and stimulating career in nursing.
“The presence of our Accelerated BSN track in Broward County will allow us to engage and educate more students,” stated Michelle Broadbent, D.N.P., assistant dean for Undergraduate Programs and clinical assistant professor. “This is a wonderful opportunity to offer this track at both the Boca Raton and Davie campuses, as well as prepare and train the next generation of nurses. Our nursing students are helping to fill the region’s growing nursing shortage, and they are providing much-needed care in our South Florida communities and beyond.”
Other upcoming orientations:
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Thursday, Aug. 8, Accelerated BSN Orientation, Boca Raton campus
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Thursday, Aug. 15, MSN Orientation, virtual
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Friday, Aug. 16, Freshman Direct Admit Orientation, Boca Raton campus
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Our Freshman Direct Admit track is a full-time, four-year program for currently enrolled high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Join the virtual information session on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 3 to 4 p.m. to learn more. Click here to register.
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An Accelerated BSN track information session will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. This limited-access, four-semester program is a fast track to a professional nursing career. Sign up for the event here.
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The RN-BSN track will hold an informational session on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 2 p.m. This track is for applicants who have completed a diploma or associate's degree nursing program at an ACEN-accredited institution, possess an unencumbered RN license in the state of residence, and seek to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Click here to register.
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Florida Atlantic University will host its annual Freshman Convocation on Friday, Aug. 16, at 4 p.m. in the Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium on the Boca Raton campus. The event formally welcomes freshmen to the beginning of their academic career and represents Florida Atlantic's commitment to its newest learners. Students must bring their Owl Card or Event Pass from Owl Central to check in. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. Learn More
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Classes start on Saturday, Aug. 17. Don't delay, register today! View the FAU Registrar's calendar here to select your fall courses.
Note: Non-degree-seeking students are only allowed to register just prior to the start of each term.
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The Graduate College will host a virtual Graduate Information Session on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 5 p.m. This session will include information regarding financial aid, test preparation and graduate admissions. Learn more and register for the event here.
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Book an appointment today at FAU's Career Center and unlock: free headshots to upgrade your profile; professional clothing to dress for success; guidance on selecting a major; resume reviews to make your application shine; and more! Be sure to follow the center on Instagram for updates on events, services and career tips. You can also check out the latest jobs in Handshake.
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The College of Nursing will host a Graduate Program informational session on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 4 .p.m. The college's doctoral programs are grounded in the philosophy of caring and focus on the integration and application of advanced nursing research for improved nursing practice and the betterment of humankind. Click here to register.
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The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing will host its annual Convocation on Friday, Sept. 27, at 3:30 p.m. in the College of Nursing building, Libby and Harry Dodson Auditorium, on the Boca Raton campus.
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The Graduate College will host its annual open house on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Student Union on the Boca Raton campus. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore over 100 nationally ranked master's, specialty and doctoral programs with flexible options for evening, weekend and online courses, as well as interact with faculty and admissions representatives from all academic colleges. Learn more and register here.
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Student Spotlight: Samantha Leiva Cordova | | |
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Samantha Leiva Cordova, a Freshman Direct Admit student in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, is driven by her aspiration to become a Labor and Delivery nurse and make a transformative impact in the health care field. Her decision to pursue nursing stems from a lifelong interest in health care, which was deeply influenced by her observations of her grandparents’ experiences with nurses in Chile.
A recipient of the Kelly Strul Emerging Scholars, Lamplighter, Support Our Scholars and Bright Futures 75% Scholarships, Samantha is a first-generation student who is resolute in her mission to lead the charge toward a constructive transformation in her nursing journey. “I aim to be a catalyst for positive change,” she remarked. Read More
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Preceptor Spotlight: Alumna Tracy Britcher, '11 | |
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Florida Atlantic University alumna Tracy Britcher, MSN '11, is a highly skilled and compassionate Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) with over 13 years of experience in the health care field. She graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic, where she earned her Master of Science in Nursing.
Currently, Britcher serves as a primary care provider at Midway Primary Care Center in Fort Pierce, Florida. She is affiliated with HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where she collaborates with a dedicated team of health care professionals to provide comprehensive and patient-centered care. Britcher is known for her commitment to improving patient outcomes and her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with her patients.
"I humbly serve my community as a nurse and Nurse Practitioner, and I am honored to add a preceptor to my list!" said Britcher.
In her practice, Britcher focuses on preventive care, chronic disease management and patient education. She is passionate about empowering her patients to take an active role in their health and well-being. Britcher’s dedication to her patients and her profession has earned her a reputation as a compassionate and knowledgeable health care provider.
Outside of her professional life, Britcher enjoys spending time with her family, staying active and participating in community health initiatives.
"Tracy Britcher is a valued preceptor for our graduate students," shared Dr. Nancy Harris, director of NP Programs. "She is an unsung hero, taking many of our MSN-FNP students over the years. She usually takes at least two students each semester for us. She has also facilitated DNP projects there — and she is an FAU College of Nursing grad!"
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Learn an innovative approach to the study of nursing grounded in caring science. The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s new Caring Science Certificate course is a fully online, on-demand program open to nurse educators, nurse leaders and graduate nursing students. Learn more and register here.
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Call for entries! The sixth annual Art of Science contest is now open. The event showcases original images and footage of the inherent beauty in research, scholarship and creative activity across the university. Open to all Florida Atlantic faculty, students, staff and postdocs. The early bird deadline is Friday, Sept. 20. For details and to submit entries, click here.
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Dr. Louise Aurélien Buie attended the 2024 EURAM conference in Bath, United Kingdom, from June 24 – 28. The title of her presentation was, “Using a Caring Ethic in Advocacy Work: Advanced Practice Nurses’ Professionalism in Restrictive State.”
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Dr. Mary Ann Leavitt delivered a presentation on cardiovascular disease at the Abbey of Delray South on July 16, to help educate our local communities about the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
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Last month, the Office of Nursing Research and Scholarship held an inaugural two-day retreat in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s Center for Caring. The newly created team engaged in activities centered around team-building, process improvement and strategic planning.
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During the 2024 Anne Boykin Institute Summer Academy, Dr. Anne Boykin, professor emeritus and first dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, led a tour that focused on the college's history and the feng shui principles that inspired the design of the Boca Raton building. Watch Video
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Faculty, staff and students, check your inboxes for details about upcoming Wellness Sessions led by Dr. Miriam Ismail, a professional development and self-improvement coach, along with Dr. Laurie Martinez. A schedule of August sessions can be found on the college's Events Calendar.
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The University will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2 in observance of Labor Day.
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Save the date for FAU Giving Day 2024! On Thursday, Sept. 19, FAU alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends will be encouraged to make charitable donations to a college or program of their choice, including the College of Nursing, its new Simulation Center, and the Memory and Wellness Center and Community Health Centers. A gift of any amount supports student scholarships, faculty research and programs that impact the South Florida community and beyond.
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The 2024 Association for Leadership Science in Nursing (ALSN) International Conference, sponsored in part by the College of Nursing, will take place Sept. 26-28 in Dallas, Texas. Join leaders in nursing education, administration and research from around the world to discuss current health care challenges. Register Now
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College of Nursing Researchers Receive $25,000 in SEED Funding | |
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Congratulations to Drs. Ali Danesh, Safiya George Dalmida, Debarshi Datta, Hari Kalva, David Newman and Adar Pelah for receiving SEED Funding from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering & Computer Science for their proposal titled, “Machine Learning Analysis & Assessment of a Non-invasive Intervention in Long COVID.”
The project, a 12-month investigation of disease processes and evaluation of treatment for long-term COVID-19, received $25,000 to further their research and aims to analyze data from a historical dataset. Predictive analysis methods developed by Drs. Datta and Newman at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing underlie the study’s application to a static dataset of patients with COVID-19. This can inform a comprehensive extension of time-series dynamics for prognostics and assessment of the efficacy of the proposed intervention using the AI/ML model.
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Welcome to the following new full-time faculty members: Erika Yates, Richard Cowling, Luciene Mendonca-Cali and Danielle Steele Mendez. Andre Williams also joined the College of Nursing on Aug. 5, as an assistant professor in Data Science.
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Dr. Dawn Hawthorne, assistant professor and RN to BSN coordinator, retired from the College of Nursing on August 6, after nine years. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our students and programs!
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Dr. Armiel Suriaga was interviewed for an American Nurse article regarding his research on cannabinoids and what the review and reclassification of marijuana’s status could mean (July 2).
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Invest in our nursing students today to prepare for Florida’s health care needs tomorrow. | |
Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center | | | | |
