Florida Atlantic University College of Nursing Demonstrates Community Impact in New Report | |
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The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is pleased to announce the release of its fiscal year 2023-24 Community Engagement report. Highlighting the numerous outreach activities of nursing students, the report also features articles about the extensive volunteer work and philanthropy of the college’s faculty, staff and Advisory Board.
The report also showcases the range and impact of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, as well as the Florida Atlantic University Northwest Community Health Alliance (FAU/NCHA) Community Health Center in surrounding areas. We invite you to read the full report and learn how we are putting caring science into action. Read More
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NAM Selects FAU for Substance Abuse, Opioid Crises Collaborative | |
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As of 2024, approximately 2.7 million Americans aged 12 and older were estimated to have misused prescription opioids in the past year. Moreover, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamines, among other substances, reflect a complex landscape that requires ongoing efforts aimed at prevention, treatment and policy changes to address the various issues associated with each substance.
Florida Atlantic University was recently selected to participate in the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) Action Collaborative on Combatting Substance Use Opioid Crises Core Competency Implementation Pilot Project. To improve coordination and accelerate the pace of change, NAM partnered with more than 80 organizations to form the collaborative. This initiative brings together key stakeholders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to collaboratively address critical issues posed by addiction.
Armiel Suriaga, Ph.D., an assistant professor in FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, will serve as the project lead. FAU joins other implementation sites across the United States in working toward advancing substance use care, workforce competency, and interprofessional education and practice by implementing the Action Collaborative’s 3Cs Framework for Pain and Unhealthy Substance Use, released in 2022. Read More
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Growth from Adversity: How Older Adults Bounced Back from COVID-19 | |
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For older adults living in retirement communities, there has been limited research on how the COVID-19 pandemic and its regulatory measures affected them. Additionally, there is scant research on any potential positive effects for this population.
Now, a new study of 98 older adults (median age 86 years) living in a continuing care retirement community in South Florida during COVID-19 reveals how this population not only bounced back from adversity, but also grew stronger from challenging experiences.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing explored both the challenges and growth experienced by the study participants as framed by “post-traumatic growth” theory, published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing. The late Dr. Elizabeth Force, a former researcher and Abbey South resident, collaborated with college of nursing faculty members who worked with her and initiated the study. Nearly 100 residents participated in the research.
“Post-traumatic growth theory is a concept from psychology describing the positive change that can occur as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances,” said Lenny Chiang-Hanisko, Ph.D., senior author and an associate professor, FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “While trauma and adversity, like a pandemic, can lead to distress and difficulties, this concept suggests that some individuals experience significant personal growth following these experiences.” Read More
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College of Nursing Alumnae Set to Become 2024-25 Advisory Board Chair and Co-Chair | |
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Florida Atlantic University alumna Melissa Emerson, MBA ’18, BSN ’04 (at left), is poised to become chair of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing's 2024-25 Advisory Board on Thursday, Sept. 12. In addition, Rosie Inguanzo-Martin '96, will become the board's vice chair. Both women have previously served on the college's advisory board.
Emerson is the Chief Operating Officer at Bethesda Hospital East & West, Baptist Health South Florida, in Boynton Beach. Emerson focuses on broadening service line growth, strengthening clinical outcomes, improving patient satisfaction and safety, and expanding engagement opportunities for all employees, among her other responsibilities.
During her time at Florida Atlantic, Emerson expressed her gratitude to faculty in College of Nursing for their guidance on her academic journey. They provided her with foundational knowledge and skills that she was able to build upon in her career.
“Receiving my BSN prepared me to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and begin my career as an RN,” expressed Emerson. “I believe the nursing program helped me to be open-minded in my field and remember the ‘why’ behind everything I do as a nurse.”
Inguanzo-Martin is the CEO and co-founder of Allegiance Home Health. She is responsible for providing strategic, financial and operational leadership while closely working with her senior management team.
"As a business owner in the field of nursing and a graduate of FAU, I am grateful to give back to my alma mater," said Inguanzo-Martin. "The nursing program at FAU is exceptional. Specifically, at this time, there is a dire need for nurses in several health care settings. I can confidently state that the nursing students FAU is producing will be an asset to any health care employer.”
Formed in 2012, the advisory board supports the college's exceptional nursing program through advocacy and fundraising efforts. Together with faculty, staff, students and community organizations, the board aims to promote the highest standards in nursing practice. To view a complete listing of this year's board members, click here.
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An Accelerated BSN track information session will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 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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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, Sept. 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. to learn more. Click here to register.
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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 and MSN 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 RN-BSN track will hold an informational session on Thursday, Sept. 19, 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's Graduate College will host a virtual Graduate Information Session on Thursday, Sept. 19, 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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The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing's annual Convocation will be held 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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Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the next AI/ML Club meeting on Monday, Sept. 30, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in NU202. The group will discuss the “Structure and Algorithm of Deep Learning, Large Language Model and Omics Data Analysis.”
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Did you know? FAU's Career Center can help you unlock free headshots, professional clothing to dress for success, guidance on selecting a major, resume reviews to make your application shine and more! The main Career Center is also offering new drop in hours, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to follow the center on Instagram for updates on events, services and career tips. You can also check out the latest hot jobs in Handshake.
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Interested in advancing your studies? Visit the Graduate College’s 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: Abi Little | |
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Abi Little, a junior in the College of Nursing’s Freshman Direct Admit program, is excited to serve as the Student Nurses’ Association president for the 2024-25 academic year.
“I love being a part of extracurricular activities and being able to create and attend social events to foster better relationships with fellow nursing students,” shared Little.
Little already has several goals outlined for the upcoming year. She aims to represent the club at both a local and regional level; be a supportive leader for all club members; act as a facilitator for club activities; and ensure future planning and budgeting is carried out in accordance with the wishes of SNA’s members.
Among the special events SNA has planned for the year include the Florida Nursing Students' Association (FNSA) convention in October, the annual SNA Halloween party, as well as some longstanding activities such as food drives, toy drives and walks for awareness.
“We plan to build our presence in the community further this year,” stated Little.
In addition, SNA hopes to grow the organization. The group always accepts new members and makes it easy to join monthly meetings which are held in person and online. Fall semester meeting dates and times are yet to be determined.
New membership information is posted on SNA’s Instagram with links and instructions on how to join or complete a Google form here.
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Alumna Spotlight: Zahra Rahemi '17 | |
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NIH Awards College of Nursing Alumna $650,000 to Study End-of-Life Decision Making in ADRD Patients
Zahra Rahemi, Ph.D. ‘17, RN, associate professor in the Clemson University School of Nursing, was awarded more than $650,000 in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to examine the end-of-life decision making processes of caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) across minority populations.
The five-year project titled, “Exploring Advance Care Planning Among Older Adults Across Racial, Ethnic, and Cognitive Differences Using Data Science,” will use advanced statistics and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), along with Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and Medicare data, to conduct this research. Results from the study will provide nuanced evidence on the interactions between various factors and racial disparities in end-of-life care for minority older adults with or at risk of ADRD and their caregivers.
“By leveraging advanced data science techniques, this research aims to address critical gaps in end-of-life care for these underserved populations,” shared Dr. Rahemi. “This study highlights opportunities for research and interventions for minority ADRD populations to inform policy and clinical practice that seek to improve end-of-life care via the adoption and implementation of advance care planning.” Read More
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FAU Giving Day 2024 On Thursday, Sept. 19, alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends are encouraged to make charitable donations to a college or program of their choice, including the College of Nursing, its new Simulation Center, 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. Read More
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In preparation for the Nursing Consortium of Florida’s next educational conference on Thursday, Nov. 14, in Pembroke Pines, abstracts are now being accepted for podium and poster presentations through Friday, Sept. 13. To submit an abstract or register for the conference, click here. The College of Nursing is among the sponsors for the conference.
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Call for entries! The sixth annual Art of Science contest 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 with a chance to win prizes. The early bird deadline is Friday, Sept. 20. For details and to submit entries, click here.
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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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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 September sessions can be found on the college's Events Calendar.
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All Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing alumni are eligible for a 10% discount for our professional development certificate courses designed to advance your nursing career. Nurse educators, nurse leaders and graduate nursing students are welcome to apply. Enroll now and take advantage of the discount here.
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The College of Nursing joined other Florida Atlantic colleges to donate supplies for State Representative Patricia Williams' annual Back-to-School Distribution event held on Aug. 17 in Broward County. Several nursing students also volunteered onsite to help package and provide supplies to local families. Go Owls! View Photos
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Throughout the week of Aug. 19, the College of Nursing hosted numerous events to welcome students back to campus, as well as meet with faculty, connect with other students and learn about its dynamic student organizations. View Photos
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Explore the WCSI Caritas Community Conference 2024 on November 13-15, sponsored by the College of Nursing. Secure your spot at the early bird rate until Aug. 14, and join the event for a valuable opportunity to share experiences and expertise while prioritizing self-care. Learn more and register here.
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Assistant Professor Awarded Florida Education Fund Junior Faculty Fellowship | |
Dr. Christine Toledo has been selected as a recipient of the Florida Education Fund (FEF) Junior Faculty Fellowship. All recipients receive a one-year sabbatical. With this opportunity, Dr. Toledo plans to apply for extramural funding, publish research findings and enhance her professional development. Dr. Toledo is in the process of finishing her research grant, “Mi Leche Es Suficiente: A Telenovela to Promote Breastfeeding Exclusivity Among Hispanic Women,” in which she developed and tested the acceptability of a culturally tailored telenovela that promotes exclusive breastfeeding to Hispanic women. During her upcoming fellowship year, Dr. Toledo intends to craft an R03 proposal to NICHD for the next phase in her intervention research. | |
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Faculty gathered for the college's annual retreat on Aug. 14. Former College of Nursing deans Drs. Anne Boykin and Marlaine Smith facilitated a group discussion on the college’s caring philosophy and ways to create a learning environment in which all aspects of the person are respected, nurtured and celebrated. Drs. Boykin and Smith will host Faculty Mentoring Circles this fall semester to discuss and support faculty-student relationships that honor and value the contributions of all.
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Dr. Armiel Suriaga was selected by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institute of Health to participate in the prestigious Butler-Williams Scholars Program, held Aug. 21-23, in Bethesda, Maryland. This highly competitive award aims to improve research acumen and foster collaboration across disciplines. Dr. Suriaga's research focuses on substance use and misuse, particularly opioids among the older population.
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The College of Nursing’s Staff Council has announced the following new officers:
Chair: Matthew Patterson, academic advisor II
Co-Chair: Franklin Babrove, assistant director, Research Programs and Services
Members-At-Large: Valentine Etienne, director, Academic Programs and Javaris Hammond, director, Student Services
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As part of the orientation for new Florida Atlantic faculty, President Stacy Volnick joined Interim Dean Patricia Liehr to welcome College of Nursing faculty Dr. Erika Yates, Dr. Lucy Mendonca-Cali and other new instructors, at a dinner hosted by the university on Aug. 16.
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The following new full-time faculty and those with new titles participated in the college’s faculty orientation on Aug. 15.
- Debarshi Datta, Assistant Professor in Data Science
- Cassandre Horne, Assistant Professor on the Tenure Track
- Elizabeth Adenmosun, Assistant Professor on the Tenure Track
- Richard Cowling, Professor
- Wanda Morancy, Instructor
- Reynel Lavandera, Associate Professor PTT
- Andre Williams, Assistant Professor in Data Science TT
- Erika Yates, Instructor and Tutor
- Danielle Steele Mendez, Instructor
- Luciene Mendonca-Cali, Instructor
- Subhosit Ray, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Nursing and Caring Data Science
- Michelle Broadbent, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Program
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A study by Florida Atlantic nursing researchers Dr. Lenny Chiang-Hanisko and Interim Dean Patricia Liehr highlighting the remarkable resilience of older adults (median age 86) in a South Florida retirement community during the COVID-19 pandemic has been covered in The Washington Post, MSN.com, World Today News and other publications including Medical Xpress and Disabledworld.com.
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South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report republished the Florida Atlantic article, "NAM Selects FAU for Substance Abuse, Opioid Crises Collaborative," on Aug. 19. The University was selected as one of 16 pilot sites from across the nation to participate in the Implementation Pilot Project. The study is spearheaded by the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.
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The September issue of South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report includes a cover page article with Associate Dean of Clinical Practice and Director of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center Dr. Maria Ortega describing the expanded services and research opportunities at the Center.
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PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS:
Harris, N., & Love, T. (2024). Varicella vaccine: recognizing the gap years of inadequate vaccine immunity. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. 20(6). https://www.npjournal.org/article/S1555-4155(24)00108-9/abstract
*Pratt, B.A., Krause-Parello, C.A., Hardison, S., Moreno, S.J., Glynn, A., Dandu, O., & Liehr, P. (May 2024). My dog, my hero: Assessing the feasibility of a cross-generational digital storytelling intervention for veterans. Issues in Mental Health Nursing 45(7), 686-694. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2024.2344787
*Reaves, R. P., Chiang-Hanisko, L., Liehr, P., & Gattamorta, K. A. (2024). The lived experience of parents of children and youth with special healthcare needs on public and private insurance: A phenomenological study. Professional Case Management. doi: 10.1097/NCM.0000000000000705.
#Rivera, A. (n.d.) System Innovation: A Holistic Approach to Disrupting with Love and Human Caring, by Julie Kennedy Oehlert and Kathleen Sitzman. Creative Nursing, Accepted with Revision submitted August 20, 2024, Manuscript ID CN-2024-0106
*Thiengtham, S., Chiang-Hanisko, L., D’Avolio, D. & Sritanyarat, W. (2024). Experience of transitional care among Thai-Isan older stroke survivors and their family caregivers. Qualitative Health Research. DOI: 10.1177/10497323241232937
(* = Data-based, # = Caring Science)
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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 | | | | |
