MCG nursing dean appointed to panels

Janie Heath, associate dean for academic affairs at the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing in Augusta, has been appointed to an American Heart Association panel studying smokeless tobacco products and to a Tri-Council for Nursing panel studying advanced practice nursing care.

Heath is one of two nurses chosen for the AHA panel, which will write a paper on the impact of smokeless tobacco products on cardiovascular disease.

The Tri-Council for Nursing panel includes 12 to 14 nurses, epidemiologists, economists and policymakers. They will review 20,000 articles on patient outcomes by advanced practice nurses and will write an assessment of the safety, quality and effectiveness of care provided by advanced practice nurses.

FRESH DAISIES: On Sept. 15, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta joined 19 other hospitals in recognizing honorees for the DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses. The DAISY Award is sponsored by United Healthcare, a company that organizes access to health care, and the DAISY Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from a rare auto-immune disease in 1999.

Nominated by staff and patients, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s honorees are Missy Gilford, emergency department; Bobby Patterson, critical care; and Jennifer Tomasini, cardiac stepdown unit.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: M. Angelica Vuchetich, RN, CANP, a pioneer in HIV nursing and a ground-breaking nurse practitioner, will be the keynote speaker at the national conference for the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 6.

In her address Vuchetich will share her passion for HIV nursing and draw on years of experience as the clinical director of the infectious disease program at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

CELEBRATION OF SURVIVAL: The Georgia Cancer Foundation (GCF), a nonprofit organization, and Spa Sydell, an Atlanta day spa chain, have launched a statewide initiative to raise awareness and donations to support breast cancer initiatives. This month, Spa Sydell clients can select from specially designated “pink” spa packages of facials and massages; 10 percent of the cost will go to GCF breast cancer programs.

The foundation supports low-cost mammograms; Bosom Buddies support groups; the Angel Boutique, which provides breast cancer patients with mastectomy bras, wigs and prostheses; and ChemoChic, a class that empowers women who are undergoing chemotherapy.

SPIRIT OF WOMEN: Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta has joined Spirit of Women, a partnership of hospitals and health care systems across the country that provide educational health opportunities in a fun environment. The hospital will provide events that will include education, screenings, support groups and activities for women.

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