Georgia State University has announced the formation of the new Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions, effective July 1. Previously, the School of Nursing and the School of Health Professions were housed as separate entities within the College of Health and Human Sciences.
Combining the schools will help Georgia State increase interdisciplinary education, better preparing students for today’s health care challenges. Cecelia Gatson Grindel, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, professor of nursing, has been named the interim dean of the new school. A national search has been launched to hire the first permanent dean of the school.
The School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Science degrees for advanced practice nurses, nurse informaticist and nurse administrators, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree. The new school offers Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in nutrition and respiratory therapy, as well as a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
New oncology expert: Emory University has hired Deborah Watkins Bruner, an internationally recognized authority on cancer care and quality of life.
“Dr. Bruner is one of the nation’s preeminent researchers in oncology nursing,” said Linda McCauley, dean of Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.
Bruner, who comes to Emory from the University of Pennsylvania, will hold a dual appointment as a professor of nursing at Emory’s nursing school and as associate director of cancer outcomes at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.
Pharmacy fellow: Lilburn pharmacist Michael Neville, a clinical associate professor at the University of Georgia, has been named a Fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Neville was presented with the award in June during the society’s summer meeting and exhibition in Denver. He was honored for distinguished service to pharmacy practice in hospital and health systems.
Mercer PA team a winner: A three-member team of students in the physician assistant studies program in Mercer University's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences captured first place in a national medical challenge bowl at a physician assistants conference in Las Vegas.
Of the 48 teams that competed, Mercer’s team — Arlene Salmon, Matt Swiatowicz and Chris Thomas— hoisted the championship trophy after defeating three teams in the final round.
The win is even more impressive because Mercer’s master’s degree program in physician assistant studies was begun only four years ago.
Grady stroke team grows: The Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center at Grady Memorial Hospital has announced the addition of a new program director and a new outreach manager.
Karen B. Seagraves joins Grady as program director after 13 years at Atlanta’s Northside Hospital, where she served as the neurosciences clinical nurse specialist and neuroscience and stroke program coordinator for the three Northside Hospital campuses. As a stroke-care expert, Seagraves is a reviewer for The Joint Commission’s stroke division of disease-specific programs.
As the new outreach manager, Kerrin Connelly will work to expand the center’s multihospital referral network and enhance community outreach for Grady’s neuroscience programs.
Connelly comes to Grady from the American Heart Association, where she served as manager for Health Quality Technology Solutions, overseeing the online component of the Get With The Guidelines quality-improvement programs. Connelly previously worked as a registered nurse for 10 years.
New nursing leader: Henry Medical Center has named Jackie Fogle director of nursing resources at the Stockbridge hospital.
A 26-year nursing veteran, Fogle has experience in telemetry and outpatient surgery. She has served in management for the past three years at Henry Medical and was instrumental in opening the hospital’s direct admit unit last December.
