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.
“I am so proud that we could do something good for Mercer,” Thomas said. “This establishes Mercer’s PA program as one with strong faculty and very prepared and enthusiastic students who should be considered among the best in the country.”
Spirit of nursing: Lynda Jones, RN, director of Cardiovascular, Renal and Respiratory Services, was named CSRA Nurse of the Year during the 2011 Spirit of Nursing Showcase, an event sponsored by the CSRA Chapter of the Georgia Nurses Association.
Jones has practiced at University Hospital in Augusta since 1988. During this past year, she also served as interim CNO/vice president of Patient Care Services.
The event also honored 26 other University Hospital nurses for their nursing spirit and excellence in several categories.
Winners of the Reflection of Nursing Spirit Award were Ann Badke, Kathleen Bosdell, Deb Broske, Cheryl Hutto Bunn, Leigh Burt, Janet Carlton, Donna Carter, Carol Corcoran, Marie Davis, Mark Keesling, Lynette Moseley, Candy Russell, Sherri Simmons, Heather Thorton, Lorraine Thomas and Melissa Warren.
Nominees for 2011 Nurse of the Year in the staff nurse category were Ron Elizon, Faye Froelich, Myra Pinson, Denise Shedrick, Barbara Wammack and Maribeth Weikle. Other nominees were Kimberly Burnett (nurse educator category); Keith Albert and Reyne Kelton (nurse manager category); and Renee Butcher (nurse administrator category).
First class launched: The first graduates of Gwinnett Technical College's associate degree nursing program received their diplomas in June. Thirty-one nursing graduates joined more than 550 other Gwinnett Tech students at the college's commencement ceremony at Gwinnett Arena in Duluth.
The college launched the registered nursing associate degree program in September 2009.
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