College Kudos - Week of September 28, 2020

Sep 28, 2020 9:00 AM

What happened this last week in the College of Nursing? Truly exceptional work that’s for sure!

Deserving Praise:

Under the direction of Drs. Leissa Roberts and Jennifer Clifton, the College of Nursing Faculty Practice helped Human Resources conduct a drive-through flu shot clinic in the Guardsman Way parking lot. A big thank you to Donnie Benson who was integral in gathering all necessary equipment for a successful clinic during Employee Appreciation Week. On September 25, 2020 vehicles were lined up for the 10 AM clinic by 9:30 AM so the clinic started early! Special thanks to nursing students who volunteered to give injections, Medical Assistant Riley Smith, and supervising faculty Drs. Sharifa Al-Qaaydeh, Sue Chase-Cantarini, Teresa Garrett, and Brenda Luther. The team administered 1,241 flu shots in 4 hours!

Danielle Puri, Dr. Jennifer Macali, Dr. Connie Madden, and Kirsten Schmutz shared their weekend time on September 26, 2020, administering flu shots at the Urban Indian Center (UIC), another Faculty Practice location. Danielle Puri is the Nurse Practitioner at UIC.

Nate Winters, Deputy Director of the Division of Juvenile Justice Services (JJS), praised Dr. Jennifer Clifton and Chase Roberts for shaping JJS management of the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating COVID-19 testing at facilities throughout the state, advising JJS leaders and nurses state-wide about frequently changing COVID-19 guidance, and designing creative solutions to meet JJS needs.

Being a national leader in research requires a robust team effort. Not only do nurse scientists play a major role in earning this distinction, but also the Research Associates who support them and thereby advance nursing science. Although we could not celebrate in person, we recognized their important contributions on September 25, 2020, National Research Administrator Day.

Hollie Fuhrmann, Research Associate, provided exceptional support to Dr. Kara Dassel, enabling Kara to meet a 48-hour application deadline and serve as a key person on Iowa State University’s P30 center grant application.   

Faculty members John Nerges (Course Lead), Melissa Black, Katie Davis, Alicia Donaldson, Tamara Ekker, Lynn Parker, and Chris Sneddon teach NURS 3410 Acute Care Nursing Practicum. Due to COVID-19, clinical placements have been fragmented and unpredictable. Yet, thanks to the extraordinary effort and flexibility of these faculty members, second semester pre-licensure students are engaging in varied clinical experiences, learning knowledge and skills, providing direct patient care, experiencing diverse environments of care, interacting with interdisciplinary members of the health care team, and much more. Heather Clarkson, Program Manager, makes all of this possible as with persistence and determination she navigates clinical placements around the valley and far beyond. 

College of Nursing Systems and Technology Information Technologists make work so much easier, which is a rare talent in these times.Rebwar Baesmat, David Blanford, Mike Mcintosh, and Cole Wandler developed the CONSYSTECH Zoom room and are readily available to help faculty, staff, and students with just a few keystrokes and mouse clicks.

Rebwar Baesmat, David Blanford, Mike Mcintosh, and Cole Wandler provided information technology support for the Academy of Health Science Educators Annual Education Symposium. The team set up Zoom rooms, created a launch page for attendees, and provided technical support for planners, moderators, speakers, and attendees. Despite the complexity, the symposium proceeded flawlessly, easing planning committee anxiety and engendering positive reviews.

Other News: 

Dr. Nicholas Baggett was appointed Clinical Director for Psychiatric-Mental Health Faculty Practice. Dr. Baggett has been at the College of Nursing since early 2018.  He is the anchor Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Impact Mental Health, a nonprofit clinic that serves low income and uninsured persons at no cost, and that is a primary clinical site for PMHNP students. Students learn from and collaborate with PMHNPs, Social Workers, Psychiatrists, and community volunteers.

BirthCare HealthCare Nurse-Midwives now offer waterbirths for low-risk, COVID-19 negative patients. Benefits include supporting maternal choice for place of birth, and reducing need for pain-related interventions. The Nurse-Midwives are designing a trial of labor after cesarean delivery waterbirth study to evaluate mother and baby outcomes. 

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Beyond Type 1 Alliance hosted September Summits. Dr. Michelle Litchman and colleagues presented a panel discussion titled Racial + Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Care.