View as Webpage

December 2022

Five Key Factors Affect Physical Activity in

Multi-ethnic Older Adults

A study by researchers in FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing used a novel robust statistical approach and a large range of instruments and tools to analyze a diverse sample of adults ages 59 to 96. Results of the study, published in the journal Geriatrics, showed that age, education, social network, pain and depression were the five factors that accounted for a statistically significant proportion of unique variance in physical activity in this diverse, community dwelling older population.


Ruth M. Tappen, Ed.D., RN, FAAN, senior author and the Christine E. Lynn Eminent Scholar and professor in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, said "“Education may be key both in helping older adults with depressive symptoms understand that physical activity can help reduce their symptoms and in helping them to identify the types of activity that they may find enjoyable." Read More

Sigma Iota Xi at-Large Chapter's Research Day

The Sigma Iota Xi at-Large Chapter, in collaboration with the College of Nursing, hosted Research Day on Thursday, Dec. 8, in the College's Atrium on the Boca Raton campus. DNP students also presented their posters during a separate, online session that evening. The events highlighted the scholarly projects and innovative research conducted by students and faculty.


During the program, the following awards were presented to DNP students: Leadership Excellence Award – Dr. Amanda Simonie; Clinical Excellence Award – Dr. Katelyn Horan; T. Touhy Caring in Gerontological Nursing Award – Dr. Jaimie Geyer.


Other fall student awards include: Scholarship Award: Samirh Alqhtani; Undergraduate Leadership Awards: Eric Wilson and Jamie MacInnes.

Ph.D. student Eftkhar Alroyley (above, at right) received the Best Poster Award for her presentation titled, “Saudi Families’ Needs in the Intensive Care Unit Based on Leininger’s Theory: An Integrative Review.” Her academic advisor is Dr. Lenny Chiang-Hanisko. View the list of presenters here.

Florida Atlantic University Launches

'Transcend Tomorrow' Campaign

Florida Atlantic University recently kicked off the public phase of its first comprehensive campaign in more than 20 years. On Tuesday, Dec. 6., Florida Atlantic announced the launch of its “Transcend Tomorrow” campaign, with a goal of raising $600 million for the university and will focus on three fundraising priorities: FAU Health, student scholarships and success, and the environment. The main speakers at the event included Dean Safiya George who described the College's academic programs, community service and endowments, and Dr. Shirley Gordon who discussed her research on the effects of harmful algal blooms.


The College of Nursing's Health Equity Nursing Scholarship (HENS) program is the featured story on the campaign website. Learn more about how Florida Atlantic is setting the standards for success in research, technology, and education at transcendtomorrow.fau.edu.

College of Nursing to Host Fall Commencement and Pinning Ceremony

The College of Nursing will host its fall commencement and pinning ceremony for part-time BSN students on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 5:30 p.m., at The Addison in Boca Raton. The Fall 2022 pinning ceremony at the Boca Raton campus will take place Thursday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. The University will host the general commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 16, at 9 a.m., in the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium on the Boca Raton campus.

College of Nursing Will Participate in Concert-4-Kindness With Montana Tucker

The College of Nursing has signed on as a partner for the Concert-4-Kindess to be presented on January 15, 2023 at 4 p.m. in the Kaye Auditorium. Dean Safiya George will be among the speakers. The initiative was conceived by Bonnie and Jon Kaye, long-time FAU supporters and organizers of the White Coats. Award-winning performer, songwriter, actress, and mega social media influencer and South Florida native Montana Tucker will perform at the event. Tickets range from $10 to $20 and can be purchased at www.fauevents.com or by calling 561-297-6124.


Students are encouraged to get involved in the “Expressions of Kindness” contest – individually and/or as a group, an initiative co-hosted by Montana and FAU. Students could win the opportunity to be on stage with her during one of her performances, win prizes and/or have their art shared that day or on social media. Learn more here.

Student News

Sigma

The Sigma chapter Induction Ceremony and Holiday Gathering will take place on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m., before the Pinning Ceremony, in the College's atrium. During this season of giving, support an inductee(s) by paying for a year of Sigma membership so they can attend this special occasion to honor their academic and leadership achievements. For details, email [email protected].

The FAU Career Center has the latest job listings. Career coaches are also available to help with practice interviews, resume reviews and more! Make an appointment today or check out the latest jobs in Handshake.

The end of the year is quickly approaching! The Fall 2022 semester ends on Friday, Dec. 16. Good luck on your final exams, Owls!

Registration for Spring 2023 courses is now open. Register early to reduce your stress levels and get the classes you want. Be sure to check the schedule and register as soon as possible. Spring classes begin January 7.  

Save the date for Saturday, Feb. 4! Join the College of Nursing, Sigma Iota Xi Chapter at-Large, and the Student Nurses Association to team up for the Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Walk for Wishes 5K Walk/Run in Broward County.

Student Spotlight

Susan Hale, RN

Susan Hale, who’s pursuing a Master of Advanced Holistic Nursing degree, has launched her own private practice, eBalance, an advanced holistic nursing practice based on “caring and healing using light, truth, and love” in Salt Lake City, Utah. She plans to make a transformative change in the future with “just one client at a time, through listening, enlightening, and empowering,” she said. Currently, she is working with her mentor, Dr. Shirley Gordon, to complete the AHNA Endorsed Schools Application, on behalf of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. Read More

News and Events

Faculty and staff are invited to attend the annual holiday luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the College's atrium on the Boca Raton campus. Kindly bring a modest gift for the white elephant gift exchange along with an unwrapped gift for children (ages newborn to 16 years). Gifts will be donated to Boca Helping Hands.

The University will be closed for Winter Break beginning Saturday, Dec. 24, through Monday, Jan. 2. Best wishes for a happy holiday season!

A panel of College researchers has selected the following faculty members to participate in the upcoming Proposal Development series: Drs. Rita Gengo, Dawn Hawthorne and Laurie Martinez. The purpose of this series is to support participants in developing a research proposal during the course of a semester.

On Nov. 30, Dean George opened the collaborative Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Symposium event which was held on the Boca Raton campus. The event highlighted the transformative, new directions in interdisciplinary ADRD research taking place at FAU.

More than 230 people attended the East and West Perspectives on Nursing Community Engagement webinar in November. To view a recording of the event, click here.

Research News

Dr. Beth Pratt was featured in a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) spotlight story. Learn how the PCORI Engagement Award is bringing together veterans and those connected to the military in regional meetings across the United States, engaging and including veterans' voices to prioritize PTSD-related topics that will inform a patient-centered outcomes research agenda. Watch Here

Faculty and Staff Spotlights

Congratulations to Drs. Laurie Martinez and Debarshi Datta and their team for receiving a seed funding grant award from the FAU Center for SMART Health. Together with project collaborators Dean Safiya George, Dr. David Newman, Dr. Taghi Khoshgoftaar in FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science, and South Florida Memorial Health Systems, the team is working to enhance hospitalization classification and health forecasting related to COVID-19 patients. 

Dr. Nancy Harris and Assistant Dean for Strategic Affairs, Inclusivity and Community Engagement Suzanne Ffolkes presented their poster abstract on an innovative Cultural Immersion Practicum for Advanced Practice Nursing students at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Transform 2022 conference in Chicago on Dec. 1. To read more about their pilot program, click here.

On Dec. 2, the College of Nursing's Herlie Bertrand presented on the "Effectiveness of Alternative Education Modalities for Preeclampsia Knowledge and Maternal Health" at the 7th annual Perinatal Mental Health conference in Tampa.

Congratulations to Dr. Debarshi Datta, a postdoctoral fellow in the College of Nursing, who received a NSF I-CORPS certificate in the 2022 FAU regional cohort. The curriculum is a four-week program for faculty and students who are interested in grant proposals for research on innovation in small businesses. Dr. Datta will use the grant for training purposes to develop AI skills in health care and to develop prototyping research.

Dr. Kathryn Keller was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing during a September ceremony in Las Vegas. As part of the 16th class of fellows, Dr. Keller joins other nursing leaders in higher education who are committed to advancing the quality of health care in the United States and globally. Congratulations!

Drs. Patricia Dittman and Armiel Suriaga attended the Nursing Consortium Conference held at the Signature Grand in Davie, on December 7.

In the Media

The Palm Beach Post published an article on the College's $3.9 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fund a nurse-led program designed to create healthier populations in rural and medically underserved regions. Read Article

Yahoo! Finance featured the $10 million estate pledge from Holli Rockwell Trubinsky and her husband Joseph Trubinsky to establish the Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean in Nursing within FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. (Nov.18, 2022)

Local West Palm Beach TV station WPBF (ABC) featured the College's Lamplighter Scholarship program on its Nov. 15 morning broadcast. View Clip

Faculty Publications


BOOK CHAPTERS:  


Hain, D. (2023). Vitamin B12. In K.S. Castler & K. Gawlik (Eds.), Laboratory screening & diagnostic evaluation: An evidence-based approach (pp. 765-778). Springer Publishing.


Hain, D. & Tkas, N.C. (2023). In K.S. Castler & K. Gawlik (Eds.) Laboratory screening & diagnostic evaluation: An evidence-based approach (pp. 724-732). Springer Publishing.


PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS: (* = data-based; # = caring science):  


Cunningham, B., Wharton, R. E., Lee, C., Mojica, M. A., Krajewshi, L.C., Gordon, S.C., Schaefer, A. Johnson, R. C., & Hameline, E. I. (2022). Measurement of microcystin activity in human plasma using immunocapture and protein phosphate inhibition assay. Toxins, 14(11), 813. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins1411081


de Carvalho Batista, L., Melo, M.N., de Almeida Lopes Monteiro da Cruz, D., & Gengo e Silva Butcher, R.C. (2022). Characteristics of music intervention to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization: scoping review. Heliyon, 8(11), E11894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11894


Iqbal, S.M.A., Mahgoub, I., Du, E., Leavitt, M.A., & Ashgar, W. (2022, November 24). Development of a wearable belt with integrated sensors for measuring multiple physiological parameters related to heart failure. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-02223680-1   


Lobst, S. E., Best, N., Smith, D. C., Phillips, M. A. K., Wilson, C., & Trego, L. (2022). Promoting Military Women’s Health Through Research Design. Military Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usac310


*#Nagata, M., Ito, M., Takahashi, R., Nishimura, C. & Liehr, P. (2022). Nature Immersion in an extreme environment: Hiroshima survivors’ personal emergence following their atomic bomb experience. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 15894. 


Quidley-Rodriguez, N., de Tantillo, L., Wolf, L. (2022). Creating effective post-pandemic psychiatric nursing clinical experiences using the Roy Adaptation Model. Sage Open Nursinghttps://doi.org/10.1177/23779608221142376  


Trego, L. L., Middleton, M. C. A., Centi, S., McNair, B., Braun, L., Siaki, L., Hopkins, D., & Wilson, C. (2022). The Military Women’s Health Delphi Study: A Research Agenda for the Next Decade. Military Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usac271


Love, T., Wiese, L.A., Duncan, V., & Bertrand, H. (2022, December 8). Does self-directed learning address gaps in nursing student knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease? Educational Gerontologyhttps://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2022.2148445

Employment Opportunities

Invest in Our Students

FAU/NCHA Community Health Centers

Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center

Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  LinkedIn  Web