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March 2024

Newly Released 'Transforming Care' Magazine Celebrates College of Nursing's 45th Anniversary

The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing's 2024 Transforming Care magazine highlights 45 years of caring science and academic excellence in nursing. This issue showcases how the college is propelling our students to new levels of success, providing much-needed services for our growing South Florida community through the FAU/NCHA Community Health Center and Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, our faculty's latest innovative research projects and the accomplishments of our outstanding students and alumni. We invite you to read the online edition of the 2024 Transforming Care magazine here.

FAU Day at the Capitol 2024 Celebration

Three Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing students, Matthew Brown, Antonio Rull and Emma Morris, joined Dean Safiya George along with Florida Atlantic University President Stacy Volnick, students, faculty, staff and alumni for "FAU Day" at the State Capitol on Feb. 13. Every year, Florida Atlantic sends a delegation to Tallahassee to share the University's successes, engage lawmakers, connect with state officials and increase awareness about FAU's legislative priorities.


Brown, who is currently working on his second degree from Florida Atlantic in the Accelerated BSN nursing program, said that it was a privilege to be part of the delegation.


"I have immense pride in being an Owl, and I knew I would put my best foot forward in representing the University," said Brown. "Also, being one of five males in the Accelerated Nursing program, I felt a sense of duty to represent. I am also from Jamaica and believed I would bring a different perspective to the overall delegation."


Rull, a senior Freshman Direct Admit nursing student, said it was vital for him to attend because the group connected with senators and representatives who can change the future of our communities. He was also pleasantly surprised when he mentioned that he performs research with Associate Professor Dr. Rebecca Koszalinski who is investigating the impacts of algal blooms within the state.


"When I said I work on the algal blooms study, I was shocked by how many senators and representatives were already familiar with the study, how many understood their harmful impacts and how many were passionate about stopping the impacts," expressed Rull. "It was amazing to learn that the work of our great team is being heard, understood and highly regarded in some of the most important rooms in the state."


Morris, a sophomore in the Freshman Direct Admit program, shared how interesting it was to sit in on meetings and help raise awareness about the programs FAU is looking to build.


"I was honored to be selected to represent FAU in Tallahassee as both a student-athlete on the cheer team and as part of the College of Nursing," shared Morris. "I am grateful that I had the opportunity to speak to representatives about the college and show that there are students interested in growing the program."

FAU/NCHA Community Health Center Secures Milestone Contract to Provide Pharmacy Services

The FAU/NCHA Community Health Center has reached a significant milestone by securing a 340B Pharmacy Contract with Walgreens, marking a pivotal achievement in enhancing health care accessibility and affordability for the community.


Sponsored by the U.S. Health Resources Services Administration Office of Pharmacy Affairs, the contract with Walgreens allows eligible patients to gain access to prescription medications at a reduced cost. This vital provision not only addresses immediate medication needs, but it also promises potential savings for the clinic that must be reinvested to expand treatment programs.


“This is a tremendous boost for the clinic to be able to bring in additional revenue while at the same time providing significantly discounted medications for patients in need,” said Dr. Karethy Edwards, Executive Director of the FAU/NCHA Community Health Center.


Dr. Edwards added that having a 340B Pharmacy Contract is the last contracted service requirement for the clinic to become a Federally Qualified Health Center for a future application of a New Access Point of Care which could result in additional government funding.

College of Nursing Among Top 40 NIH-funded Schools in the U.S.

The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has earned a spot among the Top 40 NIH-funded schools of nursing in the United States, underscoring the commitment of faculty and students to expand health care knowledge. Notably, all FAU College of Nursing research is presently led by nurses, which is no longer the trend across the country. This recognition demonstrates the college’s efforts to train nurses to advance nursing science and to serve as leaders in the field.


With further growth and innovation in these research endeavors, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration will be essential. The support provided by internal grant funding opportunities has led to this achievement. These grants enable faculty to gather vital pilot data, laying the groundwork for future NIH-funded successes.

Student News

On the first day of their study abroad trip, College of Nursing graduate students served 91 patients at a clinic in Guatemala. Led by Assistant Professor Dr. Nancy Harris, students performed primary care, pediatric sessions and cervical cancer screenings in the rural village of Caserio La Buena Esperanza San Martin Jilotepeque in February.

Florida Atlantic University's spring break will begin on March 2. Classes will resume on March 9. Have a safe and enjoyable break!

An Accelerated BSN track information session will be held on Tuesday, March 19, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. This limited-access four-semester program is a fast track to a professional nursing career. Sign up for the event here.

Join the information session on our RN-BSN program on Thursday, March 21, from 1 to 2 p.m. This track is for applicants who have completed a diploma or associate's degree nursing program at an ACEN accredited institution, possess an unencumbered RN license in the state of residence and who seek to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Click here to register

If you are interested in learning more about our Freshman Direct Admit track, a full-time four-year program for currently enrolled high school seniors preparing to enter Florida Atlantic in the fall, join the Freshman Direct information session on Thursday, March 21, from 3 to 4 p.m. Click here to register

Register early! Summer and Fall 2024 registration opens on Monday, March 25Check the schedule and register early to ensure to get the classes you want. Note: Non-degree seeking students are only allowed to register just prior to the start of each term.

Research and Scholarship Day, hosted by Sigma and the College of Nursing, will be Tuesday, April 16, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is open to all nursing students (all tracks, from BSN to Ph.D./DNP), nursing faculty and Sigma members. The deadline to submit an abstract for the poster presentation is Friday, March 29, by 11:59 p.m. Send abstracts to Dr. Rebecca Koszalinski at rloszali@health.fau.edu

The Graduate College will host a virtual Graduate Information Session on Thursday, March 28, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This session will include information regarding financial aid, test preparation and graduate admissions. Learn more and register for the event here.

All are welcome to attend Science Fest on Friday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Breezeway, Boca Raton campus. Enjoy science-related exhibitions, a student poster competition, interactive games and activities. Science Fest is organized by the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science to celebrate the diversity of our scientific disciplines and the variety of contributions from faculty and students. Learn More

Nurses Christian Fellowship students volunteered at Boca Helping Hands (BHH) on Feb. 15. They assisted the staff to sort, restock and organize donated food items in the warehouse, and helped fill pantry bags for BHH clients.

HCA Florida JFK Hospital launched a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) on Jan. 22. Its first clinical group of students is comprised of eight Accelerated BSN College of Nursing students, who will complete most of their clinical rotations within the HCA system. The students are currently assigned to a mid-acuity unit where they will have the opportunity to care for a variety of patients who are stable (chronic) to complex (critical).

The FAU Career Center can help you discover the keys to unlocking your professional potential! Their award-winning staff is always ready to share valuable resources, expert insights, success stories and engaging activities to help you navigate your career journey. Make an appointment today or view the latest jobs in Handshake.

Alumna Spotlight: Angela Prestia

Angela Prestia

Florida Atlantic University College of Nursing Adjunct Professor and alumna Angela S. Prestia, Ph.D. ’14, MSN, RN NE-BC, teaches courses on leadership, finance, health care policy, research and informatics for both master’s and Doctor of Nursing (D.N.P.) students. Her first book titled “Becoming the Chief Nurse: The Science, The Stories, The Truth,” released in January, has been ranked on Amazon as the “No. 1 New Release in Nursing Administration and Management.” Read More

News and Events

The College of Nursing will host its annual White Coat ceremony on Thursday, March 21, at 5 p.m., in the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium. Help us propel our stellar students to achieve their highest potential. Give here to support the future of nursing and empower our Owls to soar.

Together with the Admissions team and other Florida Atlantic colleges, the College of Nursing will participate in Choose FAU Day, Friday, March 22, on the Boca Raton campus. This event is exclusively for admitted students only. We want you to choose FAU! Learn More

Join Florida Atlantic’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute for neuroscience events throughout March to educate and engage the community about the benefits of brain research and health. Brainy Days features free community lectures to promote brain wellness and reduce the stigma associated with brain disorders. Insights at the Institute is a free art exhibition of creativity and the bipolar brain.

The President's Gala will take place on Saturday, April 13, at 7 p.m., in the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena on the Boca Raton campus. The evening will celebrate the University’s many achievements while supporting scholarships and student success. For tickets and sponsorship information, click here.

Attention faculty, staff and students! Check your email about Wellness Sessions facilitated by Dr. Miriam Ismail, professional development and self-improvement coach, and Drs. Laurie Martinez and Dawn Hawthorne. March sessions will focus on the five segments in the Emotional Intelligence Framework. It is packed with inspiring exercises, tools and strategies to help improve Emotional Quotient.

Congratulations to Drs. Armiel Suriaga, Debra Hain and Lisa Wiese who were recognized for their outstanding nursing scholarship at the second annual Authors and Artists event on Feb. 12. The event was co-hosted by the Office of the Provost and University Libraries to celebrate the creative, distinguished and dedicated works of the Florida Atlantic community. View Photos

College of Nursing faculty and students showcased their impressive research at the 38th annual Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) conference from Feb. 21 to 23, in Charlotte, NC. The College of Nursing also served as a Gold Host School for the event.

Drs. Debra Shelby and Louise Aurélien Buie hosted a dermatology workshop, "The Foundations of Dermatology Procedures and Surgery," on March 2. The full-day session was attended by nursing students and nurses from Florida Atlantic, as well as the surrounding community.

Nominations are now open for The Rotary Club of Downtown Boca Raton’s annual Honor Your Doctor luncheon. Nomination votes for nurses or doctors begin at $60. Proceeds from the event provide scholarship funds for deserving medical and nursing students who attend Florida Atlantic’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. Learn More

Research News

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Dr. Mary Ann Leavitt for receiving the prestigious 2024 Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) Research Grant award. Dr. Leavitt was awarded $7,500 for her study on developing flexible wearable sensors to alert for heart failure decompensation and reduce hospital admissions. Her research project is a collaboration with Florida Atlantic’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. Dr. Leavitt received the award in-person during the 38th annual SNRS conference from Feb. 21 to 23, in Charlotte, NC.

Faculty and Staff

Dean Safiya George was selected as this year’s recipient of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing’s Distinguished Nursing Achievement Award. Her exceptional contributions to the field of nursing were recognized at the awards celebration ceremony on Feb. 16, in Atlanta.

The FAU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) invites all Florida Atlantic faculty to submit series and one-time program proposals for Summer/Fall 2024 for all OLLI locations. The deadline to submit is Friday, March 8. Learn More

Visiting Instructor Dr. Elizabeth Adenmosun became a board certified Advanced Holistic Nurse (AHN-BC).

In the Media

WPTV interviewed Dr. Rebecca Koszalinski regarding her ongoing study into the harmful effects of algal blooms in Florida on Feb. 18. Her research study was also picked up by other news outlets, including WFTX and WPBF.

Dr. Ruth Tappen's pioneering study with other Florida Atlantic engineering and neuropsychology researchers to detect cognitive impairment in older drivers using an in-vehicle sensing system was covered by Breaking News Network (Feb. 29).

Faculty Publications

PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS: *Armstrong, M., Bedenfield, N. A., Rosselli, M., Curiel, R., Kitaigorodsky, M., Galvin, J. E., Lachner, C., Ortega, M., Mohiuddin, Y. S., Shatzer, J., Marasco, D., Willis, D., Bylund, C.L. (2024, Feb.). Best practices for communicating a diagnosis of dementia: Results of a multi-stakeholder modified Delphi consensus process. Neurology, Clinical Practice 14(1), PMCID: PMC10750429 DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200223

 

Horne, C. (2024). Acculturation and Mental Health: A scoping review. Creative Nursing Journal, 60(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/10784535241229146


(* = Data-based, # = Caring Science)

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