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November 2023

FAU College of Nursing Launches New Nursing Certificates

Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has launched two new continuing education certificate courses designed to train health care professionals and caregivers on compassionate care of persons with dementia and nurses caring for patients in telemetry/progressive care units.


Compassionate Care of Older Adults at Risk for or Experiencing Dementia,” is a fully online, self-paced, on-demand six-week program for certified nursing assistants, home health aides, patient care assistants and caregivers. The 20-hour course certificate program integrates the “The Six Cs of Caring,” in all its components so that participants gain an understanding and the true meaning of caring as well as new skills to apply – when caring for individuals at risk for and/or experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).


Telemetry/Progressive Care,” in partnership with Cross Country Healthcare, is a fully online, self-paced, on-demand 10-week course designed for registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses, and is open to the general public. This 35-hour course is a virtual learning certificate program that will increase the understanding and clinical judgment of nurses when caring for patients with health conditions that require them to be admitted to the telemetry/step down/progressive care units.


“We are excited to offer two new certificate programs for nurses and other health care providers as well as caregivers, which will ultimately enhance the care of patients with life-threatening conditions and individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias,” said Louise Aurélien-Buie, Ed.D., assistant dean of executive and continuing education and academic-practice partnerships, FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “The two new courses embody the essence of FAU’s College of Nursing’s caring philosophy. Our online certificate programs are innovative, comprehensive and convenient for busy professionals and others who want to advance their knowledge and skill sets.” Read More

17th Annual 'Keep Memories Alive'

Walk-in-the-Mall Fundraiser

Calling all walkers! Join the Caring Hearts Auxiliary of FAU’s Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center within the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing for the 17th annual “Keep Memories Alive” Walk-in-the-Mall on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. at the Town Center (North entrance) in Boca Raton, 6000 Glades Road.


This year’s theme is “Planting Seeds for Memory and Wellness” in observance of past and present challenges individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their families have faced over the years. Event co-chairs for the 2023 Keep Memories Alive Walk-in-the-Mall are Patricia Liehr, Ph.D., professor emeritus, FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and Jay Whelchel.


Walkers can sign up to participate either individually or as part of a team. To register as a walker or team captain, or for more information about sponsorships opportunities, visit fauf.fau.edu/memories. For more information about sponsorships or participating in the event, contact the Caring Hearts Auxiliary office at 561-297-4066 or [email protected]. Read More

FAU Fall Commencement Ceremony


Florida Atlantic University will host its fall commencement ceremony for part-time BSN students on Friday, Dec. 15 at 9 a.m., in the Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium, located in the Student Union on the Boca Raton campus. Read More

College of Nursing Welcomes CCNE Evaluators

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) evaluators visited the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing for a site accreditation visit in early November. Faculty, staff and students, along with FAU President Stacy Volnick and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Russ Ivy, also participated in the meetings.


Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency that contributes to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate and residency/fellowship programs in the field of nursing.

In Memoriam

Marilyn Swillinger

College of Nursing Advisory Board Member

Marilyn Swillinger, a founding member of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s Advisory Board, passed away on October 30 at the age of 87, after a courageous two-year battle with lung cancer.


Upon her arrival in Boca Raton in 2002, she quickly became involved in the South Florida community. Thanks to Marilyn’s diligent and indefatigable leadership, she advanced the fundraising efforts of numerous local nonprofits and cultural institutions. She was truly a passionate advocate for advancing health care, education and the arts.


At Florida Atlantic, Marilyn served as a founding member of the College of Nursing’s Advisory Board, and she was a steadfast supporter of the Lamplighter Scholarship program. She was also a longtime supporter of FAU’s Theatre Lab and the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters.


The other organizations Marilyn was actively involved with included: The Center for the Arts and Innovation; Impact 100; The Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center; The Wick Theatre & Museum Club; Symphony of America; Jazz Society of Palm Beach; National Society of Arts and Letters Florida; The Pap Corps; Boca Raton Regional Hospital; Boca Raton Museum of Art; The Red Cross; The American Heart Association; the George Snow Foundation and The Parkinson's Foundation.

Student News

Jamilah Fallatah successfully defended her dissertation on “The Association Between Informal Caregiver Knowledge About Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Patients’ HbA1C Level among a Saudi Arabian Cohort” on Oct. 6.

Ibtisam Almashni successfully defended her dissertation on “A Mixed Method of Health Literacy and Diabetes Self-Management Among Saudi Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” on Oct. 5.

Cheryl Birmingham successfully defended her dissertation on “Veterans' Perspectives on the Meaning of Well-being: A Phenomenological Inquiry” on Oct. 17.

Florida Atlantic University offices will be closed and no classes will be held on Friday, Nov. 10 in observance of Veterans Day.

Join the Graduate College for a Virtual Graduate Information Session on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 5 to 6:15 p.m. This hour-long session will include information regarding financial aid, testing and test preparation and graduate admissions. Learn more and register for the event here.

The award-winning staff at FAU's Career Center can help you get ahead on your job search. Discover the best practices on interviewing, networking scenarios and more. Make an appointment today or check out the latest jobs in Handshake.

Reserve your spot to visit the Boca Raton campus on Saturday, Nov. 18 for Explore FAU, a campus-wide event to welcome prospective high school juniors, seniors and transfer students! To register, click here.


Together with all 10 of FAU's colleges, faculty and staff from the College of Nursing also participated in the Oct. 14 Explore FAU Day.

Florida Atlantic University offices will be closed and no classes will be held on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

College of Nursing Research Coordinator Alex Pasarariu was among the Student Talon finalists at the FAU Talon Leadership Award ceremony on Oct. 18. Alex, who assists Eminent Scholar and Professor Dr. Ruth Tappen, is also pursuing a master’s degree in Accounting.

Dr. Hope Shaw accompanied our SNA members to the Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA) annual convention in Orlando, Oct. 22 – 24. Camila Fred received the Willa Fuller Leadership Scholarship award and FAU was honored with the Legislative award as well as the BTN (Breakthrough to Nursing) award. The students also submitted two resolutions that were approved. Congratulations to our SNA team!

State Senator Bobby Powell joined College of Nursing students, faculty and the FAU/NCHA Community Health Center on Oct. 28 to support Door to Door Neighborhood Assessments to gain knowledge of the health care needs of local community members and provide students with a unique and high-level skill of community outreach. The activities were also intended to increase access to care and patient visits at the U.B. Kinsey Community Health Center location in West Palm Beach.

The FAU Student Nurses Association (SNA) Halloween party in the Atrium on the Boca Raton campus on Oct. 31 was a spooktacular event! Dean Safiya George and faculty participated in the fun that featured ghoulish treats, games and a costume contest.

Student Spotlight: Kens Metellus

On Oct. 2, College of Nursing student Kens Metellus received a $1,000 scholarship from Memorial Regional Health Care System. Several FAU students from his Part-time Track in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program also attended the organization's Student Welcome event. The Miami native plans to work in health care through both clinical and non-clinical roles, and he aspires to help educate patients to pursue optimal health.

News and Events

The FAU College of Nursing is among the sponsors for NAMIWalks Palm Beach County on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 8 a.m. in John Prince Park, Lake Worth, FL. Presented by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the event raises funds to support the organization’s mission of education, advocacy, support and public awareness. Click here to register for the walk or donate.

Faculty, staff and students! Check your emails for Wellness Sessions this semester facilitated by Dr. Miriam Ismail, professional development and self-improvement coach, and Drs. Laurie Martinez and Dawn Hawthorne. The sessions include but are not limited to breath work, meditation, energy healing, mindfulness exercises, healing modalities and holistic and wellness topics.

Join the College of Nursing's team on Sat., Nov. 11, in support of this year's American Heart Association Palm Beach County Heart Walk. Register or donate here to help the team reach its fundraising goal of $2,500.

Call for abstracts! Submit an abstract for a poster presentation at the Sigma Theta Tau, Iota Xi Research Day, which will be held on Thursday, Nov. 30. Deadline to submit is Friday, Nov. 17, by midnight. Follow this naming convention: Subject line: Last Name _First Name_ SIGMA_ Abstract title. Notification of acceptance will be sent by Nov. 20. Click here to submit.

On Monday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m., the College of Nursing will proudly host the grand opening of the new high-fidelity Advanced Nursing Simulation and Clinical Learning Laboratory on FAU's Davie campus. A reception will be held following the program.

The College of Nursing is accepting applications for its accelerated BSN track on FAU's Davie campus for the fall 2024 admission cycle. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated track (BSN) is specifically designed for the student with a baccalaureate degree in another field who wants to become a Registered Nurse. Learn More

LinkedIn Learning is a leading online learning platform that assists FAU students, faculty and staff to discover and develop skills through an online library of high-quality, expert-led videos and courses. It has unique insights and will provide personalized learning experiences with instructional content relevant to your professional interests and goals. Read More

During Owl Family Weekend 2023, lots of alumni, faculty and staff turned out to join the FAU Health tailgate on Oct. 7, hosted by FAU's College of Nursing, College of Medicine and College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. View Photos

Nursing is more than a job – it’s a calling. The Lamplighter and While Coat scholarships were created to help our aspiring students afford the extra costs required to study nursing. Supporting these students will help them achieve their full potential for academic success. To support scholarships in nursing, contribute here!

Research News

Dr. María de los Ángeles Ortega and her team were awarded a Florida Department of Elder Affairs Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative award to support the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center’s (MWC) Memory Disorder Clinic. For 2023-24, the amount of this award is $222,801, in addition to $500,000 in supplemental funding. Overall, this funding will help ensure that persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), along with their family caregivers, are given essential services to help them age in place, in an elder-friendly environment, with security, dignity, and purpose. This contract also provides evaluation and diagnostic services for persons with symptoms of ADRD and further researches the cause, prevention and treatment of ADRD. It will also allow MWC staff to train and develop training materials for caregivers and health care professionals who care for individuals with ADRD. Contract services include identifying the needs of patients, family members, caregivers and the other individuals within the service area and providing appropriate referrals for services. The MWC serves Palm Beach, Okeechobee and Martin Counties.


Additionally, Dr. Ortega and her team received a $60,000 award from Boca Regional Hospital Foundation through their Community Outreach Grant program, for 2023-24. Funding from this grant will allow the MWC to provide scholarships for individuals who do not have insurance or financial means to pay and to offer comprehensive memory evaluations, including home visits, mental health evaluations, counseling and participation in the adult day care program at a reduced rate based.


Dr. Rebecca Koszalinski and her team were awarded a $319,976 grant from the Florida Department of Health for their study, “Long-term Health Effects of Exposure to Harmful Algal Blooms.” The overall goal of the project is to advance the science related to long-term health effects of exposure to cyanotoxins from harmful algae blooms (HABs) in Florida by using a collaborative, multisite approach. Collaborators include Dr. Malcolm McFarland, Research Associate and Lab Manager, FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, and Dr. Michael Parsons, Florida Gulf Coast University, Professor and Director of the Water School. Team members also include Adam Shaefer, MPH, MBA, PMP (study consultant), Dr. John Reif, Colorado State University (epidemiology consultant) and the FAU Clinical Research Unit (Judyta Kociolek, Steven Reinhard and Iona Petrovai). 

Faculty and Staff

Dr. Lisa Wiese will present at the Gerontological Society of America's annual Scientific Meeting in Tampa, Nov. 8 to 12. The College of Nursing is a co-sponsor of the event. The inaugural Careers in Aging Day at the GSA Scientific Meeting will take place Friday, Nov. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Undergraduate students from Florida-based community colleges, colleges and universities who are interested in fields related to aging, health care and administration are encouraged to attend this free event. For more information, click here.

Several FAU faculty attended the American Academy of Nursing’s 2023 Transforming Health Driving Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 5 to 7. Among the presenters and panelists who participated in the event from the college were Drs. Candy Wilson, Narciso Quidley-Rodriguez, Beth King and Karethy Edwards.

Community engagement staff, together with Dean Safiya George, attended the Soroptimist International of Boca Raton/Deerfield Beach's 48th annual Women of Distinction Breakfast on Oct. 11. Christine E. Lynn, who was the 2023 Soroptimist International Women of Distinction Breakfast Honorary Chair, presented this year's "Gloria Drummond Lifetime Achievement Award" to Barbara Schmidt.

Drs. Nancy Harris, Raquel Brown and Lenny Chiang-Hanisko attended and presented research on self-care of diabetes in Jamaicans and understanding cultural determinants of Muslim parents in the neonatal intensive care unit at the 49th Annual Conference of the Transcultural Nursing Society in Charleston, SC, Oct. 11 to 14.

On Oct. 26, Dr. Terry Eggenberger served as a moderator for the International Association of Human Caring's webinar on "The Art and Science of Caring in Virtual Education and Telepractice Environments."

Nathalia Ceron Suarez joined the College of Nursing as the Assistant Director of Business Processes and HR Partner.

Juliet Soler joined the College of Nursing as a Recruitment and Outreach Specialist.

Hudson Silva is the new Assistant Director of Business Processes and HR Partner at the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center. He is an economist with an MBA in Business and Management, with over 18 years of work experience in Latin America, Europe and North America. His expertise spans economic financial planning, report compilation and economic viability forecasting, as well as administrative and financial management.

In the Media

On Oct. 6, Dr. Tarsha Jones was interviewed by WPBF News regarding her research that shows minority women experience disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Watch Video

Dr. Rebecca Koszalinski was interviewed by CBS12 News regarding FAU's study examining potential long-term health risks from exposure to blue-green algae. Watch Video

Dr. Karen Wisdom-Chambers was quoted in a Sun-Sentinel article about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to find and cure breast cancer (Oct. 14). Read More

Dr. Michelle Broadbent contributed to an article on the college's Accelerated BSN track in the Nov. 1 issue of South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report. Read More

Faculty Publications

BOOK CHAPTERS: 

 

#Boykin, A., Schoenhofer, S.O. & Eggenberger, T. (2023). Caring and the Advanced Practice Nurse. In Dunphy, L.M., Winland-Brown, J.E., Porter, B.O., & Thomas, D.E. (Eds.). Primary Care: The Art and Science of Advanced Practice Nursing-An Interprofessional Approach (6th Ed). Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis. 

 

PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS:

 

Chiang-Hanisko, L. (2023). Transcultural nursing and cultural dimensions of climate change. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 34(5), 319. Doi: 10.1177/10436596231188362

 

*#Luck, G., Eggenberger, T.L., Bautista, A., Peters, D., Mellman, R., Keller, K. & Jacomino, M. (2023, July 25). Fearing pain at the end of life: A review of advance directives. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®. https://doi.org/10.1177/10499091231190063   

 

*Pratt, B.A., Krause-Parello, C. A., & Spadola, C. E. (2023). Partners of Military Veterans and Their Pet Dogs: Exploring the Human-Animal Bond. Best Practices in Mental Health, 19(1), 49–64.

 

Ruebling, I., Eggenberger, T., Frost, J.S., Ganzfried, E., Greer., A., Khalili, H., Ochs, J., Ronnebaum, J., & Stein, S.M. (2023). Interprofessional collaboration: A public policy healthcare transformation call for action. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 33, 100675. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjep.2023.100675  

 

Wiese, L., Pratt, B. A., Heinz, K., Besser, L., Ifill, A., & Williams, C.L. (2023; in press). Community-based Strategies to Reduce Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia Incidence among Rural, Racially/ethnically Diverse Older Adults. Current Geriatrics Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-023-00400-9


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

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