Nursing Students Provide Care for Older Adults in Atlanta

ABSN Students (from left) Caroline Musa, Sara McClintock, Rachel Franco, Weihua Zhang (clinical assistant professor), Kathleen Davis, Christina Harwell, and April Cameron.

Emory nursing students travel far and wide to provide health care services to underserved communities across the globe. This summer, the Acclerated BSN/MSN students took on community health projects that were closer to home by providing care in senior living facilities right here in Atlanta.

"Most of our students want to be community health providers and we know that most of them are going to care for older adults," said Clinical Assistant Professor Carolyn Clevenger. "These clinical appointments gave us an opportunity to get students in front of older adults who are active and independent, so we can dispel the myth that older adults only live in nursing homes."

These clinical rotations were the school’s first home-based clinical sites and proved to be a valuable experience for students.

"In this setting, we were able to focus on each patient individually and explore who they are and truly assess their needs and resources," said Acclerated BSN student Sara McClintock 08OX 10C 12N. "The individual attention allowed us to develop a full health assessment that will improve their health over time."

Emory nursing students provided three senior living facilities with a comprehensive personal health record for each resident. These personal health records are recommended by state agencies and medical providers to ensure patients receive proper medical attention based on their health history.

This dynamic clinical experience was made possible through a grant from Emory’s Office of University-Community Partnerships.

Click here to view photos of students working with patients in Atlanta-area senior living facilities.

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Dean McCauley Delivers Inaugural State of the School Address

	Dean Linda A. McCauley, PhD, RN, FAAN

Dean Linda McCauley, PhD, RN, FAAN, delivered her first State of the School Address to more than 100 faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing on October 13. Fiscal year 2010 (September 1, 2009-August 31, 2010) was defined by extraordinary progress and immeasurable impact.

McCauley reported that over the last year, the school has:

• Enrolled the largest group of students in the school’s 105-year history
• Launched an Accelerated BSN/MSN Program
• Raised more than $19.3 million of the school’s $20 million fundraising campaign goal
• Increased research funding by 208 percent with $7.3 million
• Established clinical partnerships at more than 300 clinical sites in Georgia
• Created three Dedicated Education Units for one-on-one clinical instruction at Emory Healthcare hospitals
• Received recognition as one of the nation's top doctoral programs by the National Research Council

Click here to view the 2010 State of the School presentation.

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Emory's Nursing PhD Program Ranked Among Nation's Best

The doctoral program at Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing has been ranked among the nation's best programs in a survey released by the National Research Council (NRC) on September 28.

Emory’s School of Nursing received strong ratings in the 20 categories that were measured in the survey, particularly in the areas of student support and outcomes, faculty productivity, and diversity. The NRC survey, which assessed doctoral programs at 55 nursing schools, does not assign a single numerical rank to any program, but places programs within a distinct range to illustrate overall program quality.

Emory's doctoral program was recognized as a top-tier nursing program in the NRC rankings along with nursing schools at the University of California at San Francisco, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University.

"The NRC assessment validates the strength of our doctoral program and our commitment to developing outstanding nurse scientists and educators," says Linda McCauley, PhD, RN,FAAN, dean and professor of the Emory School of Nursing. "We are extremely proud to be counted among the top nursing PhD programs in the United States."

The NRC analyzed 5,004 doctoral programs in 59 fields of study from 212 universities. Data from the study was collected during the 2006-2007 academic year.

The full report can be found online at www.nap.edu/rdp.

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Alumni Spotlight: Sally Hale 80MN

	Sally Hale 80MN at a recent Camp Sunshine event. To learn more about the organization visit www.mycampsunshine.com.

Imagine giving children with cancer a chance to enjoy life and be a kid again. Thanks to Camp Sunshine, which is directed by Emory nursing alumna Sally Hale, it’s possible. Camp Sunshine is an Atlanta-based non-profit organization that provides children with cancer the opportunity to participate in normal activities like swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and making friends with other kids who are facing similar challenges. Campers safely participate in activities with support from experienced oncology medical staff and volunteers.

Hale has always been an ardent supporter for youth living with cancer. Following her graduation from Emory, she launched a career as a pediatric nurse with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In 1982, she became involved with Camp Sunshine at the urging of Dorothy Jordan—another Emory nursing graduate—and founder of the organization. Five years later, Hale became the executive director of Camp Sunshine. Now, after being part of the organization for more than 28 years, she can’t imagine doing anything else.

"Camp Sunshine has given me a powerful opportunity to strengthen lives and give hope to others," she said. "I love giving kids with cancer and their families loving care and positive experiences."

As the executive director of Camp Sunshine, Hale has helped the organization develop dynamic programming for school-aged children all the way up to young adults. Over the last year, Camp Sunshine’s wide array of programs has touched the lives of more than 900 families across the state of Georgia.

Hale credits her Emory nursing education with helping her transition into a career as a non-profit executive.

"Emory helped prepare me for the challenges of leadership," she said. "As a nurse you’re people-oriented, you become a master at multi-tasking, and you have impeccable analytical skills—which are critical to managing an organization like Camp Sunshine. I’ve found that nursing has prepared me for every challenge in life."

Emory nursing students regularly volunteer at Camp Sunshine. In October, students entertained kids with cancer diagnoses at Camp Sunshine's Fall Festival. Click here to see photos of our students in constume at the Fall Festival.

To learn more about Camp Sunshine, visit www.mycampsunshine.com.

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Nurses' Alumni Association Announces 2010 Award Winners

From left: Charlie Jeffrey, Kay Chitty, Nell Hodgson Watt, Sharon Quinn, and Linda McCauley

Emory University’s Nurses’ Alumni Association honored four individuals during Homecoming 2010.

"We are privileged to honor four exceptional people whose hard work, commitment, and devotion to Emory University and the nursing profession have made a long-lasting impact on Emory and their communities," said Amy Dorrill, associate dean for development and alumni relations in the School of Nursing.

A committee comprised of alumni reviewed the nominations and selected the winners.

2010 Nurses’ Alumni Association Award recipients:

Distinguished Nursing Achievement Award
Kay Kittrell Chitty 65N 68MN

Kay Kittrell Chitty has an impressive nursing career that spans more than 45 years. She is best known for advancing nurse education as the dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she retired in 1994. She is the author of the bestselling nursing textbook, Professional Nursing: Concepts and Challenges.

Chitty earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing from Emory University. She received a doctoral degree from the University of Tennessee.

Distinguished Nursing Achievement Award
Mary Elizabeth “Meg” Jeffrey 81Ox 83N*

Meg Jeffrey dedicated her life and career as a tireless and enthusiastic champion and mentor for transplant patients. She served in the transplant and donation programs at Piedmont Hospital, Lifeline of Georgia, and Emory Healthcare. Most recently, she was the outreach coordinator for the Emory Transplant Center. She served one term as a Nurses’ Alumni Association board member and was also a dedicated member of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing.

Jeffrey earned a bachelor’s degree from Oxford College in 1981. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Emory in 1983.

* Recognized posthumously

Award of Honor
Sharon Quinn N 05

Sharon Quinn has shown dedication to the Family Farm Worker Health Program in Moultrie, Georgia through her many years of tireless volunteerism. Each summer, Quinn uses her vacation time to travel to Moultrie to provide nursing care to migrant farm workers and their families. She also raises donations from local businesses to support the program’s operations.

Quinn earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Emory in 2005. She currently serves as the CPOE Project Manager at Emory Healthcare.

Honorary Alumni Award
Nell Hodgson Watt

Nell Hodgson Watt has been a longtime supporter of the nursing school and is well-deserving of the title of honorary alumna. Watt is the niece of the nursing school’s namesake, Nell Hodgson Woodruff. Over the last 50 years, Watt has been an advocate for nursing education at Emory. She was one of the youngest members of the original Associates when they formed in 1959. She continues to inspire nursing students through her speeches at nursing school events each year.

The School of Nursing Alumni Awards Dinner and Celebration was part of Emory’s 2010 Homecoming Weekend. For more information about the Nurses’ Alumni Association and its events, please visit www.nursing.emory.edu/alumni or call 1-877-676-0004.

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