Decker honored with The DAISY Faculty Award

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Holly Lambert
Willa Decker receives the DAISY Award

l-r:  Susan Yarbrough, Ph.D., RN, CNE, associate dean for academic affairs, Willa Decker, M.S.N., M.A., RN, FNP-BC, assistant professor, and Sharon Wilkerson, Ph.D., RN, CNE, dean of the TAMHSC-College of Nursing.

Graduates often talk about hearing a faculty member’s voice in the back of their head helping through a tricky situation or difficult procedure. To honor these nurse educators that students hear – even years after graduation – the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAMHSC) College of Nursing recognizes outstanding faculty members annually with The DAISY Faculty Award.

Willa Decker, M.S.N., M.A., RN, FNP-BC, assistant professor of nursing, received this year’s award during a college-wide event May 14.

“The DAISY award gives the College of Nursing the opportunity to recognize model faculty for their commitment and inspirational influence on the nurses of tomorrow,” said Sharon Wilkerson, Ph.D., RN, TAMHSC-College of Nursing dean.

Decker received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston and her Master of Science in Nursing in psychiatric mental health from Texas Woman’s University–Houston Center. She also has a Master of Arts in individual, marriage and family therapy from the University of Houston and her post-master in advanced nurse practice from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

“Professor Decker is a professional example for her students and peers,” Dr. Wilkerson said. “Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for teaching, learning and nursing inspires and motivates students and faculty alike.”

The DAISY Foundation was started in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). His family was astounded by the compassionate treatment he received from nurses during the eight weeks of hospitalization and created the DAISY award in appreciation of those nurses. DAISY stands for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System.” The DAISY Foundation mission is to celebrate and show appreciation to the extraordinary nurses who combine their experience and education with their kindness to impact patients and families.

 
Contact Information

Holly Lambert

hlambert@tamhsc.edu  |  979-436-0129


The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides health education, outreach and research through its colleges and campuses in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen.

Physical activity key for older adults

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Holly Lambert
Sonia Turnbow

Sonia Turnbow, M.S.N., RN, WHNP

Research gives a whole new meaning to the old saying “use it or lose it” for aging adults.

Functional decline in the older adult is due, at least in part, to physical inactivity, notes Sonia Turnbow, M.S.N., RN, WHNP, assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAMHSC) College of Nursing. During Older Americans Month, we are reminded of the link between physical activity and cognition in the older population.

“Studies have correlated physical activity through the lifespan with preservation of mental function,” Turnbow says.

One such study from the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, which included 9,344 women with a mean age of 71.6 years, found a positive relationship between cognitive status and physical activity at any age. The study shows lifelong habits related to physical exercise are effective in preventing dementia, but increasing physical activity at any age is helpful.

“Exercise is a natural part of life, although these days we have to consciously include it in our daily routine,” Turnbow says. “Biologically, it was part of survival in the form of hunting and gathering or raising livestock and growing food. Historically, it was built into daily life as regular hours of physical work or soldiering.”

It is important to challenge your brain to learn new and novel tasks, especially processes that you’ve never done before like square dancing, chess, tai chi, yoga or sculpture.

“It is never too late to take up physical activity in order to improve health and quality of life,” Turnbow adds. “Older adults can benefit from resolving to make small changes in one or two lifestyle behaviors that are known to enhance well-being.”

Each year since 1963, the month of May is proclaimed Older Americans Month nationwide. The Administration on Aging develops a theme for the observance, with this year’s being “Unleash the Power of Age.”

 
Contact Information

Holly Lambert

hlambert@tamhsc.edu  |  979-436-0129


The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides health education, outreach and research through its colleges and campuses in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen.

Nursing students benefit from new “smart” IV technology

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Holly Lambert

Students in the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAMHSC) College of Nursing are getting practical experience with state-of-the-art medication safety technology thanks to new intravenous (IV) “smart” infusion pumps. The college recently acquired Sigma Spectrum Infusion Pumps and Medfusion® 3500 Syringe Infusion Pumps for simulation activities.

Smart Pumps

College of Nursing invests in medication safety system to enhance student learning of clinical skills.

Designed to reduce the risk of human error associated with medication dosing, the smart infusion system transforms a conventional IV into a computerized device complete with a customizable drug library.

“If a medication is being given too fast or too slow, or at the wrong concentration, the technology automatically warns medical staff,” said Sharon Wilkerson, Ph.D., RN, CNE, dean of the TAMHSC-College of Nursing. “This guarantees patients are receiving the correct infusion, at the correct time, adding another layer of protection in patient care.”

The new pumps are housed in the Clinical Learning Resource Center, a simulated hospital equipped with the latest tools and technology to enhance student learning on both the Bryan and Round Rock campuses. The Medfusion® 3500 Syringe Infusion Pumps are being implemented in clinical simulations in the college’s pediatrics course and the Sigma Spectrum Infusion Pumps in the adult health course.

Smart Pumps

Students learn on both the Sigma Spectrum Infusion Pumps and the Medfusion 3500 Syringe Infusion Pumps, pictured above.

With an estimated 770,000 injuries and deaths each year due to adverse drug events, smart pumps are a popular choice in hospitals. In fact, according to an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists survey, smart pumps are now used in 77 percent of hospitals nationwide.

“The new smart pumps will allow us to teach our students in a hands-on learning environment so they will be confident and well-versed with the technology prior to entering the workforce as a registered nurse,” Dr. Wilkerson said.

The new technology adds to the college’s other medication safety initiatives, including the Pyxis MedStation™ 4000, an automated drug storage and dispensing system.

 

 

 

-30-

 

 
Contact Information

Holly Lambert

hlambert@tamhsc.edu  |  979-436-0129


The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides health education, outreach and research through its colleges and campuses in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen.

CON hosts Legacy Awards to honor local nurses

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Holly Lambert

To recognize the nursing profession and honor leadership, innovation and compassion in nursing practice, the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAMHSC) College of Nursing hosted Building a Legacy 2013 on April 2 at the Bryan campus.

“The College of Nursing is thrilled to recognize outstanding Brazos Valley nurses who daily demonstrate excellence in nursing practice,” said Sharon Wilkerson, Ph.D., RN, CNE, dean of the TAMHSC-College of Nursing. “Nurses are key members of the health care team, and we are honored to highlight their accomplishments with The Legacy Awards.”

Nurses were recognized with awards in the following categories:

  • Leadership – Judith Greer, Brazos Valley Community Health Center. A nurse for 33 years, Greer serves as clinic manager and oversees daily operations of the facility.
  • Compassion – Shenita Summers, St. Joseph Regional Health Center. A nurse for 32 years, her primary responsibilities include being the primary caregiver, or the “eyes, ears and hands” for the patient. Summers is a staff nurse specializing in the medical/surgical arena.
  • Legacy – Matt Hoffman ’10, St. Joseph Regional Health Center. Hoffman is the stroke unit charge nurse and a clinical teaching assistant with the TAMHSC-College of Nursing. As charge nurse, his responsibilities include using leadership skills to assign patients, maintaining focus on patient flow, patient outcomes, staff productivity, and patient and staff satisfaction. He is also currently pursuing his Doctor of Nursing Practice.

 

Each Legacy Award recipient received a statuette to commemorate his or her achievement, and all nominees were recognized with a certificate and lapel pin.

The event also featured a wine/cheese reception and insider view of the TAMHSC Clinical Learning Resource Center, a 24,000-square-foot simulated health care environment equipped with the latest tools and technology to enhance student learning.

To view photos from the event, visit our Flickr page.

 

 

 
Contact Information

Holly Lambert

hlambert@tamhsc.edu  |  979-436-0129


The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides health education, outreach and research through its colleges and campuses in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen.

Nursing students inducted into honor society

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Holly Lambert
Sigma Theta Tau inductees

l-r, front: Laura McIlveene, Laura Elizondo, Matney Smitherman, Heather Murray, Kelsey Alford, Catherine D’Abate, Kari Day and Shelley White-Corey
l-r, back: Brian Holland, Alexandria Wood, Katie Eckermann, Deborah Heim, Lauren Nikolich, Erin Sissell, Mikki Murr and Cody Bruce

Twenty-seven students from the Texas A&M Health Science Center (TAMHSC) College of Nursing and three nurse leaders were inducted into the Phi Iota Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing during an induction ceremony in Bryan on April 7.

Sigma Theta Tau was established in 1922 and is one of the largest international nursing organizations with more than 130,000 active members. The organization supports the learning, knowledge and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health care worldwide.

In 2011, the TAMHSC Phi Iota Chapter was named as a new charter chapter in Sigma Theta Tau International.  This chapter is active in bringing together nursing students and nurse leaders in Bryan/College Station and Round Rock.

In order to be nominated for membership, undergraduate nursing candidates must have completed at least one half of the nursing curriculum, maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average and be ranked in the top 35 percent of the graduating class. The students must also demonstrate superior scholastic achievement, academic integrity and professional leadership potential. Nurse leaders must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree, be legally recognized to practice nursing and demonstrate achievement in nursing.

Students inducted into the Phi Iota Chapter include Kelsey Alford, Jasmine Bohlender, Kirsten Bond, Victoria Branyon, Catherine D’Abate, Kari Day, Katie Eckermann, Laura Elizondo, David Flores, Kaci Hackfeld, Ashley Hagan, Deborah Heim, Jonathan Katz, Joanna Lemm, Laura McIlveene, Meredith Morrow, Mikki Murr, Heather Murray, Lauren Nikolich, Nancy Penn, Julie Roman, Keiko Schroader, Austin Shultea, Erin Sissell, Matney Smitherman, Kathryn Wilson and Alexandria Wood. Nurse leaders inducted include Brian Holland, Shelley White-Corey and Cody Bruce.

TAMHSC Phi Iota officers for 2013-2014 are Angela Mountain, president; Anne Rathke, secretary; Wanda Seaback, treasurer; and Kathryn Cochran and Karen Landry, counselors.

The Phi Iota Chapter is open to professional nurses practicing in Bryan/College Station and Round Rock. Those interested in membership are encouraged to contact Kathryn Cochran, at 979-436-0121 or cochran@tamhsc.edu.

 
Contact Information

Holly Lambert

hlambert@tamhsc.edu  |  979-436-0129


The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides health education, outreach and research through its colleges and campuses in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen.

« Previous Entries
Go To Top »