College of Nursing graduates Class of 2013

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Holly Lambert
Wieck

K. Lynn Wieck, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, presents keynote address.

The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing held commencement ceremonies Friday, May 17, at Rudder Auditorium on the Texas A&M University campus. The college graduated 89 students with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

The ceremony kicked off with a welcome by Dean Sharon Wilkerson, Ph.D., RN, CNE, followed by stage party introductions by Health Science Center Interim President Jere Pederson.

Commencement speaker K. Lynn Wieck, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, the Mary Coulter Dowdy Distinguished Nursing Professor at the University of Texas at Tyler and a nurse consultant for health policy and workforce issues relating to generational needs of nurses, spoke to the importance of the worthy profession and quest for accomplishment in the graduates’ career path.

“I applaud your success and am honored to be here to welcome you into the nursing profession,” Dr. Wieck said. “It’s a great time to be a nurse, and your future is out there waiting for you. I wish you success and happiness.”

The College of Nursing also presented several awards during the ceremony.

Award Winners

Award winners, from l-r, Mendy Sharpe, Brian “Cosmo” Lin, Andrew Barner and Alexandria Wood.

Graduate Mendy Sharpe, of Pflugerville, was honored with the Advancing the Profession Award, which recognizes a graduating RN-to-B.S.N. student who has shown exceptional scholarship and creativity in the ePortfolio project.

The Community Service Champion Award was presented to graduate Brian “Cosmo” Lin, of Plano. The award recognizes a graduate who has shown outstanding service to the college, the nursing profession and the community.

Graduate Andrew Barner, of Round Rock, was honored with the Emerging Professional Award. The award is presented to a graduate who demonstrates exemplary professionalism, both in the classroom and in the clinical setting, as well as through participation in student organizations.

The Dean’s Excellence Award was awarded to graduate Alexandria Wood, of Kaneohe, Hawaii. The award is presented to a graduate who has reflected the philosophy of the college by a commitment to knowledge, discovery, and service and must rank in the top 25 percent of the class.

Bohlender

Graduate Jasmine Bohlender received the W.F. (Boy) and Johnnie Hasskarl Humanism in Nursing Award.

The W.F. (Boy) and Johnnie Hasskarl Humanism in Nursing Award was presented to graduate Jasmine Bohlender, of Dalhart. The award is named in honor of Dr. W.F. (Boy) Hasskarl and his wife, Johnnie, who lived in and served the Brenham community for over 90 years. With this award, the Board of Directors of the Hospice Brazos Valley Living Endowment join the Hasskarl family in honoring Dr. and Mrs. Hasskarl for their service to others. This award honors not only the Hasskarls, but the College of Nursing graduate that exemplifies the attributes of integrity, compassion, altruism, empathy and service.

A reception in the Rudder Exhibit Hall followed.

 
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.

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.

Commencements in Kingsville, College Station, Dallas

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Scott Maier

(COLLEGE STATION, Texas) — The Texas A&M Health Science Center will host commencement ceremonies for the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy on Saturday, May 11; College of Nursing on Friday, May 17; School of Rural Public Health, College of Medicine and School of Graduate Studies on Saturday, May 18; and Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry on Friday, May 24.

The Rangel College of Pharmacy commencement is at 2 p.m. at the Steinke Physical Education Center on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Speaker is Nicholas Popovich, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Pharmacy Administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. Students will receive their Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees.

College of Nursing graduates receive Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degrees at 10 a.m. on May 17 at Rudder Auditorium on the Texas A&M University campus. The speaker is K. Lynn Wieck, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, CEO of Management Solutions for Healthcare, Inc. and Mary Coulter Dowdy Distinguished Nursing Professor at The University of Texas at Tyler College of Nursing.

The following day (May 18) are two more ceremonies at Rudder Auditorium. David Lakey, M.D., Texas Department of State Health Services commissioner, will deliver the commencement address for the School of Rural Public Health at 9 a.m. Degrees will be awarded for the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.), Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.), Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.), or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

The College of Medicine and School of Graduate Studies commencement is at 2 p.m. Students will receive their Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in the College of Medicine, with School of Graduate Studies students earning a Ph.D. or Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Sciences.

Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry graduates will receive degrees at 10 a.m. on May 24 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. The keynote speaker is Connie Hastings Drisko, D.D.S., 1961 Caruth School of Dental Hygiene graduate and dean and Merritt Professor of the Georgia Regents University College of Dental Medicine. Degrees will be awarded for the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), M.S. in Oral Biology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Dental Hygiene, and various master’s degrees and certificates in specialty programs. The Ph.D. and M.S. in Biomedical Sciences will be awarded through the TAMHSC-School of Graduate Studies.

More information about May commencement ceremonies is available online.

 
Contact Information

Scott Maier

samaier@tamhsc.edu  |  (979) 436-0614


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.

 

 

 

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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.

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