Welcome to "UM Nursing in the News". The nursing community at the University of Michigan Health System is active. As you follow these links, you will see the many contributions our nurses make to the profession as well as to the community.

Archived Stories (prior to 2006)

Klimek featured in Observer & Eccentric article on Operation Smile
UM Nurses selected to attend Nursing Excellence retreat
Nurses present new model for leadership in medication management
Sigma Theta Tau awards given
Peg Esper to serve as Director on Oncology Nursing Society Board
Nurses present poster on management of perianesthesia patient flow
UM nurse works on bariatric surgery manuscript
Cindy Plunkett featured in Free Press article on reversing nerve damage of diabetic patients
UM nurses present at Psych Workshop
Stein wins Nursing Excellence award
UM Nurses work on Michigan Bowel Control Program
UM Nurses to speak at SUNA conference
Shlafer interviewed about Michigan Quality System
UM nurses to present at Infusion Nurses Society
Patterson receives Oncology Nursing Society award
Members of UMHS Retention Team to display poster for NTI, AORN congress
UM Nurses to present poster, abstract on continuing education - creating new linkages
SICU staff deliver gifts to family of deceased patient in Georgia
Dickinson presents talk on nursing issues in complex surgical procedures and poster on albumin administration
Nurses to present abstract on ICU collaboration
Dammeyer to present at NTI meeting
Ann Arbor News article about UMHS ED
Ann Arbor News article highlighting UMHS new stroke unit
UM nurses to lecture on family presence during critical resuscitation
Mark Gravel receives Shining Star award
Strodtman invited to advisory board of new journal and attend conference on aging
Lecture on family presence during critical resuscitation selected for publication
A heart for children
Quallich writes chapter on male reproductive system
Meldrum publishes hiring practices article
Garwood presents on multi-disciplinary clinic and intersex patients
Bertha presents on speed of recovery/quality of life
Kovacevich has article on home care published
Henkemeyer participates in two presentations
Kapp and Leonard represent MVN at fair
Wilkinson assists hurricane Katrina victims
UM Nurse Practitioners featured in Ann Arbor News Nov. 12-1
UMHS Nurse helps in hurricane relief
UMHS Nursing Administration group publishes recruitment article
UMHS Nurses elected/awarded
UMHS Nurse Retention presentation
UM Nurses selected to attend Institute of Nursing Excellence
UM Staff publish article in Journal for Nursing Administration
UM Nurses present at Spinal Cord Injury convention
Life Skill program translated to Dutch
UM Nurses present at Spinal Cord Injury convention
UM Staff publish article in Journal for Nursing Administration
Mike Valdes appointed to Advisory Board of MCN
Christopher Wagner has article published in JAMT
Retention Department's efforts noted in Michigan Business Review
UMHS Nursing receives federal grants
Lori Pelham published in ED Nursing
Denise O'Brien presents at British Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses Association conference
Deanna Beyer, marathon runner, featured in Ann Arbor News
Pam Pucci interviewed for article in online NurseZone
4A receives JCAHO certification as Stroke Program
UM Nurses present at American Radiological Nurses Assn Meeting
Lee Deichelbohrer co-authored paper on Radiology Outpatients
UM Nurses publish article on heart failure
Nurses at UMHS give presentations at Michigan Summit Conference
Work on robot-assisted laparoscopy on uterine fibroid tumors published
Survival team members presented plaque by Brighton police
Kathy Jordan-Sedgeman to serve on JCAHO panel; presents at Academic Psychiatry conference
7D staff to present at critical care nursing meeting in New Orleans
Staff presents posters at American society of Perianesthesia Nurses
Randy Richter and Mary Saverimuttu to present poster
5 UMHS nurses to present workshop at 2005 AACN National Teaching Institute
"Be a Nurse" exhibit highlighted in Ann Arbor News
Authors from UMHS Nursing published in Journal of Nursing Administration
Recruitment article accepted for June publication in Journal of Nursing Administration
Pediatric Rescue article published in Air Medical Journal
Laughlin has book chapter published
Coucouvanis' book on challenged children's social skills published
UMHS Nurses to present at Michigan Summit Conference
Guerriero to participate in Nursing Institute
Hickey to serve on Medical College of Ohio SON Board; presented at annual Geriatric Psychiatrists meeting
Quallich Nurse Practitioner of the Year
Quilting project chronicles stories of heart and lung recipients
Deanna Beyer volunteers in Mumbai, India
Cora Horgrow wins award
Sue Wright receives award
Lori Pelham interviewed for ED Nursing
Heather Holdread and Kathy Szakatis presented poster
Marcia Wilkinson, Dan Maixner, Kathy Jordan-Sedgeman present poster at American Psychiatric Association’s 56th Institute
Christine Pionk presented at AOHPH conference in October
Juanita Parry to present at the Electronic Recruiting Exchange Expo 2005
UMHS named one of 10 “2005 Premier Employers in Healthcare”
Karla Ahrns had chapter on burn care published
Mike Chesney has article published in the Air Med Journal
Desiree Blake elected as Vice President of the Michigan Nurses Association
Becky Eggleston named Fellow in Leadership Development Institute offered by Oncology Nursing Society
Elaine Philipson wins Association of Air Medical Services award
Denise O'Brien keynote speaker at the 6th Australasian Day Surgery Conference
3 UM nurses to speak at conference on Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care
Amy Perry appointed to the state Board of Nursing
Sarah LeRoy and Mark Russell published in AACN Clinical Issues
Judith Coucouvanis receives multiple appointments
Denise O'Brien selected for Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing
UM Nurses present at the British Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses Association (BARNA) Annual Conference & Exhibition
Denise O'Brien presents at the Sigma Theta Tau International 2nd International Evidence-Based Nursing Preconference in Dublin, Ireland
Desiree Blake selected as MNA Chapter 8 Nurse of the Year for 2004
Karla Ahrns had chapter on burn care published
3 UM nurses to speak at conference on Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care
Amy Perry appointed to the state Board of Nursing
Sarah LeRoy and Mark Russell published in AACN Clinical Issues
Judith Coucouvanis receives multiple appointments
Denise O'Brien selected for Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing
UM Nurses present at the British Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses Association (BARNA) Annual Conference & Exhibition
Denise O'Brien presents at the Sigma Theta Tau International 2nd International Evidence-Based Nursing Preconference in Dublin, Ireland
Desiree Blake, MPH, RN selected as MNA Chapter 8 Nurse of the Year for 2004
Maria Vano, MSN, RN, receives UMHS Shining Star award
UM Nurses have article published in June 2004 JONA
Susan Blitz, MD, awarded the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Excellence
Record number of nurses apply for summer 2004 externships at UMHS
Nurses and FRIENDS honored for excellence
UMHS Gift of Art presents: "History of Nursing as Portrayed by Dolls"
UM recruiting more men for nursing profession
Nurses recieve "Shining Star" awards in July
Nurses commemorate colleague with memorial award
Community Youth Program winner of Program of the Year award
U-M surpasses goal of hiring 100 nurses in 100 days
Housholder devotes efforts to education
American Academy of Nursing to honor Rhetaugh Graves Dumas
Recruitment and retention activities address nursing shortage
UM School of Nursing ranked #4
Marge Calarco appointed as UMHS Chief of Nursing
Marathon nurses
Elsie Nolan has national leadership role
Linda Vader receives one of ophthalmic nursing's highest honor
Cheryl Johnson wins 2001 Political Nurse Activist Award
Deanna Beyer Selected for Dept. of Defense Research Panel
MNA Awards to 2 Outstanding UM Nurses
UM Delegation Helps to Establish a Geriatric Center in India   

Klimek featured in Observer & Eccentric article on Operation Smile

The Observer & Eccentric Newspaper's Hometown Life section featured an article about local news anchor Monica Gayle's involvement with Operation Smile, a nonprofit organization that sends medical teams to foreign countries to correct facial deformities in children. UMHS's own Terri Klimek, nurse anesthesist, who is southeast Michigan liaison and medical volunteer for Operation Smile and Journey of Smiles event chair, was quoted in the article.
View article. (written by Nicole Stafford, Staff Writer)

UM Nurses selected to attend Nursing Excellence retreat

Nurses Martha Merkel, RN (PICU) and Alma Bennett, RN (ED), have been selected by the Michigan Center for Nursing to attend the Spring 2006 Institute of Nursing Excellence retreat in April. This is a professional development program designed to reward excellent direct-care nurses; encourage them to remain in the profession; increase their capacity for leadership; enhance their ability to be role models; and enhance their ability to attract others into the profession.

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Nurses present new model for leadership in medication management

Rhonda Schoville, RN, Manager (Nursing Information Services) and Karen Adkins-Bley, RN from Risk Management, presented a poster at the Michigan Health and Safety Coalition conference this month. The poster described the new model of strengthening partnerships across the UMHS, Nursing and Risk Management by partnering to provide a new model for leadership in the medication management arena. The poster summarized the work with Nursing Care Excellence and the ongoing improvement of clinical nursing practice in alignment with the department's professional practice model and efforts of ongoing JCAHO and regulatory agency readiness.

Sigma Theta Tau awards given

Maureen Goode Giacomazza, RN ( Palliative Care) and & Linda Strodtman, PhD, RN ( CNS and SON) were honored by Sigma Theta Tau International, Rho Chapter with the Nursing Practice Award for Excellence this year. Edward Goldman, JD (UMHS - Attorney Office) was awarded the “Friend of Nursing” Award. Other School of Nursing Awardees included: Mentorship: Dena Crawford, Bea Kalisch and Lisa Falzetta; Education: Donna Algase; Research: Toni Villarruel; Rising Star: Jennifer Cheng, Leadership: Dr Ada Sue Hinshaw; and Student Leadership: Megan Finn.

Peg Esper to serve as Director on Oncology Nursing Society Board

Peg Esper, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, (Medical Oncology), has been elected to serve as a Director on the Oncology Nursing Society's National Board of Directors. This is a wonderful opportunity to represent oncology nurses across the country in shaping policies related to oncology nursing and cancer care at a national and global level. This is the first time the U of M has had a staff member serving at the national level for this association.

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Nurses present poster on management of perianesthesia patient flow

Denise O'Brien, CNS, Beverly Smith, Manager (UH PACU), and Donna Maddox, RN (GE Healthcare), presented a poster entitled "Maximizing Management of Perianesthesia Patient Flow - Preop & PACU Online Tools," at the Association of PeriOperative Nurses 53rd Annual Congress, March 18-23, 2006, in Washington, DC.

UM nurse works on bariatric surgery manuscript

Denise O'Brien, CNS (UH PACU), and Bill Palazzolo, PA-C (Bariatric Surgery Program Director), had their manuscript, "Patient Preparation and Education: Bariatric Surgery," published in Perioperative Nursing Clinics, March 2006, guest edited by Brenda S. Gregory Crum.

Cindy Plunkett featured in Free Press article on reversing nerve damage of diabetic patients

Cindy Plunkett, RN (UMH Clinic Operations) was featured in a recent Detroit Free Press article by a staff writer who had taken part in a two year U-M study on stopping, or even reversing, nerve damage to the hearts of diabetic patients. She spoke glowingly of her time spent with Cindy during the study. Cindy manages about 30 research subjects at a time in three different studies. The columnist states “if Cindy had more time, I could imagine we might be friends” and Dr. Eva Feldman, a neurologist who runs the study calls Cindy “totally compulsive and exactly the kind of person successful research requires.”
View the article.

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UM nurses present at Psych Workshop

Marcia Wilkinson, RN, Supervisor (MVN) and Erica Dutton, RN, (MVN Psychiatric Services Department), presented at the February 24, 2006, Michigan Home Health Association Psych Workshop in Lansing. Their topic, “Therapeutic Intervention Modules for the Most Common Home Care Clients: Dementia Depression, Anxiety and OCD,” was very well received.

Stein wins Nursing Excellence award

Joyce Stein, RN (Holden), recently won the Nursing Excellence Award from the Southeastern Association of Neonatal Nurses, the local chapter of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. During her 30 years of service to the University of Michigan, she has devoted most of her life to helping sick and especially chronically ill infants and their families. She has served as the unit discharge coordinator for years, making the transition to home easier for babies with complex medical care needs. She also helped create the Trails Edge Vent Camp, giving ventilator dependent children a camp experience. She coordinated the volunteers (MD, nurse, RT) needed to staff the camp, as well as the supplies, living arrangements, and activities.

UM Nurses work on Michigan Bowel Control Program

Raylene Marcum, RN, and Anne McLeod, RN, Clinical Care Coordinators, Michigan Bowel Control Program, have provided leadership to a multi-disciplinary team in the evolution of this new program. As part of their work, they have developed many educational materials for patients and staff, and have put together a website which summarizes much of this work. They are also are presenting "Current Approaches on the Treatment of Common Bowel Problems" on March 9 at the Towsley Center for Continuing Medical Education's Annual Clinical Update in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

UM Nurses to speak at SUNA conference

Sharon Lanzetta, Nurse Manager (Ambulatory Care Nursing), and Susanne Quallich, Nurse Practitioner (Urology), have been asked to speak at this year's SUNA National Conference which is to being held in Kansas City on Oct 27-30. Their topic is “Development and Implementation of Urology Outpatient Clinic Protocols”. Susanne will also be speaking on “Basics of Testosterone Replacement in Men”.

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UM nurses to present at Infusion Nurses Society

Lorelei O’Donnell, Manager (Vascular Access Team), and team member Pat Butler, RN, have been selected to present an abstract entitled, "Right Line Right Time: A Patient Care Paradigm" at the annual Infusion Nurses Society meeting on May 10, 2006.

Patterson receives Oncology Nursing Society award

Phyllis Patterson, MS, RN, APRN-BC, AOCN, Educational Nurse Specialist, received the 1st Life Time Achievement award from the Ann Arbor Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, November, 2005.

Members of UMHS Retention Team to display poster for NTI, AORN congress

Chris Carroll, RN (UH PACU), Margo Winters, RN (UH ORs), and Laura Siggens, RN (Cancer Center), members of the Retention Team, had their poster accepted for NTI this spring. The subject of the poster is the Photo-Journaling project that was completed and displayed during National Nurses Week this past year. Margo Winters will present this poster at AORN's Annual Congress this spring in Washington D.C.

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SICU staff deliver gifts to family of deceased patient in Georgia

Dickinson presents talk on nursing issues in complex surgical procedures and poster on albumin administration

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Nurses to present abstract on ICU collaboration

Dammeyer to present at NTI meeting

Ann Arbor News article about UMHS ED

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Ann Arbor News article highlighting UMHS new stroke unit

UM nurses to lecture on family presence during critical resuscitation

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Mark Gravel receives Shining Star award

Mark Gravel, RN, CPTC, (Director of Donation Initiatives for the U of M Transplant Center) received the State of Michigan Shining Star Award from the Michigan Secretary of State, Terry Lynn Land. This award is in recognition of his outstanding work in promoting organ and tissue donation. Because of Mark’s commitment to this cause, UMHS is recognized as one of three hospitals nationally with exceptional organ donation achievements. Mark, who is an RN and a certified procurement transplant coordinator, works diligently to education hospital staff about the importance of organ and tissue donation.

Strodtman invited to advisory board of new journal and attend conference on aging

Linda Strodtman, PhD, RN ( Nursing Services & SON) has been invited to become member of the Editorial Advisory Board of a new academic journal, Forum on Public Policy, that is being initiated by the Oxford Round Table. Linda also received an invitation to attend the second annual session at the Oxford Round Table pertaining to Successful Aging. This session will be held at Harris Manchester Collage, in England. The interdisciplinary group of 35 people are being invited to make significant contributions to the Round Table discussions.

Lecture on family presence during critical resuscitation selected for publication

Maureen Goode Giacomazza, RN, MS, (Palliative Care) and Mary Berry-Bovia, RN (Emergency Department) whose lecture on “Facilitating Family Presence during Critical Resuscitation” was recently presented at the 7th Annual Evidence-Based Practice Conference has been selected for publication on the November 2005 issue of Nurses-Digest.

UMHS Nurse helps in hurricane relief

Alyssa Macfarlane Weaver, RN, (Unit 4D NICU) was deployed for hurricane relief in Hattiesburg, Mississippi after Katrina. She helped run a shelter nursing clinic and notes that it was a very humbling and rewarding experience.

A heart for children

"While they are in the hospital, babies and children still need the love and attention they would get at home," says Nursing Assistant Mindy Dobie (U-M Nursing '07), "so I incorporate how I would treat my own family into the care I provide as a nursing assistant." See this article, as well as an interview with Laura Chervin, Nurse Manager of Congenital Heart Center, in Mott's newsletter, Michigan Cares.

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Quallich writes chapter on male reproductive system

Suzanne Quallich, Nurse Practitioner in Urology, has written a book chapter, recently published: Quallich, S.A. (2005). Male Reproductive System. In Advanced Assessment: Interpreting Findings and Formulating Differential Diagnoses, Goolsby, M.J. & Grubbs, L., (Eds.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

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Meldrum publishes hiring practices article

Catherine Meldrum, CCC in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, has published an article: "An Overview of Hiring Practices and Job Requirements for CRAs and CRCs" in the October 2005 issue of The Monitor-The Global Voice of Clinical Research Professionals. \

Garwood presents on multi-disciplinary clinic and intersex patients

Carla Garwood, CCC, in Pediatric Urology, presented at the joint meeting of the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and the ESPU (European Society for Pediatric Urology) in Uppsala, Sweden. Topic: The design of a Multi-Disciplinary Clinic to manage our Intersex patients.

Bertha presents on speed of recovery/quality of life

Rebecca Bertha, CCC, in Vascular Surgery presented "New Silver Dressings for Venous Ulceration" regarding the speed of recovery and quality of life at a Towsley Center for Continuing Medical Education conference in Dearborn.

Kovacevich has article on home care published

Debra Kovacevich, RN, Manager, (HomeMed) had her article, “Standards for Specialized Nutrition Support: Home care patients” published in Nutrition in Clinical Practice 20:579-590, 2005.

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Toni Henkemeyer, RN (MVN) Development Manager, participated in two recent UMHS presentations. On October 21 she partnered with Opal Lesse, APRN of Urology, to speak at the Urology in Clinical Practice conference. Their topic was “Developing and Integrating Patient Education Research into Clinical Practice”. On November 11, Toni presented at the Aging in Place Conference, speaking on Home Care and Home Supports.

Kapp and Leonard represent MVN at fair

Karen Kapp, RN, and Kathleen Leonard, RN, both of MVN, represented MVN at the Pfizer United Way Agency Fair on October 21. Employees were given Monopoly Board Game dollars to “donate” at the agency booths. Due to persuasive representation by Karen and Kathy, $238 was presented to MVN for patient care. MVN is a Washtenaw United Way funded agency.

Wilkinson assists hurricane Katrina victims

Marcia Wilkinson, RN, (MVN Psychiatric Services supervisor) was deployed by the Red Cross to assist Hurricane Katrina victims in Louisiana for two weeks. Marcia summarizes her experience working in a large shelter in health services as intense, but quite meaningful. She suspects the full magnitude of the situation may not be felt for a few more months. Hoping to remain active in the Red Cross, Marcia encourages anyone with that sort of interest to investigate the possibilities. It is an experience she says she will never forget.

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UM Nurse Practitioners featured in Ann Arbor News Nov. 12-13

• Clinics' lure is patient-centered care (written by Anne Rueter, News Staff Reporter about Joanne Pohl and Carol Zastrow, Community Family Health Center, North Campus Community Health Service)
• What nurse practitioners do
• The nurse is in At 2 popular U-M clinics, nurse practitioners are at the helm (by Anne Rueter, News Staff Reporter about Megan Eagle and Elaine McIntosh)

Dierdre Baggot, RN, Carrie Dawson, RN, Michael Valdes, MBA, and Selale Zaim, (Nursing Administration) S. recently published an article entitled, "Rethinking Nurse Recruitment: A Return-on-Investment Approach." The Journal of Nursing Administration. October, Volume 35 (10). pp. 424-26.

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UMHS Nurses elected/awarded

Cheryl Johnson, RN (Unit 6D) was re-elected to her second term as MNA President during this year’s MNA convention.

Stephanie Minerath, RN (UMPNC – Vice-Chair) was elected as E&GW representative to the MNA Board of Directors.

Katie Oppenheim, RN (WHBC) received MNA's Political Nurse Activist award at this year’s MNA convention.

Dean Ada Sue Hinshaw, PhD, RN, FAAN, received the Walsh McDermott Medal for distinguished service from the Institute of Medicine.

UMHS Nurse Retention presentation

Juanita Parry, RN, (Manager of Nursing Recruitment and Retention) and Theresa Thompson, RN, (CSR) had their abstract accepted for AACN's NTI conference in Anaheim, California next spring. They will be telling the story of UMHS Nurse Retention. This is a very exciting opportunity to present at a conference that last year attracted over 7,000 nurses.

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UM Nurses selected to attend Institute of Nursing Excellence

Theresa Thompson, RN, (CSR); and Marianne Aranda, RN, (UH-4A); have been selected by the Michigan Center for Nursing to attend their Fall 2005 Institute of Nursing Excellence to be held at Crystal Mountain, MI in November. This is a selected group of only 35 nurses across Michigan who were chosen in recognition of their excellent nursing skills and contributions to the profession.

UMHS has been named one of 10 “2005 Premier Employers in Healthcare” in the country by the Premier Workplaces organization.
Read the press release.

Life Skill program translated to Dutch

William Borem, RN; and Nancy Mann, RN (Psychiatry); received a recent request to have their the Life Skill program (manual and workbook) translated into Dutch!

UM Nurses present at Spinal Cord Injury convention

Carol Ann Emerick, MS, RN, (Nurse Manager); and Lisa Danielson, RN, (UH-6A); presented at the national convention of the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses in Las Vegas. The topic was "Implementation of Ergonomic Solutions to Safe Patient Handling for Spinal Cord Injured Inpatients." This included photos of the new ceiling lifts that have been installed on 6A, 5B and 5D, as well as lateral transfer devices that are part of our Safe Patient Handling Pilot.

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UM Staff publish article in Journal for Nursing Administration

Carrie Dawson, RN (Mgr - Trauma Burn); Michelle Aebersold, RN ( Mgr - 4A and NICU); Nancy Mamolen, RN ( Mgr - ED); Janet Goldberg, RN ( Director - Cancer Ctr Nursing) and Cathy Frank ( HRD) had an article entitled: "The Michigan Leadership Model: Developing a Management Infrastructure" Published in the Journal for Nursing Administration, Vol. 35, No. 7/8, July/August, 2005.

Mike Valdes appointed to Advisory Board of MCN

Michael Valdes, MBA (Director of Finance & Business Operations for Nursing and Patient care Services) has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the Michigan Center for Nursing (MCN). The MCN champions actions across the state that strengthen the nursing workforce.

Christopher Wagner has article published in JAMT

Christopher Wagner, RN, (Survival Flight) had his article, “Airway…in the Obese Pediatric Patient” published in the August issue of the Journal for Air Medical Transport.

Retention Department's efforts noted in Michigan Business Review

UMHS Nursing Retention's efforts to reduce staff turnover rate have been recognized in an article by Tracey Birkenhauer in the Michigan Business Review.
View the article

UMHS Nursing receives federal grants

The UMHS Nursing Department received two federally-funded grants for nursing retention efforts. Funding will assist UMHS Nursing partnerships with U-M School of Nursing and Ross School of Business. See the press release.

Lori Pelham published in ED Nursing

Lori Pelham, RN (Clinical Nurse Supervisor, ED) was recently published in ED Nursing, “Are Patients with Life-threatening Conditions in Your Waiting Room?”

Denise O'Brien presents at British Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses Association conference

Denise O'Brien, MSN, RN, FAAN (CNS, PACU) presented four topics at the annual British Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses Association (BARNA) Annual Conference & Exhibition, 22 -24 June 2005, Hove Town Hall, Brighton, England, UK. The presentations were "Managing PONV - What Works and What is an Old Wive's Tale!", ''Eat, Drink, & Go to Surgery? Fasting Guidelines & Their Impact on Perianesthesia Practice", "The Implications for the Diabetic Patient in the Peri-operative Environment", and "Patient Selection and Discharge: Preventing the Day Surgery Admission". On July 21, Denise also represented the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) at the 2005 CMS HIPAA Implementation Conference "Checking on Security Planning for the National Provider Identifier (NPI)," Lansing, MI.

Deanna Beyer, marathon runner, featured in Ann Arbor News

Deanna Beyer, MS, RN, was featured in the Ann Arbor News July 13 for her participation in marathons across the country and the world. This year she'll be running close to home - Detroit.
Check it out.

Pam Pucci interviewed for article in online NurseZone

Pam Pucci, BSN, RN, CNIII, Trauma/Burn, was interviewed for a story in the NurseZone. She talked about her safety program for youths. Read the article.

4A receives JCAHO certification as Stroke Program

Unit 4A (Neurology/ Neurosurgery/Otolaryngology) received certification by JCAHO as a Stroke Program.
Rosemary Schuett, M.Sc., (Manager, The Medical Management Center) writes to UH-4A staff members Michelle Aebersold, Manager, Cathy Guerriero, CNIII, Marianne Aranda, CNIII, and Kate Maddox, NP (Neurology Stroke Program):

“ Before another week goes by, we wanted to be sure to thank each of you for the support you gave to ensuring a solid, positive JCAHO review for the primary stroke program. Your dedication to UMHS and to your work really shone through. The stroke program is considered by JCAHO to be one of the best-practice programs in the country and one reason is the true integration and teamwork among you, for your patients. Thank you very much for your patience, understanding, helpfulness and expertise. Plus, Kate has carried this burden on her shoulders with incredible grace and energy. We bow to you all.”

UM Nurses present at American Radiological Nurses Association Meeting

Nurses at Michigan made an impact at the American Radiological Nurses Associations Annual Meeting, March 31 - April 5, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Margaret Smith, Supervisor Clinical Nursing, Radiology, presented a poster entitled "CJD - Precautions During Neuroradiology Procedures" and Lee Deichelbohrer, Nurse Practitioner for Interventional Radiology, coauthored a poster entitled "Severe Radiation Burns from Multiple Fluroscopic Procedures."

Lee Deichelbohrer co-authored paper on Radiology Outpatients

Lee Deichelbohrer, RN was also co-author of a paper presented at the Society of Intervention Radiology meeting. The presentation was titled "Short Term Retrospective Evaluation of an Interventional Radiology Outpatient Practice at an Academic Institution.”

UM Nurses publish article on heart failure

Elizabeth Nolan, MS, RN; Sharon VanRiper, MS, RN; AkkeNeel Talsma, PhD, RN; Lance Mageno, MHSA; Anne Richter, BSN, RN; Gwen Kearly, BSN, RN; Cathy Kendrick, RN; Sherolyn Leggett, RN, BS; Jan Crissey, RN, AD; Thomas Tsai, MD; Gwen Blackford, BS, RHIT; Jean Shlafer, MSA, RN; Cecilia Montoye, MSN, RN; Rajendra Mehta, MD; Todd Koelling, MD; Robert Cody, MD; and Kim Eagle, MD, recently published an article entitled, "Rapid-Cycle Improvement in Quality of Care for Patients Hospitalized with Acute Myocardial Infarction or Heart Failure: Moving from a Culture of Missed Opportunity to a System of Accountability", in the Journal of Cardiovascular Management, Vol. 16, Jan-Feb, 2005, pp. 14-19.

Nurses at UMHS give presentations at Michigan Summit Conference

Nurses at Michigan gave several presentations at the Michigan Summit Conference sponsored by the Michigan Center for Nursing:

• Carrie Dawson, Mike Valdes, and Selale Zaim, presented "Rethinking Nurse Recruitment: A Return on Investment Approach"
• Stephanie Minerath presented "Promoting Pride and Respect for Nursing"
• Juanita Parry, Maria Vano, Theresa Thompson, and Jan Crissey, presented, "Asset Protection...Maintaining and Retaining Your Workforce"
• Jean Hensick presented, "UMHS Community Youth Program: Forging Community Youth Partnerships to Influence Another Generation"
• Mary Berry-Bovia and Nancy Mamolen presented, "Need Emergency Nurses? Grow Your Own"

Work on robot-assisted laparoscopy on uterine fibroid tumors published

Rexanne Sprague, RN, BSN, MSA, CNOR, Carol Hayes, RN, CNOR, and Arnold Advincula, MD, had their work, "Integration of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopy in the Minimally Invasive Management of Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids" published in Health Care Technology Horizons.

Survival team members presented plaque by Brighton police

Survival Team members: Dean Pode, pilot, Elaine Philipson, RN, Margaret Fast, RN, and Angela Galloway, communication specialist, were presented with a plaque from the Brighton City Police Department in recognition of the outstanding professionalism exhibited while aiding Officer Michael Zaccagni who was shot in the line of duty May 29, 2004.

Kathy Jordan-Sedgeman to serve on JCAHO panel; presents at Academic Psychiatry conference

Kathy Jordan-Sedgeman, MS, RN (Nurse Manager - Psychiatry), has been invited to participate on the JCAHO Commission’s newly established Hospital-Based, Inpatient Psychiatric Services (HBIPS) Technical Expert Panel to identify core performance measures. This panel will guide in the selection of standardized performance measures for use in hospital-based, inpatient psychiatric settings.

Kathy also recently presented "There's No Place Like Home: Providing A Continuum Of Care For The Psychiatric Patient" in New York at the Administrators in Academic Psychiatry Conference on April 16, 2005. The presentation described the partnership developed between Psychiatry and Michigan Visiting Nurses.

7D staff to present at critical care nursing meeting in New Orleans

UH-7D CCU staff members Gwen Kearly, Manager, Elsie Nolan, RN, Scherolyn Leggett, RN, Andrea Hofmann, RN, and Anne Richter, RN, have been chosen to present an Exemplar: CICU & Progressive Care Partnership at the critical care nursing meeting (Improving Core Outcomes Measures: CCU-Progressive Care Partnership) in New Orleans on May 8, 2005.

Staff presents posters at American society of Perianesthesia Nurses

Staff presented the following posters at the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses 25th National Conference in Chicago, April 17-21, 2005:
In the category celebrating successful practices:

• Increasing Educational Offerings for PACU Nurses. Toni Szpara, RN, Margaret Netti, RN, Marlene Reyes, RN, Catalina McEachern, RN, Janet Gilbert, RN, Elizabeth Lopes, RN, Kim Porter, RN, Denise O'Brien, RN;
• Incorporating Research in the Perianesthesia Practice. Catalina McEachern, RN, Margaret Netti, RN, Denise O'Brien, RN, Kim Porter, RN, Marlene Reyes, RN, Toni Szpara, RN.

In the category of research:

• Comfort, Satisfaction and Anxiolysis in Surgical Patients using a Patient-Adjustable Comfort Warming System: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial. Denise O'Brien, RN, Mary Lou Greenfield, RN, Beverly Smith, RN, Jane Anderson, RN, Michelle Morris, MS.

Randy Richter and Mary Saverimuttu to present poster

Randy Richter, RN, (TICU night shift nurse), and Mary Saverimuttu, RN (TICU day shift nurse), have been accepted to present their poster on "Preparation for Living at Home with a Left Ventricular Assist Device" at the national AACN NTI annual conference this May 2005.

5 UMHS nurses to present workshop at 2005 AACN National Teaching Institute

Elizabeth Nolan, MS, RN; Gwen Kearly, RN, Scherolyn Leggett, RN, Anne Richter, RN & Andrea Hofmann, RN (all from Unit 7B/7C Cardiology) have been asked to present a half-day, pre-conference workshop at the 2005 AACN National Teaching Institute in New Orleans in May 2005, along with several people from Middle Tennessee State University. The presentation is entitled, "Implementing Practice Guidelines to Improve Patient Outcomes - A Critical Care & Progressive Care Partnership".

"Be a Nurse" exhibit highlighted in Ann Arbor News

The 'Be A Nurse' exhibit, offered by the Community Youth Program, was highlighted in a recent Ann Arbor News article. Jean Hensick, MSN, RN, CS, coordinates the program and was quoted in the article.

Authors from UMHS Nursing published in Journal of Nursing Administration

Deirdre Baggot, Barbara Hensinger, Juanita Parry, Mike Valdes, and Selale Zaim had their work "The New Hire/Preceptor Experience: Cost Benefit Analysis of One Retention Strategy" published in the March, 2005, edition of Journal of Nursing Administration.

Recruitment article accepted for June publication in Journal of Nursing Administration

Deirdre Baggot, Carrie Dawson, Mike Valdes and Selale Zaim has had their article"Rethinking Nurse Recruitment: A Return on Investment Approach" accepted for publication for June, 2005, Journal of Nursing Administration.

Pediatric Rescue article published in Air Medical Journal

Benjamin Tung, (Survival Flight) wrote an article on "The Pediatric Rescue Airway” which was published this month in Air Medical Journal.

Laughlin has book chapter published

Candia Laughlin's (DON Amb Care) most recent book chapter "Management of Nursing Services" was published at the end of December in the book titled "Physician Practice Management: Essential Operational and Financial Knowledge".

Coucouvanis' book on challenged children's social skills published

Judy Coucouvanis' (CNS Psychiatry) book, "Super Skills: A Social Skills Group Program for Children with Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and Related Challenges" is now published and available from www.asperger.net

UMHS Nurses to present at Michigan Summit Conference

Nancy Mamolen (Nurse Manager) and Mary Berry Bovia (CNIII Emergency Dept) have been accepted to present at the Michigan Summit Conference sponsored by the Michigan Center for Nursing on April 27. The presentation title is "Need Emergency Nurses? Grow Your Own".

Guerriero to participate in Nursing Institute

Cathleen Guerriero, RN (UH 4A) has been selected to participate in the first Michigan Center for Nursing Institute of Nursing Excellence to be held at Crystal Mountain Resort in April.

Hickey to serve on Medical College of Ohio SON Board; presented at annual Geriatric Psychiatrists meeting

Kimberly Hickey (CNS Geriatrics) has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Medical College of Ohio, School of Nursing Alumni Association. Additionally, she has just returned from presenting "Understanding Delirium: Strategies to Engage Nursing Staff in the Effective Management of Delirium" at the annual meeting of the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatrists in San Diego.

Quallich Nurse Practitioner of the Year

Susanne Quallich was elected Nurse Practitioner of the Year by The Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners. Susanne is a valued member of the Michigan Urology Center, Division of Andrology and Microsurgery, and is one of only 38 Nurse Practitioners in the country with a specialty certification in Urology (CUNP).

Quilting project chronicles stories of heart and lung recipients

Laurie Hartman (NP Cardiac Surgery) coordinated a quilting project that chronicles the personal stories of heart and lung transplant recipients and their families. Fabric squares were sent to patients for decorating and returned to Laurie. The squares have been assembled into quilts and are currently on display in UH and Mott.

Deanna Beyer volunteers in Mumbai, India

Deanna Beyer, MS, RN, House Manager in Central Staffing Resource, recently spent time in Ambur and Mumbai, India doing vision testing on disadvantaged people there, and fitting them for glasses.

Cora Horgrow wins award

Cora Horgrow, NA III (WHBC) was selected as a winner of the 1st annual Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence in December.

Sue Wright receives award

Sue Wright, RN works with the LVAD Program. Sue recently received an AACN awards for “Excellence In Clinical Practice Non-Traditional Settings”

Lori Pelham interviewed for ED Nursing

Lori Pelham, RN, (Clinical Nursing Supervisor - ED) was interviewed for the publication ED Nursing for the February, 2005 edition. The topic discussed was the danger of wait times for patients with acute MI. Lori discussed the University of Michigan's ED Triage process for providing care for these patients.

Heather Holdread and Kathy Szakatis presented poster at the ACS Great Lakes Nursing Conference

Heather Holdread, RN, BSN (8B) and Kathy Szakatis, MS, RN, CS, APRN-BC, (CNS-8A/8B) presented a poster, "Filling a Gap: Implementing a Leukemia Discussion Group" at the ACS Great Lakes Nursing Conference in Traverse City on 10/20-22. Heather was instrumental in the process of implementing this group (along with Lorrie Brach MSW and now Barbara Rose, MSW) for inpatients diagnosed with leukemia. Patients and families have been attending the group since January '04. The group is now recognized by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as an official support group as no other currently exists in our immediate area.

Marcia Wilkinson, MSN, RN, and Dan Maixner, MD presented a poster, entitled "Collaborative Outpatient Care: An ECT and Visiting Nurse Joint Program", in Atlanta at the American Psychiatric Association’s 56th Institute on Psychiatric Services in October. Kathy Jordan-Sedgeman, MS, RN also worked on the project.

Christine Pionk presented at AOHPH conference in October

Christine Pionk, MS, RN (Nurse Practitioner in the Employee Health Clinic) recently presented at the October 2004 National Conference in Tampa, Florida, for the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare. Her topic was the "Development of a Nursing Competency Resource for Promotion of Ergonomic Safety in the Office Setting". This competency was developed with the assistance and guidance of Brenda Myers, an Occupational Therapist from Safety Management Services, and Ellen McKeown, from Risk Management.

Juanita Parry to present at the Electronic Recruiting Exchange Expo 2005

Juanita Parry, MS, RN (Manager - Nurse retention) had a paper accepted for presentation in San Diego at the Electronic Recruiting Exchange Expo 2005. Juanita’s paper is entitled, "Asset Protection: Maintaining and Retaining Your Workforce".

Karla Ahrns had chapter on burn care published

Karla Ahrns, BSN, RN, CCRP (Trauma Services Coordinator) has had a chapter about burn care published in the following textbook: Ahrns KS. Burns. In: Sole ML, Klein DG, Moseley M (Eds.): Introduction to Critical Care Nursing, 4th Ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 2005.

Mike Chesney has article published in the Air Med Journal

Mike Chesney, RN (Survival Flight) has published an article entitled, "Pediatric Firearm Injuries" in the Air Med Journal.

Desiree' Blake elected as Vice President of the Michigan Nurses Association

Desiree Blake, MPH, RN, Educational Nurse Specialist at Educational Services for Nursing, was elected as Vice President of the Michigan Nurses Association at its recent annual convention. She joins other UMPNC members Cheryl Johnson, Sandy Merkel, Katie Oppenheim, and Lisa Sylvest on the MNA Board of Directors.

Becky Eggleston, RN OCN, a UM Cancer AnswerLine Resource Nurse and Program Manager has been named as one of only fifty Fellows in a prestigious Leadership Development Institute offered by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS).

ONS Leadership Development Institute (LDI) is designed to prepare oncology nurses to lead the transformation of cancer care at local, state, and national levels. LDI’s goals are to promote oncology nursing leadership in the workplace.
Becky was chosen from a wide pool of candidates to participate in the yearlong program. As a Fellow, she participated in a four-day educational experience at ONS national headquarters, in Pittsburgh, PA, October 14 -17. The rigorous curriculum includes the development of a comprehensive personal leadership plan for each Fellow. Becky and her colleagues will work throughout the year to implement the plan with support of ONS leaders who serve as coaches Fellows will join a monthly online discussion forum focused on real-life leadership challenges.

More information on ONS can be found at www.ons.org

Elaine Philipson wins Association of Air Medical Services award

Elaine Philipson, RN (Survival Flight) recently won a national award through the Association of Air Medical Services. This award is for medical crew or crew member to recognize the work they have done, which can include anything related to the transport community. See her picture on page 2 of the November issue of the AAMS Newsletter.

Denise O'Brien, MSN, APRN, BC, Clinical Nurse Specialist, UMH-PACU, was a keynote speaker at the 6th Australasian Day Surgery Conference on “Controversies and Emergencies in Day Surgery,” 17 * 18 September 2004, in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Denise presented at the opening plenary session on 'The Perfect Score: Fast Tracking Through Your Day Surgery Unit', on a panel titled "Something’s Gotta Give: Staffing in Your Day Surgery Unit", at a concurrent session on nursing emergencies titled "Staying Alive: Post Op Airway Management", and at a nursing workshop on Patient Selection and Discharge.

3 UM nurses to speak at conference on Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care

Kirsten Engel, MD, Mary Berry-Bovia RN, (Emergency Department) and Maureen Goode have had an abstract accepted for the First National Conference on Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Care to be held in Dearborn, Nov. 12-14. The title of their presentation is: "Opening Closed Doors: Facilitating Family Presence During Critical Resuscitation". Mary and Maureen also presented this talk at the Annual MNA banquet in June, and have been invited to give it at Nursing Grand Rounds in December, and will also be speaking on this topic at next year's Evidence Based Practice 7th Annual Conference.

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Amy Perry appointed to the state Board of Nursing

Amy Perry, MSN, RN, Director, Nursing Information Systems, has been appointed to the state Board of Nursing. She will represent registered professional nurses who are practicing or involved in administration and with a baccalaureate degree. Her term runs through June 30, 2005.

Sarah LeRoy and Mark Russell published in AACN Clinical Issues

Sarah LeRoy, PNP and Mark Russell, MD (Congenital Heart Program) recently published "Long QT Syndrome and Other Repolarization-related Dysrhythmias" in the current edition of AACN Clinical Issues.

Judith Coucouvanis receives multiple appointments

Judith Coucouvanis, MA, RN (Clinical Nurse Specialist - Psychiatry) has been asked to participate in the Children's Work Group of the Michigan Mental Health Commission. In addition, Judy was also elected to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing and to the state board of the Autism Society of Michigan.

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Denise O'Brien selected for Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing

Denise O'Brien, MSN, RN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, UMH Postanesthesia Care Unit has been selected for Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing. The induction will take place in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2004.

UM Nurses present at the British Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses Association (BARNA) Annual Conference & Exhibition

Beverly Smith, RN, Clinical Nurse Manager, and Denise O'Brien, Clinical Nurse Specialist, UMH Postanesthesia Care Unit, presented at the British Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses Association (BARNA) Annual Conference & Exhibition, held at the Hove Town Hall, Brighton & Hove, England, 17-18 June 2004. Beverly presented “Integrating the Health Care Assistant into the PACU Care Team.” Denise presented “Cardiac/Respiratory Emergencies in PACU” and “Physical Assessment: Start Point to Planning and Prioritizing Care.”

Denise O'Brien presents at the Sigma Theta Tau International 2nd International Evidence-Based Nursing Preconference in Dublin, Ireland

Denise O'Brien, Clinical Nurse Specialist, UMH Postanesthesia Care Unit, recently presented, along with several other nurses, at the Sigma Theta Tau International 2nd International Evidence-Based Nursing Preconference, 21 July 2004, in Dublin, Ireland. Their focused discussion was titled, “Educational Transformation to Support the Creation of Evidence-Based Nursing Environments.”

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Desiree Blake, MPH, RN selected as MNA Chapter 8 Nurse of the Year for 2004

Desiree' Blake's professional and personal influence is far-reaching. As an Educational Nurse Specialist she is Liaison to the entire University of Michigan Health System Ambulatory Care nursing environment. She is involved in planning, development, and/or supporting ongoing education for Advanced MA Classes, promulgation of Advance Directives, Assistive Personal Development, Ambulatory Care Orientation, Competency program, Cultural Diversity, Immunization, Emergency Management classes, Medication Use Process Improvement, Nursing in the News, Nurse Educator Orientation, and Professional Practice Mode (PPM) - Accountability, She teaches Diversity, PPM and, occasionally computer skills, to our orientees. She is often assigned leadership roles in projects to change practice, such as Pain Management Steering Committee, where she is Chair of the Pain Staff Ed Subcommittee. At institutional meetings she is often the voice of the bedside nurse, advocating for what they need to know and the resources needed to do their job. She is an expert at navigating a very large complex health system.

She has served MNA in leadership roles, representing her colleagues on the Board of Directors, Congress on Nursing Practice, PAC Board of Trustees and Finance Committee. She is currently serving as an appraiser with ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program.

Maria Vano, MSN, RN, receives UMHS Shining Star award
from July 7 STAR

Maria Vano, Nurse Manager - Unit 5A, received a Shining Star award this month as part of our recognition program (center in photo, right).
Nominators wrote: "Maria has worked with our most difficult patients and families on frequent occasion, offering creative solutions and reassurance to families in crisis. Trauma Burn Emergency is lucky to have her as a manager on 5A. Maria works collaboratively with nursing, physicians and all staff members to a degree that is unmatched in the University and improves physician/nurse relationships. She tackles problems head-on, while promoting win-win negotiation. She encourages and promotes positive change and new skills for her staff, investigating and introducing new procedures and ideas."

UM Nurses have article published in June 2004 JONA

Barbara Hensinger, BSN, RN, Stephanie Minerath, MSN, RN, Juanita Parry, MS, RN and Kathleen Robertson, MS, RN had their article entitled, “Asset Protection: Maintaining and Retaining your Workforce,” published in the Journal of Nursing Administration, June 2004.

Susan Blitz, MD, awarded the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Excellence

This award recognizes the dedicated nurse practitioner advocate, who has made a significant contribution to the status of health care delivery and the practice of nurse practitioners.

Nurses and FRIENDS honored for excellence
From "Applause", May 2004

Sigma Theta Tau International Rho Chapter, Honor Society of Nursing, recently honored 14 nurses and the UMHHC FRIENDS organization for their outstanding achievement. The Annual Spring Awards Ceremony was held at Matthaei Botanical Gardens on Sunday March 28.

The following were recognized:

• Friend of Nursing: FRIENDS of the University of Michigan Hospitals
• Excellence in Nursing Practice: Sue V. Fink, PhD, RN and Michaelyn A. Page, MS, RN, AOCN
• Excellence in Research: Donna L. Algase, PhD, RN, FAAN
• Excellence in Education: Ann Whall, PhD, RN, FAAN and Judith M. Wismont, PhD, RN
• Mentorship: Ann Kaiser, BSN, MSA
• RisingStar: Alice E. Davis, PhD, RN
• Distinguished Service: Ruth Barnard, PhD, RN and Ann Z. Kruszewski, PhD, RN
• Student Leadership: Paula M. Graff, Angela Henderson, and Lina Diana Sirgedas
• Research Grant awarded to: Nah-Mee Shin, PhD, Candidate, MSN, RN

Record number of nurses apply for summer 2004 externships at UMHS

UMHS Nursing received a record number of applicants for this Summer's Specialty Care Nurse Extern positions - 74!

We continued to have the highest interest in Pediatric and ICU placements from students.

The vast majority of students were in-state applicants, with UM, Eastern and Michigan State University having the highest number of applicants.

After completing the interview and selection process we have made commitments to 20 externs. Placements were determined by matching student interest to a unit's ability to commit to the program and devote preceptor time to mentoring the extern.

We look forward to working with our talented group of Nurse Externs this summer!

UMHS Gift of Art presents: "History of Nursing as Portrayed by Dolls"

See a historical display of dolls portraying nursing from May 17 through June 16 at the North Gallery of Taubman Ctr., Level 1, University Hospital.

All are invited to a special evening celebration on May 17 from 5 - 8 pm, for children and other "kids at heart"! See flyer.

For more information contact Linda Strodtman 647-0189 or email: strodtma@umich.edu .

U-M recruiting more men for nursing profession
August 28, 2003, The Ann Arbor News. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission

BY LISA KLIONSKY News Staff Reporter

While University of Michigan pediatric nurse Michel LaPointe likes his female coworkers during football season, he says, he'd love to talk about the weekend games.

But "it seems like we're talking about breastfeeding or labor most of the time," he said, good-naturedly.

LaPointe, 27, calls himself the token male on 7 Mott. He used to have two male co-workers, but they left.

As at most hospitals across the country, men are scarce in nursing at U-M hospitals, accounting for 10 percent of U-M's nursing staff. At U-M, the first male graduated from the graduate program in 1964, and the first three men graduated from the undergraduate program in 1968, according to nursing school officials.

U-M hospital and nursing school officials say they'd like to see more men like LaPointe become nurses. Among the recruitment methods U-M has undertaken in recent years is giving a 5-point bonus on the standard undergraduate admission form to male applicants applying to nursing school.

After this fall, however, that bonus will no longer be offered, a victim of a landmark decision this summer by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding affirmative action in college admissions. The court ruled that U-M's undergraduate admission form must be revamped to avoid giving specific points to specific groups. The nursing school will now shift more toward an emphasis on the essay portion of the application, says Nursing Dean Ada Sue Hinshaw.

But the school won't give up on its goal of enticing more men into its undergraduate, second-career and graduate nursing programs, Hinshaw said.

Nationwide, only 4 percent to 5 percent of nurses are men, she said. To help get more men enrolled at U-M, nursing recruiters go to military bases, firehouses and EMT stations, "places you'd expect to find more men, with EMT background who are very interested in being able to increase their options," Hinshaw said.

Tradition and stereotype are factors in men's reluctance to choose the field, but those who enter the field report they have great marketability and flexibility in where to work and what specialties are in demand.

"There is a long tradition of nursing and nurturing and caring being seen as a female tradition. ... Young men see it as the image of femininity. And for an 18-year-old male, that's a tough decision," Hinshaw said.

But it wasn't for LaPointe. He used to visit his sister, a U-M respiratory therapist, and "I really enjoyed the hospital environment. ... I thought it would be worthwhile to see what it was like (to be a nurse)."

LaPointe knew he had found his niche when he did a rotation through Mott Children's Hospital during nursing school at Madonna University, which he attended on a baseball scholarship. What he particularly likes is the lasting contacts with kids and families who come through the hematology-oncology-bone marrow transplant unit.

"It's a long-lasting relationship. We see kids who fail, kids who make it. The relationships continue with the families down the road."

Professor Reg A. Williams is the nursing school's only male nurse-faculty member, and, in the 1970s, he studied why men went into nursing. He says "the myth is out there that somehow patients look at you like, 'What's the matter with you?' But I never had that reaction. I never once had a reaction of 'I'm not sure I want you to touch me because you're a male.'

"Nursing has been portrayed as a caring field, that women show more caring than men. Frankly, I don't think women have a corner on the market of caring," he said. "Men are just as capable of showing empathy and caring."

And many may not see the challenge of nursing and the intellectual capacity it requires.

Williams says he tries to get across to prospective students the opportunities the field holds. "Not many professions are like that. In nursing, you can do anything you set your mind to."

In his career, Williams, who graduated from the University of Utah in 1968 and was the only male at his nursing school, has worked in a wide variety of nursing areas. He went on active duty in the U.S. Navy and worked in every area of nursing but obstetrics. "From an educator's perspective, that was extremely valuable. I could relate to virtually all areas."

Ultimately, Williams specialized in psychiatric nursing, and today, he has a Department of Defense grant to study depression in Navy recruits. He also teaches and carries a small caseload of depressed patients.

The numerous opportunities and security that nursing allows drew David Markiewicz, 26, to the field. He graduated three years ago from U-M Nursing School.

"I'm highly marketable. It's one of the most marketable bachelor's degrees you can get today. There's a job anywhere."

Markiewicz says he thought it was "great to be a guy in nursing school," with 80 women and five men, although he says his friends did tease him a bit.

Neurology nurse practitioner Jason Schwartz, 29, whose first degree was in biomedical science, says he loves his job. He received both of his nursing degrees from U-M.

"I would tell prospective students how rewarding a career it is. You get to take care of patients, and it's amazing how gracious people are when you do little things. Guys have a hesitation about going into nursing. They think it's for women. I'd reassure them that's not the case anymore."

The flexibility of the hours in nursing, as well as working with patients, appealed to Dan LaGrou, 48, a surgical-intensive care unit nurse at U-M hospital, who has been working as a nurse for 13 years. He earned a bachelor's degree in history but then worked in hospitals as an orderly to earn a living. He realized he liked the patients and co-workers and chose to get his RN degree from Michigan State University.

When LaGrou first started out in nursing, he sometimes got surprised reactions from people when they learned he was a nurse, but that has diminished over the last 10 years.

LaGrou finds the reward of the job to be in working with patients and families. "You get kind of good at it and you see where you're helpful to people, to allay their fears and educate them on what's going on. ... You get a sense you're helping folks in a way you may not in other jobs."

Lisa Klionsky may be reached at lklionsky@annarbornews.com or (734) 994-6852.

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Nurses recieve "Shining Star" awards in July
From "Star", July 2003

Below are exerpts from the nomination forms of the two nurses receiving the award in July:

Rosida Burton, CT IV nurse, Radiology - "The CT IV nurse program was started a few years ago ... to increase efficiency. The program, along with other changes has decreased the time a patient has to wait to get a CT from 55 days to two days. I believe the program has done so well because Rosida is a part of it. ... Rosida always goes beyond (her job description). She will draw labs for the CT patient so the patient does not have to make an extra trip ... Many times I have heard her calling Respiratory Therapy to get an oxygen tank for a patient whose tank is getting near empty. She does whatever is necessary to help the patient and family - you would never hear her say, 'that's not my job.'"

Victoria Shieck, clinical care coordinator, Pediatric Liver Transplant - "Although it is difficult to select one example from years of exemplary care and compassion for her Liver Transplant patients, this one example stands alone. Those children who are transplant recipients have the wonderful opportunity to attend a Transplant Camp in West Virginia. ...The children's parents were told to take them to a specific site ... to await the bus to take them to camp. One family apparently misunderstood the directions and waited ... on the opposite side of the Hospital. The bus left without the heartbroken child. Vickie heard about this ... jumped in her car and drove the child all the way to camp in West Virginia. She also is a true 'team player' in every respect. Vickie has a great deal of compassion for both the child and the family and handles the difficult issues with common sense and kindness. She is able to achieve and maintain an excellent rapport with patients and families from every walk of life, both at the time of the liver transplant and all during the rigorous postoperative care and follow-up. She has ... the ability to combine very difficult and emotionally draining work with the pure joy of life.."

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Nurses commemorate colleague with memorial award
From "Applause", March 2003

More than a year after the tragic loss of Linda Smrcka, RN, nurses at U-M continue to honor her commitment to patients.

In commemoration of Smrcka, who was struck and killed by a passing vehicle as she heroically stopped to help an accident victim along M-14 last January, U-M nurses created the "Linda Smrcka Memorial Award." The award recognizes a kind-spirited nurse who, like Smrcka, embodies the values that are so noble in nursing.

On Feb. 28, the first "Linda Smrcka Memorial Award" was presented to Mable Walker, BSN, by Smrcka's husband, Larry. Smrcka's two young sons also attended the ceremony, in addition to about 70 UMHS employees.

Walker, who worked closely with Smrcka, was nominated for the award by her fellow nurses for her exemplary skills, attention to detail and dedication to her work. Other nominees - Sally Bolen, Tina Ellis, Robin Hirth, Kimberly Honan, Cheri Macklin, Andrea Mitchel, Tammie Page, Linda Porter, Anne Richter, Amy Ritter, Mary Saverimuttu, Karla Storrs and Rob Wonnacott - received a framed certificate.

The award includes a plaque and a monetary gift. The nurses plan to give the award annually near the anniversary of Smrcka's death.

Aetna's 2003 Calendar of African American History salutes some of the most dynamic and earnest African American nurse leaders in the United States.

Community Youth Program winner of Program of the Year award
December 2002

The Community Youth Program, directed by Jean Hensick, MSN, RN, CS, was one of three programs to receive the "2002 Program of the Year" award. See the article in the online Star magazine, and read Jean's acceptance speech.

U-M surpasses goal of hiring 100 nurses in 100 days
Written by: Krista Hopson, November 2002

The University of Michigan Health System has successfully hired more than 100 top-quality nurses a month before its 100-day hiring drive was set to end - and more positions are still available.

Despite nursing shortages in Michigan and across the country, the UMHS's effort to recruit 100 nurses in 100 days, which began in early September, was able to exceed its goal before the original late December deadline.

The success of this campaign is greatly attributed to the UMHS's extremely competitive salaries and benefits, in addition to some of the best working conditions in the state, says lead nurse recruiter Carrie Dawson, R.N.

In fact, the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) has called the UMHS nurse salaries the "most competitive in the Michigan nursing labor market." Plus, all UMHS staff nurses receive U-M retirement benefits, under which a 5 percent salary contribution by an employee is met with a 10 percent contribution by the U-M. Medical and other benefits are also extremely attractive, and most continue after retirement.

In addition to trying to attract the best nurses to its staff, UMHS puts an emphasis on excellent orientation, and on strategies to retain top nurses. Many of the newly hired nurses will be working together as a team to address areas that are important for retention of existing staff at UMHS.

"Our organization is truly committed to investing in increasing our nursing staff ratios," says Dawson. "So, even though it's not considered to be peak recruiting season, I knew that our institution would have what it takes to bring in the very best nurses out there."

With several positions still available, the UMHS plans to continue its hiring push to bring in more nurses into acute care medical/surgical hospital units and adult and pediatric inpatient and outpatient facilities. Advertising, job fairs and publicity will continue, with new on-screen ads making their debut this month at movie theaters in several cities.

Plus, the UMHS has recently joined forces with Johnson & Johnson, along with other area hospitals, heath care institutions and nursing organizations, to establish a nursing scholarship and grant program to encourage more people in the Detroit area to enter into the nursing field.

UMHS employs more than 1,900 full-time and 400 part-time staff nurses, as well as more than 70 nurse managers and directors. Nurses at Michigan are able to create the career path they desire by participating in a variety of practice environments, ranging from ambulatory care, acute care and intensive care, to emergency care, surgical nursing, Survival Flight air-ambulance care, and trauma care. Since 1975, UMHS staff nurses have been represented by the MNA.

For information on nursing opportunities at UMHS, call 1-877-NURSE-UMHS, go to our employment page, or e-mail: NurseRecruit_UMHS@med.umich.edu.

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Housholder devotes efforts to education
Written by Don Faber for Ann Arbor News, August 6, 2002

Sue Housholder wants you to be P.C. in the best sense of that term. In her case, however, P.C. is Preventive Cardiology.

What drives her is "helping people to achieve and maintain health," especially cardiovascular health. "My goal is always the patient," she said. "If I directly affect you, I've done my job."

Housholder is director of Preventive Cardiology Services at Domino's Farms, a program of the University of Michigan Health System. She also is a nurse practitioner on the staff of the U-M School of Nursing. And when she is not teaching students, she is seeing patients on clinic days.

Housholder is so good at what she does she received the American Heart Association's Clinical Practice Award for cardiovascular nursing at the association's convention last year. She also was the speaker at the U-M nursing school graduation in April; she was nominated for the honor by students. She spoke on "Choose Your Love, Love Your Choice," and urged students to love nursing and to support one another.

Housholder also leads the Washtenaw County "Operation Heartbeat" effort with the American Heart Association to get defibrillators placed in such public places as offices, schools and sports arenas. The device is used to restart the heart using an electric shock; its average cost is about $3,500.

"The AHA would give training, as one would train in CPR," Housholder said. "With so many Americans having heart attacks, we can save lives if we have defibrillators in place."

Exercise physiologist Tom Draper of Howell is a colleague of Housholder at Preventive Cardiology.

"Sue has taught me more about what it takes to be a professional," Draper said. "She's someone you want to emulate."

By the time patients come to see her, they've already had heart attacks. She sees about 50 patients, ranging in age from their 30s to their mid 70s.

"The aim of my program - the Coronary Artery Diseases Management Program - is to assist patients to understand their disease, to recognize risk factors and modify them," she said.

Housholder analyzes a patient's level of anger, depression and anxiety. At the assessment and examination, she identifies a risk factor and develops a plan that might involve weight management and exercise.

All one needs to know about Sue Housholder is that she does everything with passion and intensity. She travels all over the world, giving presentations on cardiovascular topics. She easily could have been a physician, but chose not to be.

"Nurses play an integral part in educating and assisting the patient in obtaining wellness," she said. "For me, it's embracing the discipline and articulating it. I can't imagine doing anything else."

When she was young, Housholder had a friend who died of a brain tumor. "I felt vulnerable," she said. "I developed a desire to learn about health."

A native of Dearborn, she attended the Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing. Other nursing degrees were earned at Madonna and Wayne State universities. She made studying the heart a specialty because "I was struck by how powerful an organ the heart is."

Divorced and the mother of a 15-year-old daughter, Housholder remarried last year. With her veterinarian husband, she likes to water ski, travel and participate in weight training. After 27 years in nursing, she doesn't mind saying she's accumulated some wisdom.

"In my motivation speeches, I ask if you were to die today, what would people say about you?

"As for me, I am a wife and mother. I also try to walk my talk. And I can stand next to any cardiologist and show why nursing is so powerful."

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American Academy of Nursing to honor Rhetaugh Graves Dumas
Portions of this article taken from The American Academy of Nursing website

Since its inception in 1973, the American Academy of Nursing's mission has been to provide the nursing profession with visionary leadership, facilitate the contribution of nursing leaders, advance scientific knowledge, and influence the development of health care policies and practices. The designation of Living Legend is bestowed upon individuals who have continued to make contributions of great distinction to the nursing profession, long after initial induction into the Academy.

The AAN Board of Directors approved the following individuals as Living Legends for 2002: Lillian Sholtis Brunner, Rhetaugh Graves Dumas, Virginia K. Saba and Gladys E. Sorensen.

Rhetaugh Graves Dumas, Vice Provost Emerita, Dean Emerita, and Lucille Cole Professor of Nursing at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, has had a stellar career as a nursing scholar administrator, leader and mentor. She has received more than fifty awards and ten honorary doctoral degrees in recognition for her professional endeavors. She was the first African-American Woman awarded tenure at Yale University.

The Academy will honor these Living Legends at a reception and ceremony on Thursday, October 31.2002 at 7:30 pm during the 2002 Annual Conference and Meeting at the Registry Resort in Naples, Florida. Join us in honoring the nursing leaders who have shaped our profession. For more information, contact Chandria Fulghum at cfulghum@ana.org.

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Recruitment and retention activities address nursing shortage
By Laurel Thomas Gnagey, from University Record, July 1, 2002

A look at classified ads in any newspaper reveals evidence of the growing shortage of health care workers, particularly nurses. A recent Crain Communications Modern Health Care article (May 27, 2002) cites a study by the American Hospital Association, that says 89 percent of the nation's hospitals report "significant workforce shortages, with a 13 percent vacancy rate for nurses."

U-M Health System (UMHS) has been very successful in hiring some 200 nurses since January, but a glance at the nearly 150 postings in the Jobs section of the Record shows that the shortage continues to be felt at U-M hospitals and clinics.

New UMHS Chief of Nursing Services Marge Calarco says the problem is not as bad nor as longstanding in Michigan as it is in coastal areas like California, but the shortage has been present in the state for two to three years, causing UMHS to take a hard look at how it can attract and keep valuable nursing personnel.

"UMHS is still very well positioned to attract nurses across the state and from other areas of the country," says Calarco, whose full title is associate hospital director for patient care services and chief of nursing services. UMHS pays more than most, and its benefit package is second-to-none, but Calarco says that while compensation is important, it is not the only factor that makes the system an attractive one.

"We offer a breadth of opportunities for people that other places simply cannot because we are extremely large, extremely complex and broad in scope. We take care of every patient population you can imagine. So we offer nurses the ability to develop their careers and develop themselves."

Professional development activities start with students in nursing programs and continue with fresh out of college nurses who are mentored by more seasoned professionals. The veteran nurses serve as preceptors or teachers. Opportunities remain throughout careers with cross training for other specialties and development of nurse leaders.

One of the newer initiatives is called "Discover Nursing at Michigan." Calarco says the program connects freshmen nursing students with UMHS by allowing them to shadow a nurse. This not only involves students from the U-M nursing program, but means developing and strengthening relationships with other colleges and universities.

More recently the program was expanded to include upper classes of students and nurses who have been out of practice for some time. The Health System also partnered with Madonna College to offer a refresher course for nurses for which the system eventually will pay the entire tuition if the nurse signs on to practice at UMHS.

While Calarco says recruitment is important in the competitive marketplace, keeping staff members also is a challenge, particularly at a university health system where many of the workers are here because they or their spouses are earning degrees. Since becoming interim head of nursing in 2000, and permanent chief recently, Calarco has placed considerable emphasis on retention.

Another study, cited by Modern Health Care (June 17, 2002), says 92 percent of 1,200 nurses surveyed had witnessed "disruptive physician behavior" and at least 30 percent of them knew of a nurse who had resigned because of poor treatment by a physician. Calarco says in most areas UMHS physicians treat nurses as respected members of the health care team so that incidents like this are not prevalent here.

"We don't conceptualize ourselves, nurses at Michigan, as subordinate practitioners," says Calarco. "The relationship with physicians is a critical one. When I have brought these issues up at executive medical staff meetings, there hasn't been a time that physicians haven't said, 'What are we doing to drive nurses away? What can we do differently to recruit and retain nurses?'"

Among the retention initiatives are efforts that focus on the role nurses play in the UMHS decision-making process. Calarco says nurses are critical patient care providers and, as such, are partners with physicians and other health professionals in delivering that care. A recently developed structure has created a nurse-physician dyad, or two-person management team, for each hospital or clinical unit. The team's goals are to foster communication and partnerships, and to design joint work processes and manage budgets.

"They help manage issues together. Some dyads are very far along, some are evolving slowly," Calarco says.

After an e-mail contact with nurses a year ago in which Calarco addressed the need for more staff, UMHS nursing employees told her, ' "Thank you for acknowledging that recruitment is important but what about us?'"

Recognizing that nurses were working long hours in the past, including considerable mandatory overtime, staff members were invited to attend meetings to offer input on addressing recruitment and retention. Over 100 volunteers came forward, says Calarco, and many have continued to participate in team initiatives to improve the work environment.

Other efforts at retention involve recognizing those nurses who have longevity. A special celebration for preceptors was held recently to thank those who mentor others. Calarco says feedback was extremely positive.

In May, UMHS brought 250 people together to "create our nursing vision and action plan." This included nurses from across the system, physicians, department heads, patients and school of nursing faculty. "We believed that to plan our future together we had to have a microcosm of the entire system," Calarco says.

"We are serious about bringing all voices to the table and addressing staffing, and we have to say that aloud. We are going to make a major investment around staffing. We have to hire enough staff to have a reasonable work load for nurses and a reasonable patient to nurse ratio so the patients are getting the best care possible."

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UM School of Nursing ranked #4
June 2002

The University of Michigan School of Nursing (UM SON) Graduate Program was rated number four in the country by a US News and World Reports Study released April 12, 2002. The UM SON has held this position for a number of years. The University of Washington is first, the University of Pennsylvania and University of California

San Francisco are tied for second. The numerical scores are very close with (#1) University of Washington at 4.7 and (#4) University of Michigan at 4.4.

Seven of the graduate nursing specialties are ranked. The University of Michigan was ranked in the top five in two of the specialties:

• Adult Med Surgical #3
• Adult Nurse Practitioner #4

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Marge Calarco appointed as UMHS Chief of Nursing
June 2002

Margaret "Marge" Calarco PhD RN has been appointed as UMHS Associate Hospital Director for Patient Care Services and Chief of Nursing Services. Marge will also continue in her roles as the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the U-M School of Nursing.

Marge's aims in her new position are both local and global. Within UMHS she hopes to continue to attract and retain world class nurses by creating empowered work environments, providing competitive salaries and unsurpassed benefits, and maximizing every nurse's creativity and talent to improve patient care and develop their careers. More broadly , she hopes to expand UMHS training programs for undergraduate and graduate student nurses, to educate the public about the value of the nursing profession, and to help doctors and nurses form more effective working partnerships.

Dr. Calarco recently completed a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellowship and a Johnson and Johnson-Wharton Fellowship. She is also a co-author of many scholarly publications and book chapters in nursing and depression, and has given numerous professional presentations. She has served in various capacities with the Michigan Nurses Association which represents UMHS nurses, and with the Michigan Hospital Association.

Marge holds a PHD from the UM School of Nursing, a master's degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She worked in psychiatric nursing in Ohio before joining the UMHS depression program in 1986. After becoming assistant director of psychiatric nursing, she rose through UMHS administration first as a director of patient care services for mental health and employee health, and then as corporate director for quality improvement.

Marge's appointment was welcomed with enthusiastic support from the UMHS Community of Nursing and health system staff.

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Marathon Nurses
By Deanna Beyer, MS, RN

Two UMHS nurses, Marleen Glasser and Rhonda Schoville, completed their first marathons in October. Marleen participated in the Detroit Marathon, and Rhonda ran the Chicago Marathon. The two became part of a unique group; only one-tenth of 1 percent of the population complete a marathon each year. Why would anyone want to run in a 26.2-mile race? I recently talked with Marleen and Rhonda to find out.	Marleen Glasser
Why did you decide to run a marathon? Rhonda: I did it because of a silly bet. I have friends from Wisconsin who have run in the Chicago Marathon several times, and they made a bet with me. Marleen: I wanted to attain this goal before my 50th birthday. For me, it was a celebration of my life.	Rhonda Schoville
What was the most difficult part? Rhonda: Mile 21 to the finish line. My legs were tired, and my mind was tired. I began to do some walking then. A scary thing happened about a week before the event. I had a foot injury at work and had to stop training. I was fearful that I wouldn’t be able to compete. However by Marathon Day, the foot had healed enough to allow me to run. Marleen: I "hit the wall" at mile 23. After that I couldn’t concentrate. I couldn’t add or subtract. I felt pain in my hips and feet. It felt like the time was going very slowly. What was the most enjoyable part? Rhonda: The crowd and the entertainment along the way. There was music at different points, even Elvis. People were cheering the runners on, saying, "Keep running!" Marleen: The support of my family and friends who were stationed at different points along the way. Other spectators were also great, shouting out encouragement along the way. What aspect of your training helped the most? Rhonda: Establishing a plan and sticking with it. I used a training program from Runner’s World. My husband, who also ran in the marathon, trained with me, and we ran in every kind of weather – rain, hail or heat. Marleen: I had taken a class for marathon training at Running Fit, which helped a lot. I planned a training schedule and stuck with it, no matter what. It was difficult at first to run every day, but then I got used to it and looked forward to it. Will you run another marathon? Rhonda: Absolutely! I’d like to run in the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota. Marleen: Yes definitely! I’d like to do Detroit again next year for sure. I’m originally from Canada, and was somewhat disappointed that the route changed this year from crossing the bridge into Canada. I hope they bring that back next year. What advice do you have for someone who is considering running his or her first marathon? Rhonda: Just do it. It helps to team up with someone else who’s also running a marathon, so you can talk it up and support each other. Marleen: Remember that not every training run will be a good one. You can’t get discouraged. Just pat yourself on the back and practice positive self-talk. I learned so much about myself through this experience. Start slow on marathon day, don’t worry about your time, and just enjoy the experience. Both Rhonda and Marleen said that crossing the finish line was a very emotional experience. After all that training and dedication, they had finally accomplished their goals, and it felt fantastic.

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Elsie Nolan has national leadership role
By Deanna Beyer, MS, RN

Elsie Nolan

Elsie Nolan M.S. C.S., Cardiac Clinical Nurse Specialist at UMHS, has been selected as Chair of the Certification Corp. Board of Directors of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. (AACN) Elsie previously served on the AACN Board of Directors for three years, and the AACN Certification Board for two years. Elsie joined the Department of Nursing at UMHS in 1978. She states that she would be happy to consult with any nurse on the process of certification.

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Linda Vader receives one of ophthalmic nursing's highest honors
By Desiree Blake, MPH, RN

Linda Vader, right, with Edna Ashy

Linda Vader, BS, RN, CRNO, Nurse Manager Kellogg Eye Center, was honored for her many contributions to Ophthalmic Nursing by the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN). In a grand celebration at its 25th annual convention, ASORN presented Linda with the Edna Ashy Award. Edna Ashy was the key founder of the Society.

This is a highly respected award presented each year to an ophthalmic nurse with outstanding accomplishments in the field. As part of the festivities, Linda gave a major presentation to an audience that included professionals across the discipline of Ophthalmology. Linda is pictured with Edna shortly after receiving her award that includes a cash stipend of $500. Linda is a prolific presenter on ophthalmic nursing topics locally, regionally and on a national scale. She has served as the ASORN National President, Secretary and Great Lakes Chapter President. She has also participated in the National Certifying Board for Ophthalmic Registered Nurses as Charter President, Board Member and a second term as national president. Linda had the opportunity to represent ophthalmic nursing at the Federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research as a Panel Member for the development of guidelines for "Management of Functional Impairment Due to Cataract in the Adult." Linda has worked as the Nurse Manager at Kellogg Eye Center since 1977. In this position, she has worked in partnership with the department of Ophthalmology as this field made very big changes. The Eye Center has gone from an inpatient unit and 1 operating room with many different patient populations in addition to ophthalmology to a free standing surgical center with multiple operating rooms, full recovery room, large scale pre/postop facilities.

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Cheryl Johnson wins 2001 Political Nurse Activist Award
By Desiree Blake, MPH, RN

Cheryl Johnson

The Michigan Nurses Association recently honored Cheryl Johnson, BSN, RN, with the 2001 Political Nurse Activist Award. Following is a summary of Cheryl's activities highlighted in her nomination:

Cheryl is well known on the local, state and national level because she has provided leadership in all of these arenas. Not only is she an excellent clinical leader in her specialty setting of the medical intensive care unit but she has also been an outspoken advocate for nursing in formal and informal settings. Cheryl began her foray into advocacy through actively documenting unacceptable staffing levels in her unit and using that information as a instrument to work for improvements. Cheryl has been a member of the University of Michigan Professional Nurse Council (UMPNC) Bargaining Team from 1986 to 1998. She has worked well within this group and represents this 2000+ member bargaining unit very effectively. She has held several positions within UMPNC including Chairperson. Association in UMPNC led Cheryl to membership in MNA's E&GW Cabinet from which she moved on to represent MNA in the Institute of Constituent Member Collective Bargaining of ANA. She has held several positions within this group also including chairperson. Her affiliation with this last group led to her involvement and now service as chairperson for United American Nurses in ANA. Through all of this Cheryl is very active in the local chapter where she is now Chairperson. In each of these advocacy rolls, Cheryl has brought a unique style of communication and effectiveness not seen with many others. She is very purposeful, straight forward and factual in her rhetoric and people listen. She is sought out for her expertise at the bedside as well as in the political arena. Recently, Cheryl answered the call for help from staff at Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C. She responded, participated in the rally there and was subsequently arrested along with John Sweeney of the AFL-CIO and Sandra Feldman of the American Federation of Teachers. In spite of this experience, Cheryl is energized in her desire to advocate for nursing workplace issues. Cheryl received her BSN from U of M and is certified as a medical surgical nurse through ANA. She has been recognized with the Medical Surgical Nurse Achievement award from MNA as well as the E&GW Achievement Award two times. Cheryl's nursing career has been one sprinkled with leadership and advocacy roles. She is very qualified to receive the Nurse Activist Award. Return to top Deanna Beyer, MS, RN, selected for Department of Defense Research Panel Deanna Beyer MS, RN, Clinical Supervisor, Central Staffing Resource was selected to be a Consumer Reviewer for the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program. Review panels convened in Washington D.C. in August to review national and international research proposals aimed at prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. Each panel consisted of 15 physician/scientists and 2-3 consumer reviewers. This Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program has a $175 million budget. The Michigan Division of the American Cancer Society whose headquarters are in Lansing nominated Deanna for this position. Criteria for selection in the nationally competitive process included (1) active participation in advocacy programs; (2) commitment to learning and sharing knowledge about scientific issues; (3) effective participation in deliberative bodies; and (4) leadership skills. Deanna stated that panel participation was a wonderful professional opportunity and that it was very exciting to have a voice in funding decisions for important research related to breast cancer. Return to top Washtenaw-Livingston-Monroe Chapter of MNA presents awards to two outstanding UM nurses The Washtenaw-Livingston-Monroe Chapter of the Michigan Nurses Association presented awards to two outstanding UM nurses at their annual banquet on June 20, 2001. The Outstanding Nurse Manager Award went to Carol Ann Emerick, RN, MSA who is the Nurse Manager of the 6A Rehabilitation Unit at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Carol Ann was honored for excellence in nursing management, including the promotion of professional practice and unit cohesiveness. This award also recognized her for steadfast nursing leadership and service through times of change. Carol Ann has worked for at the University of Michigan Medical Center for 30-years. The Chapter recognized Carol Williams, MS, RN, C as the 2001 Outstanding Nurse Educator. Carol is an Educational Specialist in Educational Services for Nursing at the University of Michigan Medical Center. She has assumed numerous leadership roles throughout her career, and has recently worked to forge alliances for nursing education with other area hospitals and health care organizations. Carol is currently a member of the Continuing Education Provider Committee of the Michigan Nurses Association. With this award, the local Chapter recognized Carol for excellence in the development of creative educational strategies, interdisciplinary collaboration, ongoing leadership, and enthusiastic support of the nursing profession. Return to top UM Delegation Helps to Establish a Geriatric Center in India By Kimberly Hickey, MSN, RN, CS, Gerontological CNS/NP An entourage of health care providers, mostly from UMHS, had the opportunity to travel to India for a two-week period in February 2001 to work on the establishment of a fellowship program in geriatrics. This group included six physicians, one nurse and one social worker. I was fortunate to be the nurse. Geriatric health care in India is a new concept in part because the demographics did not, until recently, demand it. Presently, only 8% of the India population are over the age of 60 years, but that percentage is expected to increase to roughly 10% (over 2 million ) by the year 2010. The need for health care providers who are knowledgeable and competent in caring for the aging population is growing. A geriatrician at the University of Michigan, Dr. Dorrie Rosenblatt, proposed that initial attempts in providing care to the older Indian population be done through an exchange of health care providers between the United States and India. Two physicians from India visited the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) for the first step in this exchange. I was asked to bring whatever I could for the nurses in the way of books, journals, and lecture materials. In preparation for the trip I gathered outlines from presentations I had given on gerontological nursing, I searched for appropriate patient education, and I selected books that reflected much on the theory and practice of gerontological nursing. Additionally, I surfed the Web for resources on Indian health care. I read about the socialization of Indian nurses, and found wonderful sources of information about the Trained Nurses of India Association. I also read books about the cultures, people, history and sites of India. All my preparation was well worth it since I was embarking to the other side of the world to a place I perceived as unbelievably exotic. I was not disappointed. We lost a day in our travels – going east through Amsterdam. Thankfully, the first part of our journey was focused on the sites of India such as the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Still giddy from jet lag, I even had a rickshaw ride through the narrow and exotic streets of Old Delhi. The sites, smells, and thrill of the city were exciting, albeit daunting. After a few days of relaxing and getting to know the country in all its glory and poverty, we settled back in New Delhi for a Geriatrics Conference co-sponsored with the India Geriatrics Society and the University of Michigan Geriatrics Center. Delhi is the capital of India and thus fraught with politics. The conference was not immune to these politics and so I was able to see first hand how it is so important in India to know the right people in order to get things done. I also noticed that there were no nurses or social workers listed as presenters except for our group. To me, the notable absence of nurses, except for attendees was pronounced. In the United States, geriatricians work in strong collaboration with nurses and social workers. We were purposefully given the opportunity to demonstrate this collaborative view of geriatrics by presenting with our physician colleagues. We strove to convey the necessity of collaborative interdisciplinary practice in geriatrics. From Delhi, in the north central part of India, we traveled to Kerala – a state at the southwestern most part of the country. Cochin, Kerala is at the 8 degree latitude from the equator so in February, temperatures were in the 90’s and it was very humid. It was quite a contrast from the cool briskness of Delhi. Kerala is one of the most populated states in India with the older population equaling about 10% of that state. It is also the state with the most medical and nursing programs in the country of India. Notwithstanding, it is the poorest of all states in India. This is where our greatest efforts for teaching and collaborating occurred. The hospital in Cochin, Kerala, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) has the beginnings of a geriatrics program. The hospital is completely privately funded and therefore does not partake of government funding and subsequent input. This allows for the development of locally-based programming such as geriatrics. Many of the services and materials for the construction of AIMS are being provided on a voluntary, donated, or cost basis with architects and construction specialists contributing from all over the world for this unique facility. The hospital is new and partially built. Despite its newness, with parts of it still under construction, it was open for patients. When complete, it will boast 800 beds and will serve an average of 1500 outpatients each day. People come to the clinics and hospital for their health care needs only as a last resort. Health insurance is unheard of as is preventive health care. By the time people arrive at the hospital, many are in need of an inpatient stay due to their debility and the added stress of the trip to the hospital which many times is by foot. The hospital is private pay with discounts offered if family members stay with the patients. All the hospital rooms come equipped with an extra bed for the patient’s companion – a same sex family member who takes responsibility for providing much of the personal hygiene and needs of the patient. Additionally, at this hospital, there is a cadre of volunteers from the ashram that funds this hospital. These volunteers are many times the annunciates from the ashram with a repertoire of talents from their previous lives and interests. We found one such volunteer, singing to and massaging a patient when we entered the patient room. This volunteer had formerly been an opera singer. Nursing in the state of Kerala is very similar to nursing here in the United States. It is based on the nursing process and takes an active role in the return of functional and physiological homeostasis. Nursing careplans and documentation at this hospital in Kerala would be at home anywhere in the United States. They are even faced with some of the same issues we face as professionals in our country: documentation, communication, and respect. The roles of medicine and nursing are clearly delineated in Kerala: the physician is to cure and the nurse is to care. One of the challenges we as a geriatrics team faced in our exchange was the need to focus on the interdisciplinary nature of an effective approach in geriatrics. Since we face this in our own country and culture, we were adept in looking at it in another. We worked with the team both as a team and as individual disciplines within the team. I am proud to say that the geriatrics approach in Kerala is a model of what the team could be in both India and the United States. Starting from scratch to develop a geriatrics program, the new team members at the hospital in Kerala have the opportunity to set precedent. The members of the team were handpicked for their professional commitment, experience and skills. There are not many nurses with advance degrees in nursing in India, partly due to the paucity of programs and cultural constraints. Those that have advance degrees, have them in either Medical Surgical nursing or Nursing Administration. The director of nurses at Amrita Institute has a master’s degree in Medical-Surgical nursing. In addition to being the director of nurses at the hospital she is also director of the school of nursing. This is clearly a testament to how few nurses there are with this type of educational background. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with highly motivated and dedicated nurses. The opportunity was one of sharing. Their enthusiasm was contagious. They are able to do so much with limited resources. In our rounds, the respect they gleaned from patients and staff was evident. I hope to return to Cochin one day, and continue collaboration with the nurses with whom I worked while there. Return to top

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