Alumni Newsletter - Summer 2003

The University of Texas at Austin | School of Nursing

The School of Nursing is pleased to bring this electronic newsletter to its alumni and friends.

It's hard to believe that summer is upon us and another academic year has past. In May, we sent more than 100 nursing graduates out into the world. Some of their success stories in finding employment in the current job market Ñ when other college graduates are struggling Ñhave even been featured in newspaper articles focusing on the bad economy. Good Luck to all of them.

We had a busy spring and have many items to report to you. Also, we recently learned that the School is ranked No. 10 by the National Institutes of Health for total grant funding.. This is huge news, and I hope you will join me in congratulating our nursing faculty researchers.

Hope you have a safe and cool summer.
Dolores Sands, Dean

UPCOMING EVENTS

School of Nursing Foundation Advisory Council
Fall 2003 meeting, October 17.

School of Nursing School Advisory Council
Fall 2003 meeting, October 24.

RECENT EVENTS

Foundation Advisory Council meets for its Spring 2003 Meeting
On March 28 our Foundation Advisory Council met to discuss recent developments in our School and the steps we are taking to become one of the best nursing schools in the country. Patricia Carter, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.S., Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing, gave a short presentation on her current research project titled ÒFamily Caregivers: The Importance of a Good NightÕs Sleep.Ó During working subcommittees, members suggested possible new members, new ideas for fundraising for the School, and ways to improve our website.

School of Nursing sponsors lecture on recent developments in the field of genetics
The Annual Cain Lectureship in Genetics was held March 28 in the Joe C. Thompson Conference Center. C. Thomas Caskey, M.D., F.A.C.P., President and Chief Executive Officer of Cogene Biotech Ventures, Ltd., presented his lecture on “Medical Revelations are Nursing’s Challenge.” Dr. Caskey’s lecture focused on the recent developments in the medical field, especially in genetics, and how nursing has changed, and still needs to change, to adapt to these advancements.

Alumni welcomed back to the School for the All-Class Alumni Reunion
Approximately 150 alumni participated in the various activities on April 24 and 25. The banner story on the UT website during the reunion week was on the Children’s Wellness Center. We are pleased to announce the following sponsors for our reunion: Girling Health Care, Inc. for all Thursday events; Seton Health Care Network and St. David’s Healthcare Partnership for the Friday meals; Kathleen McGinn Aronson, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Gift Planning at The University of Texas at Austin; and the School of Nursing African American Breast Cancer Outreach funded by the Texas Cancer Society. Due to the generous gifts from these sponsors, a portion of the registration fees will go to the Children’s Wellness Center.

School of Nursing holds Spring 2003 Commencement
The School of Nursing awarded 69 undergraduate and 40 graduate degrees at the spring convocation on May 17. Dr. Dennis Perrotta, State of Texas epidemiologist, was the guest speaker. Dean Dolores Sands presided at the convocation, which was held in the LBJ Auditorium.

Center holds annual Summer Research Institute
The Center for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Research in Underserved Populations (CHPR) held its third annual Summer Research Institute June 9-11 at the School of Nursing. The institute is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing funding from federal sources (primarily NIH) to conduct research in health promotion and disease prevention in minority and underserved populations. Researchers in nursing, psychology, social work, health education, pharmacy and other health-related disciplines participated. In addition to learning the "how to's" of obtaining research funding, participates heard from several featured speakers.

GENERAL NEWS

New video now available highlighting School of Nursing Children’s Wellness Center
This spring, two School of Nursing staff members, Matthew Listiak and Dr. Michael Erard, produced a video about the Children’s Wellness Center. Called “Let the Children Guide Us,” the video introduces this unique community-based clinic and tells why it’s special to the School of Nursing and the community of Del Valle. We recently talked to Mr. Listiak and Dr. Erard to find out about the making of the video.

School of Nursing students featured in banner story on UT website
Recent School of Nursing graduates and identical twins Amanda and Courtney Holmes are two of the students highlighted in the web banner story on the UT website, which ran the week of graduation.

FACULTY NEWS

School of Nursing says goodbye to two faculty members

Charles B. (Chuck) Perkins, M.S., R.N., C.N.S., Instructor in Clinical Nursing in Holistic Adult Health and Nursing Systems, has decided to retire after teaching at the School of Nursing since the fall of 1993. A retired army nurse, Dr. Perkins has been a laboratory technologist, an LVN, and an RN throughout his professional career. Dr. Perkins is active in Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society of Nursing, and is a member of the American Nurses Association and the Texas Nurses Association.

Dr. Perkins plans to keep busy this summer getting his last daughter married off and staying active in the Balcones Lions Club. His first big hope is to travel to Maine in September. It has been 20 years since he and his wife, Kathy, have seen the fall color change that is usually so beautiful in the Northeast. They will be traveling in their 34-foot motor home. Dr. Perkins also plans to spend more time with his seven grandchildren in northeastern Oklahoma. They range in age from one to eight years old, and those are definitely not years that should be missed. He intends to continue to attend a few of his favorite lectures at the School of Nursing, and has offered to “fill in” in case of an emergency. Dr. Perkins has been a wonderful asset to the School of Nursing, and we hope he keeps his promise to stay in touch.

Dorothy L. Gordon, D.N.Sc., R.N., F.A.A.N., Associate Professor in Holistic Adult Health and Nursing Systems, is retiring after teaching at the School of Nursing since 1997. Dr. Gordon has been the Coordinator for the Nursing Systems Program at the School since 2000, and was Division Chair of the Community Health and Nursing Systems for two years before that. Dr. Perkins is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society of Nursing, and of Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society.

Dr. Gordon has moved back to Maryland to spend time with her many friends. We wish her all the best in her retirement.

School of Nursing faculty receive funding for innovative research

Eun-Ok Im, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N., C.N.S., Associate Professor in Family and Public Health Nursing, recently received $1.8 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research for her project “Cancer Pain Management-Decision Support Computer Program.” Dr. Im’s project began this past February, and will receive funding through January 31, 2008. Despite widespread dissemination and adoption of standard guidelines for cancer pain management, erroneous assessments and subsequent under treatment and mistreatment of cancer pain are still common occurrences, disproportionately affecting women and ethnic minorities. The purpose of this study is to develop a standardized decision support computer program with self-adaptation capabilities that can be used by nurses as an assessment support tool for dealing effectively with gender and ethnic differences in cancer pain experiences based on cancer patients’ own views and experiences.

Patricia A. Carter, Ph.D., R.N., Assistant Professor in Holistic Adult Health and Nursing Systems, recently received $547,404 in funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health for her project “Development of Caregivers Sleep Intervention.” Funding for her project will last through March 31, 2006. Family caregivers are expected to provide hundreds of thousands of hours of care for people diagnosed with cancer in the United States. As a result of providing this care, family caregivers report difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep, moderate to severe depressive symptoms and poorer quality of life. The specific aims of this study are to explore the feasibility of the Caregiver Sleep Intervention with family caregivers of persons with cancer and to examine the effects of the intervention on caregiver sleep quality, depressive symptoms and quality of life.

Sharon Dormire, Ph.D., R.N., Assistant Professor in Family and Public Health Nursing, recently received funding for the Summer 2003 from The University of Texas at Austin Summer Research Assignment for her project “The Hot Flash Experience of Diabetic Women at Menopause.” Her study will provide initial comparative descriptive data to examine if there are differences between the hot flashes experienced by diabetic women and those of non-diabetic women.

ALUMNI NEWS

David Marshall, J.D., M.S.N., R.N., C.N.A.A., Chief Nursing Officer at the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals and Clinics, has informed us that UTMB has been chosen as a beta site for the post-baccalaureate nurse residency demonstration project sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. UTMB is the only site for the residency in the State of Texas. Mr. Marshall is not only a 1982 BSN graduate from the School of Nursing, he is also a life member of our Alumni Association.

Rachel Spector, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Associate Professor at Boston College, graduated from The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing in 1983 with her Ph.D. For the past two winters Dr. Spector and her husband have lived in Alicante, Spain. While there she had the opportunity to both learn the language and culture of her new home, and to serve as a Colaboradora Honorifica (honorary collaborator) in the School of Nursing. She lectured in the doctoral program and covered topics related to cultural diversity. The issues related to diversity -immigration, language, religion, poverty, and differing health beliefs and practices- in Spain are similar to the ones experienced in the United States. Her book, Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness, was adapted and published in Spain in 2003 as Las Culturas de la Salud.

Joe Whitaker, a 1977 graduate from the School of Nursing, has recently informed us that he has been asked by the White House to go to Iraq as a special advisor to the Ministry of Health. He will serve as Director of Facilities, and he will be charged with getting the hospitals in working order and giving his input on policy concerning Iraq’s new health care delivery system. Mr. Whitaker has served on the Federal Service Impasses Panel, which resolves labor disputes in the federal sector, for the past year and the Department of Defense was so impressed with his training they asked him to be part of the interim government of Iraq. During his time in Iraq Mr. Whitaker will stay with the ambassador in Saddam’s palace, which, he is happy to report, has air conditioning when the power is turned on.

“Fabulous Five” includes three alumni
District Five of the Texas Nurses Association recently announced this year’s winning nurses from more than 5000 registered nurses in nine Central Texas counties. The winners are selected by their peers on leadership, community service, compassion, impact as a role model, and significant contributions to the field of nursing. Three of the five winners are graduates of the School of Nursing. Rose Koneski, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is the Clinical Manager and Interim Director of Transplant Services at Seton Medical Center. Dawn Murray, MSN, RN, CS, FNP, is a Nurse Practitioner at The Clinic at Brackenridge of Brackenridge Hospital. Mary Viney, RN, MSN, is the Director of Patient Care Services at Seton Northwest Hospital

Please feel free to forward this e-newsletter to other School alumni and friends.

Please visit the following School of Nursing Web sites for more information:

School of Nursing in the News

Alumni and Friends

Alumni Updates

Calendar of Events

About this e-mail

This electronic newsletter is published three times per year and is designed to keep faculty, staff and friends informed about The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. To ensure we meet your needs, please share your comments and suggestions by sending an e-mail to Margaret Hill. This e-mail message was sent to you because you have provided your e-mail address to The University of Texas at Austin or to the School of Nursing. If you do not wish to receive future e-mail messages from the School of Nursing, you may unsubscribe now by sending an e-mail to Margaret Hill with the following in the subject line: unsubscribe newsletter. If you prefer to receive a text version of the newsletter send an email to Margaret Hill with the following in the subject line: subscribe alumninewstext firstname lastname If you wish to subscribe to this publication, send an email to Margaret Hill with the following in the subject line: subscribe newsletter firstname lastname .



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In May, we sent more than 100 nursing graduates out into the world. Some of their success stories in finding employment in the current job market Ñ when other college graduates are struggling Ñhave even been featured in newspaper articles focusing on the bad economy. Good Luck to all of them. We had a busy spring and have many items to report to you. Also, we recently learned that the School is ranked No. 10 by the National Institutes of Health for total grant funding.. This is huge news, and I hope you will join me in congratulating our nursing faculty researchers. Hope you have a safe and cool summer. Dolores Sands, Dean UPCOMING EVENTS School of Nursing Foundation Advisory Council Fall 2003 meeting, October 17. School of Nursing School Advisory Council Fall 2003 meeting, October 24. RECENT EVENTS Foundation Advisory Council meets for its Spring 2003 Meeting On March 28 our Foundation Advisory Council met to discuss recent developments in our School and the steps we are taking to become one of the best nursing schools in the country. Patricia Carter, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.S., Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing, gave a short presentation on her current research project titled ÒFamily Caregivers: The Importance of a Good NightÕs Sleep.Ó During working subcommittees, members suggested possible new members, new ideas for fundraising for the School, and ways to improve our website. School of Nursing sponsors lecture on recent developments in the field of genetics The Annual Cain Lectureship in Genetics was held March 28 in the Joe C. Thompson Conference Center. C. Thomas Caskey, M.D., F.A.C.P., President and Chief Executive Officer of Cogene Biotech Ventures, Ltd., presented his lecture on “Medical Revelations are Nursing’s Challenge.” Dr. Caskey’s lecture focused on the recent developments in the medical field, especially in genetics, and how nursing has changed, and still needs to change, to adapt to these advancements. Alumni welcomed back to the School for the All-Class Alumni Reunion Approximately 150 alumni participated in the various activities on April 24 and 25. The banner story on the UT website during the reunion week was on the Children’s Wellness Center. We are pleased to announce the following sponsors for our reunion: Girling Health Care, Inc. for all Thursday events; Seton Health Care Network and St. David’s Healthcare Partnership for the Friday meals; Kathleen McGinn Aronson, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Gift Planning at The University of Texas at Austin; and the School of Nursing African American Breast Cancer Outreach funded by the Texas Cancer Society. Due to the generous gifts from these sponsors, a portion of the registration fees will go to the Children’s Wellness Center. School of Nursing holds Spring 2003 Commencement The School of Nursing awarded 69 undergraduate and 40 graduate degrees at the spring convocation on May 17. Dr. Dennis Perrotta, State of Texas epidemiologist, was the guest speaker. Dean Dolores Sands presided at the convocation, which was held in the LBJ Auditorium. Center holds annual Summer Research Institute The Center for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Research in Underserved Populations (CHPR) held its third annual Summer Research Institute June 9-11 at the School of Nursing. The institute is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing funding from federal sources (primarily NIH) to conduct research in health promotion and disease prevention in minority and underserved populations. Researchers in nursing, psychology, social work, health education, pharmacy and other health-related disciplines participated. In addition to learning the "how to's" of obtaining research funding, participates heard from several featured speakers. GENERAL NEWS New video now available highlighting School of Nursing Children’s Wellness Center This spring, two School of Nursing staff members, Matthew Listiak and Dr. Michael Erard, produced a video about the Children’s Wellness Center. Called “Let the Children Guide Us,” the video introduces this unique community-based clinic and tells why it’s special to the School of Nursing and the community of Del Valle. We recently talked to Mr. Listiak and Dr. Erard to find out about the making of the video. School of Nursing students featured in banner story on UT website Recent School of Nursing graduates and identical twins Amanda and Courtney Holmes are two of the students highlighted in the web banner story on the UT website, which ran the week of graduation. FACULTY NEWS School of Nursing says goodbye to two faculty members Charles B. (Chuck) Perkins, M.S., R.N., C.N.S., Instructor in Clinical Nursing in Holistic Adult Health and Nursing Systems, has decided to retire after teaching at the School of Nursing since the fall of 1993. A retired army nurse, Dr. Perkins has been a laboratory technologist, an LVN, and an RN throughout his professional career. Dr. Perkins is active in Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society of Nursing, and is a member of the American Nurses Association and the Texas Nurses Association. Dr. Perkins plans to keep busy this summer getting his last daughter married off and staying active in the Balcones Lions Club. His first big hope is to travel to Maine in September. It has been 20 years since he and his wife, Kathy, have seen the fall color change that is usually so beautiful in the Northeast. They will be traveling in their 34-foot motor home. Dr. Perkins also plans to spend more time with his seven grandchildren in northeastern Oklahoma. They range in age from one to eight years old, and those are definitely not years that should be missed. He intends to continue to attend a few of his favorite lectures at the School of Nursing, and has offered to “fill in” in case of an emergency. Dr. Perkins has been a wonderful asset to the School of Nursing, and we hope he keeps his promise to stay in touch. Dorothy L. Gordon, D.N.Sc., R.N., F.A.A.N., Associate Professor in Holistic Adult Health and Nursing Systems, is retiring after teaching at the School of Nursing since 1997. Dr. Gordon has been the Coordinator for the Nursing Systems Program at the School since 2000, and was Division Chair of the Community Health and Nursing Systems for two years before that. Dr. Perkins is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society of Nursing, and of Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society. Dr. Gordon has moved back to Maryland to spend time with her many friends. We wish her all the best in her retirement. School of Nursing faculty receive funding for innovative research Eun-Ok Im, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N., C.N.S., Associate Professor in Family and Public Health Nursing, recently received $1.8 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research for her project “Cancer Pain Management-Decision Support Computer Program.” Dr. Im’s project began this past February, and will receive funding through January 31, 2008. Despite widespread dissemination and adoption of standard guidelines for cancer pain management, erroneous assessments and subsequent under treatment and mistreatment of cancer pain are still common occurrences, disproportionately affecting women and ethnic minorities. The purpose of this study is to develop a standardized decision support computer program with self-adaptation capabilities that can be used by nurses as an assessment support tool for dealing effectively with gender and ethnic differences in cancer pain experiences based on cancer patients’ own views and experiences. Patricia A. Carter, Ph.D., R.N., Assistant Professor in Holistic Adult Health and Nursing Systems, recently received $547,404 in funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health for her project “Development of Caregivers Sleep Intervention.” Funding for her project will last through March 31, 2006. Family caregivers are expected to provide hundreds of thousands of hours of care for people diagnosed with cancer in the United States. As a result of providing this care, family caregivers report difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep, moderate to severe depressive symptoms and poorer quality of life. The specific aims of this study are to explore the feasibility of the Caregiver Sleep Intervention with family caregivers of persons with cancer and to examine the effects of the intervention on caregiver sleep quality, depressive symptoms and quality of life. Sharon Dormire, Ph.D., R.N., Assistant Professor in Family and Public Health Nursing, recently received funding for the Summer 2003 from The University of Texas at Austin Summer Research Assignment for her project “The Hot Flash Experience of Diabetic Women at Menopause.” Her study will provide initial comparative descriptive data to examine if there are differences between the hot flashes experienced by diabetic women and those of non-diabetic women. ALUMNI NEWS David Marshall, J.D., M.S.N., R.N., C.N.A.A., Chief Nursing Officer at the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals and Clinics, has informed us that UTMB has been chosen as a beta site for the post-baccalaureate nurse residency demonstration project sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. UTMB is the only site for the residency in the State of Texas. Mr. Marshall is not only a 1982 BSN graduate from the School of Nursing, he is also a life member of our Alumni Association. Rachel Spector, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Associate Professor at Boston College, graduated from The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing in 1983 with her Ph.D. For the past two winters Dr. Spector and her husband have lived in Alicante, Spain. While there she had the opportunity to both learn the language and culture of her new home, and to serve as a Colaboradora Honorifica (honorary collaborator) in the School of Nursing. She lectured in the doctoral program and covered topics related to cultural diversity. The issues related to diversity -immigration, language, religion, poverty, and differing health beliefs and practices- in Spain are similar to the ones experienced in the United States. Her book, Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness, was adapted and published in Spain in 2003 as Las Culturas de la Salud. Joe Whitaker, a 1977 graduate from the School of Nursing, has recently informed us that he has been asked by the White House to go to Iraq as a special advisor to the Ministry of Health. He will serve as Director of Facilities, and he will be charged with getting the hospitals in working order and giving his input on policy concerning Iraq’s new health care delivery system. Mr. Whitaker has served on the Federal Service Impasses Panel, which resolves labor disputes in the federal sector, for the past year and the Department of Defense was so impressed with his training they asked him to be part of the interim government of Iraq. During his time in Iraq Mr. Whitaker will stay with the ambassador in Saddam’s palace, which, he is happy to report, has air conditioning when the power is turned on. “Fabulous Five” includes three alumni District Five of the Texas Nurses Association recently announced this year’s winning nurses from more than 5000 registered nurses in nine Central Texas counties. The winners are selected by their peers on leadership, community service, compassion, impact as a role model, and significant contributions to the field of nursing. Three of the five winners are graduates of the School of Nursing. Rose Koneski, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is the Clinical Manager and Interim Director of Transplant Services at Seton Medical Center. Dawn Murray, MSN, RN, CS, FNP, is a Nurse Practitioner at The Clinic at Brackenridge of Brackenridge Hospital. Mary Viney, RN, MSN, is the Director of Patient Care Services at Seton Northwest Hospital Please feel free to forward this e-newsletter to other School alumni and friends. Please visit the following School of Nursing Web sites for more information: School of Nursing in the News Alumni and Friends Alumni Updates Calendar of Events About this e-mail This electronic newsletter is published three times per year and is designed to keep faculty, staff and friends informed about The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. To ensure we meet your needs, please share your comments and suggestions by sending an e-mail to Margaret Hill. This e-mail message was sent to you because you have provided your e-mail address to The University of Texas at Austin or to the School of Nursing. If you do not wish to receive future e-mail messages from the School of Nursing, you may unsubscribe now by sending an e-mail to Margaret Hill with the following in the subject line: unsubscribe newsletter. If you prefer to receive a text version of the newsletter send an email to Margaret Hill with the following in the subject line: subscribe alumninewstext firstname lastname If you wish to subscribe to this publication, send an email to Margaret Hill with the following in the subject line: subscribe newsletter firstname lastname .
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