The University Of Texas At Austin: What Starts Here Changes The World
The School of Nursing
 
 

Alumni Newsletter - Winter 2006

 

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.

Volume 1, Number 1

January 4, 2005

HEADLINES

Top Story

FALL 2004 CONVOCATION
The Fall 2004 Convocation was held on December 4, 2004 at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Auditorium. Of those graduating, 52 received their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 9 received their Master of Science in Nursing, and 2 received their Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing. Tracie Culp Harrison was named Outstanding Graduate Student, and Jonathan David Hecht was named Outstanding Undergraduate Student. Dr. Laurie John, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, served as Marshal. The Convocation address was given by Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Research News

SCHOOL OF NURSING IS #7 IN NIH FUNDING FOR 2003
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing has been ranked No. 7 in nursing school money received from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 2003, the highest ranking for a nursing school not linked to a health science center or medical school.

CENTER FOR HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH RECEIVES $2.3 MILLION GRANT
The Center for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Research (CHPR) in The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing has received a five-year, $2.3 million grant, which will allow researchers to continue trying improve the health of the underserved.

RESEARCHER STUDIES HORMONE THERAPY DECISION IN WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES
While all menopausal women are now facing the dilemma of whether or not to take hormone therapy, the decision for those with mobility impairments is even more difficult, says a University of Texas at Austin nursing researcher who has received federal funding to study the issue.

$1.34 MILLION FOR FIBROMYALGIA STUDY
A University of Texas at Austin nursing researcher has received a $1.34 million National Institutes of Health grant to test a wellness program for fibromyalgia syndrome, a chronic disabling condition characterized by widespread muscular pain and fatigue.

$1.5 MILLION FOR ASTHMA STUDY
A $1.5 million federal grant to evaluate the effectiveness of an asthma health education program for parents and their school-age children has been awarded to a University of Texas at Austin researcher in the School of Nursing.

Faculty News

Dr. Lynn Rew, RN, FAAN, Professor, published Adolescent Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Theory, Research, and Intervention. The book is available through Sage Publications, http://www.sagepub.com.

Congratulations to the following faculty who were recognized at the 2004 Awards Banquet on April 30, 2004, for their achievement in the areas of research, teaching, and service: Dr. Gayle Acton, Associate Professor, Dr. Mary Lou Adams, Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing, Dr. Corinne Grimes, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, Dr. Sherry Hendrickson, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, Dr. Eun-Ok Im, Associate Professor, Dr. Martha Meraviglia, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, Dr. Lynn Rew, Professor, and Dr. Alexa Stuifbergen, Professor.

NEW FACULTY, FALL 2003
Kathleen Dyre, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the School of Nursing in 2001. Ms. Dyre is a Registered Nurse at St. David's Medical Center and had served as a medications assistant to Patsy Rider prior to accepting her new position. Ms. Dyre is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses.

Dr. Susan Houston, Professor in Nursing Systems, had been the Assistant Vice-President for the Center of Integrated Care: Clinical Management and Outcomes Research, Infection Control, Medical Staff Management, Case Management, and Social Services at St. Luke's Episcopal Health Care System from January 2000 until her accepting this position. Dr. Houston received her PhD in Nursing from Texas Woman's University in 1990, and was inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2001. She is a member of American Nurses Association, Texas Nurses Association, American Association for Critical Care Nurses, and Sigma Theta Tau International.

Diane L. Faucher Moy, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the School of Nursing. Prior to accepting this position, Ms. Moy had been Director in the Quality Improvement Section of the Medicaid/CHIP Division, where she was responsible for the development and deployment of the State Comprehensivve QI Program for Medicaid and CHIP programs.

Dr. Margaret Prydun, Assistant Professor in Clinical Nursing, received her PhD from Texas Woman's University, where she taught until joining our faculty. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and Interreligious Faith and Health Alliance.

NEW FACULTY, SPRING 2004
Christine Kremer, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the School of Nursing in 1999. An RN at Brackenridge Hospital, Ms. Kremer served as a preceptor and as a medications assistant prior to accepting her teaching position. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and is certified as an adult and adolescent SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) through the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas and through the International Association of Forensic Nurses.

NEW FACULTY, SUMMER 2004
Dr. Betty Jensen, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, had been Chair of the Department of Nursing at Humboldt State University before retiring in 2003. Dr. Jensen received her BSN, MSN, and PhD from the School of Nursing and has 8 years experience as a professor of nursing, 2 years experience as director of a baccalaureate program, and 29 years experience in adult health nursing, including 5 years in home health nursing. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.

Valerie B. Thomas, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the School of Nursing in 2002. Prior to accepting her teaching position, Ms. Thomas had been a medications assistant and an advanced practice nurse providing psychiatric medical management of patients in long-term care. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, the Austin Advanced Practice Nurses Association, and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

NEW FACULTY, FALL 2004
Brigadier General William T. Bester, Professor of Clinical Nursing, comes to the School of Nursing as the 21st Chief of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps after his retirement in June. General Bester received his BSN from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota and his MSN from Catholic University of America. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Nurse Anesthesia Program at Madigan Army Medical Center. His recent assignments include Deputy Commander for Nursing in Wuerzburg, Germany and Chief Nurse of the 67th Combat Support Hospital, Medical Task Force Commander in Hungary. Gen. Bester is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, and holds the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He has also received two Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the College of St. Scholastica and Seton Hall University.

Tai-ing Chang, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the School of Nursing in 1988. She has been the weekend Supervisor of the Women's Unit at St. David's Medical Center since 1989. Ms. Chang is a member of the National Nurses' Association of the Republic of China.

Dr. Tracie C. Harrison, Assistant Professor, received her PhD in Nursing from the School of Nursing in 2004. While a student at the University, Ms. Harrison was a Harrington Dissertation Fellow, a John A. Hartford Building Geriatric Nursing Capacity Scholar, and an Institutional NRSA predoctoral fellow. Ms. Harrison is a member of the American Association for the History of Nursing, the Gerontological Society of America, the American Assocation on Health and Disability, the Souther Nursing Research Society, the American Academy of Nurse Pratitioners, and the Texas Nurses Association.

Dr. Christi Holland, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, received her PhD in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2003. Prior to accepting her current position, Dr. Holland had been an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Nursing, in Houston. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American College of Nurse Practitioners, the American Medical Directors Association, the American Nurses Association, the Texas Nurses Association, the Souther Nursing Research Society, and Sigma Theta Tau International.

Stephanie Key, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the School of Nursing in 1999, and has been employed as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the Austin Diagnostic Clinic. She is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Texas Nurse Practitioners.

Trish O'Day, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the School of Nursing in 1985. Most recently she was Director of Utilization Management/Cost Containment for Boon-Chapman and Director or Medical Management for the Texas Universities Health Plan. She has served on the Medical Assistance Program Advisory Board for the City of Austin, the Hospital Data Advisory Committee for the Texas Board of Health, and is a member of the Texas Nurses Association.

Laurie Soule, Instructor In Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the School of Nursing in 2004. Ms. Soule is a Registered Nurse at Children's Hospital of Austin, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She is a student member of National Association of Nurse Practitioners and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International.

Dr. Bobbie Sterling, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, received her PhD from the School of Nursing in 2001. Since 2001, she has been the Project Manager of the Austin New Mothers Study, an NIH funded grant, at the University. She has also taught at the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Central Arkansas.

NEW FACULTY, SPRING 2005
Michael Aldridge, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received his MSN from the School of Nursing in 2004. Since 2003, he has been the Specialty Education Coordinator in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Children's Hospital of Austin. Mr. Aldridge is a Certified Pediatric Critical Care Nurse, and is a member of the American Association of Critical Nurses and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Dr. Robert Esparza, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine in 1979. Dr. Esparza is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a board-certified pediatrician in Austin.

Heather Keizman, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the University of Florida in 2001. Since 2002, she has been an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner at the School of Medicine at the University of Miami. She is a member of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health and is a certified Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner.

Christina Murphey, Instructor in Clinical Nursing, received her MSN from the School of Nursing in 2004. Since 2001, she has been a School Nurse through the Seton Healthcare Network in Austin. Ms. Murphey is a member of the Texas Nurses Association, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International.

TRANSITIONS
Dr. Cynthia Conger, Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, left the School of Nursing after 5 years and is now working with the Bureau of Immunization and Pharmacy and its bioterrorism initiatives and programs.

Dr. Robin Fleschler, Assistant Professor since 2002, accepted a position at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston effective Fall 2004.

Dr. Melanie Percy, Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing and Director of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program, accepted a position at New York University effective Fall 2004. In her ten years at the School of Nursing, Dr. Percy helped establish the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program and the Children's Wellness Center.

Alumni News

2004 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNAE
Joanne Harrell is a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing and director of the Center for Research on Chronic Illness. A principal investigator of an NIH-funded study of cardiovascular health in children and youth (CHIC), she has conducted statewide studies on cardiovascular risk reduction interventions in children and adults. A 1984 graduate of the doctoral program at The University of Texas at Austin, she has won numerous awards and honors, including the American Heart Association's outstanding Research Paper of the Year Award and a place in the American Academy of Nurses.

Donna Hathaway received her baccalaureate and masters degrees in nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her PhD in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984. During her career she has held a variety of clinical positions working primarily in post surgical units and has taught in all levels of nursing schools from practical nursing to doctoral programs. She joined the University of Tennessee College of Nursing in 1984 as Assistant Professor and subsequently was promoted to Associate Professor and to the rank of Professor. During this time she was also appointed as a Professor of Transplant Surgery in the College of Medicine where she held a position as Director of Clinical Transplant Research. She has also served as Director of the PhD program and in August 2000 was appointed Dean of the College of Nursing. Dr. Hathaway is active, and has held positions in a variety of professional organizations; is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing; serves as a consultant to government, industry, and educational institutions; and has also served on several NIH review panels and workgroups. Currently she is a Professor and the Dean of Nursing at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. Her research, which examines quality of life and biobehavioral outcomes following organ transplantation, has been funded by the National Institute of Health (National Institute of Nursing Research) since the late 1980's and has been the source for over 120 publications in professional journals.

Rose Koneski received her baccalaureate and her masters degrees in nursing from The University of Texas at Austin in 1999 and 2002, respectively. During her career, Ms. Koneski has worked in critical care, most recently as clinical manager of the Heart/Kidney Transplant Program/Heart Transplant Coordinator at Seton Medical Center in Austin, where she coordinates kidney and heart transplant surgery, participates in the selection of transplant recipients, and assesses and manages clients with complex needs. As a leader and mentor, she establishes multidisciplinary teamwork to meet the needs of the patient, as evidenced by her development of the Ventricular Assist Device Program at Seton Hospital. She is an integral part of the ongoing development of the Heart Transplant Program, which includes research, establishing protocols, and improving processes. Ms. Koneski strongly supports organ donation and is an active member of the Texas Transplantation Society and the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance, volunteering for events to increase community awareness. She is also active in the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. In addition to being named one of our 2004 Distinguished Alumna, she has received recognition as Ambulatory Nurse of the Year in 2003 and was named to the Texas Fabulous Five in 2003.

Dawn Murray received her baccalaureate in nursing from Montana State University in 1988 and her masters in nursing from The University of Texas at Austin in 2000. Ms. Murray's career includes active duty in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps where she served in various pediatric clinical areas. As a family nurse practitioner at The Clinic @ Brackenridge, Ms. Murray serves as liaison to the primary care sites of the Austin/Travis County and Seton Community Health Centers. Under her leadership of the nurse-driven Clinic @ Brackenridge, she has developed a clinical model for caring for patients with Hepatitis C and has decreased wait time for patients by over 600 percent. Ms. Murray is a guest lecturer in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at the School of Nursing. She is active in the community, volunteering her time to her church as a parish nurse and to the Special Olympics. In addition to being named one of our 2004 Distinguished Alumna, she was named to the Texas Fabulous Five in 2003.

Holly Weber Johnson received baccalaureate degrees in biology and nursing from The University of Texas at Austin in 1987 and 1995, respectively. She completed her nursing degree while working full-time at Austin Emergency Medical Services. Ms. Weber Johnson has worked at St. David's Medical Center in Critical Care for nine years and is currently a Nurse Manager in the ICU. As a strong advocate for nursing, Ms. Weber Johnson provides opportunities for her staff to attend conferences and applies her energies, communication skills and clinical expertise to promote nursing. She is currently developing a nursing fellowship program, funded by the Department of Labor, with a focus on expediting the transition from novice to expert in the critical care setting. Ms. Weber Johnson remains active in the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and is a member of the Society of Critical Care medicine and Sigma Theta Tau International. She plans to pursue a masters in business administration in preparation for an executive position.

UPDATES
Erin Dickerman, BSN 2000, is currently working in the BMT unit as a staff RN. She worked 3 1/2 years on the Hematology/Oncology unit at Texas Children's Hospital. She is also working PRN in the Pediatrics unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital. This summer, she began a Family Nurse Practitioner program.

Shannon Willman Needleman, BSN 1994, is taking a brief sabbatical from her nursing career to care for her toddler, Before the birth of her child, Shannon was an NICU nurse for Women's Integrated Healthcare. She served eight years in the U.S. Air Force as a NICU and Flight Nurse. Besides raising a family, she teaches birthing classes.

Angel Martin, MSN 2003, works on the Critical Care Nursing Team and Stroke Team at a hospital in Santa Clara County, California. She is also working on her "Open Heart" Critical Care Nursing and Emergency Dialysis Nursing Care certifications. Angel recently had the chance to work with the Stanford Medical Center on organ donor procurement and transplantation.

Tina Huggins Messec, BSN 1985, and her husband, Hal Messec, celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary this year. Tina has been a stay-at-home mom to her two adopted girls from China, Grace and Rose.

Mike Oltman, BSN 1982, has accepted a new position as Clinical Specialist in the Neurohealth Division of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals.

Christy Schnoes Rost, BSN 1975, is host and producer of a cooking/entertaining television program based out of Fort Worth called "Just Like Home." Her website, www.easyentertain.com, features recipes and photos from the show. Christy also has a regular radio segment on KRLD radio in North Texas and is a regular guest on national television. Her first cookbook, The Family Table, was published in 2003 by Capital Books.

Carey Simon, BSN 1999, is at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver and reports that she is "loving nursing!"

Stephen Snyder, MSN 1996, is currently working as an Occupational Health Nurse with Lennox Manufacturing in Marshalltown, Iowa. Stephen serves the health care needs of 1100-1300 employees who manufacture residential heating and air conditioning products. His office is also responsible for worker's compensation claims, maintaining OSHA records for work-related injuries and illnesses, and managing the Occupational Hearing Conservation Program.

HONORS
Dr. Louanne Lawson, PhD 2000, Assistant Professor of Nursing Science, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, is the first editor of the new international Journal of Forensic Nursing, published by the International Association of Forensic Nurses.

Dr. Tess Pape, BSN 1995, received the MEDSURG Nursing Writer's Award in October, 2003, in the category "research for practice/best practice" for her article entitled, "Applying Airline Safety Practices to Medication Administration." The award was presented at the 11th Annual Convention of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. Dr. Pape is currently an assistant professor of nursing at the Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing.

Dr. Sara Torres, PhD 1986, was appointed Dean of the School of Nursing, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Fall 2003.

Congratulations to the following 2004 Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing: Terry Anne Badger (PhD 1986) and Bonita R. Reinert (PhD 1991). Drs. Badger and Reinert were inducted into the American Academy of Nursing during the AAN 31st Annual Meeting and Conference, November 13, 2004, in Washington, DC.

IN MEMORIAM
Janet L. Hooper (BSN 1973), January 2004

Joyce F. Holtz (BSN 1973), September 19, 2003

Marilyn Lou Grooms (BSN 1976, MSN 1980), July 18, 2003

Eva L. Cook (BSN 1979), July 14, 2004

Alice B. Underwood (BSN 1980), December 9, 2004

Cindy F. McLendon (MSN 1982), March 27, 2003

Caryn Zoch Neumann (BSN 1982), February 6, 2003

Nancy M. Caller (MSN 1988), August 13, 2003

Eula J. Golka (MSN 1989), September 17, 2004

Irene R. Mortenson Burnside (PhD 1990), April 12, 2003

Upcoming Events

BLANTON LECTURE
Dr. Alexa Stuifbergen, RN, FAAN, Associate Dean for Research and the Dolores V. Sands Chair in Nursing Research, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, will present the 2005 Jack and Laura Lee Blanton Lecture in Nursing on January 28, 2005. Dr. Stuifbergen's research focus is on health promotion and self-care for women with chronic disabling conditions. Please check the School of Nursing website for more information.

GALLMAN LECTURE
Dr. Elaine Larson, RN, FAAN, CIC, Associate Dean and Professor of Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Nursing, Columbia University School of Nursing, will present the 20th Annual LaVerne Gallman Distinguished Lecture in Nursing on April 22, 2005. Dr. Larson's research focus is on the relationship between hygiene and transmission of infectious diseases, the development of antimicrobial resistance, and healthcare-associated infections. Please check the School of Nursing website for more information.

2005 CONVOCATION
School of Nursing convocation will be held on May 20, 2005. Commencement will be held on May 21, 2005.

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

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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.