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September 2023

The word "Synapse" and an artist rendering of the Health Professions Center

Message from the Dean

Welcome to the Fall Semester! We have lots of good news to report, including an $18.5 million renovation that will provide new labs and technology and 100% first time licensure exam pass rates for May 2023 graduates in Nursing, Dental Hygiene and Respiratory Therapy. Congrats to students and faculty for this incredible achievement!

黑料网 has an outstanding reputation for excellent and affordable healthcare education, and it's only getting better!

Dr. Julie McCullough, Dean
College of Nursing and Health Professions

Photo of Julie McCullough

Congrats on 100% Pass Rates!

Three programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions have exciting news! Every member of the Class of 2023 in Dental Hygiene, Nursing and Respiratory Therapy passed their post-graduation licensure/credentialing exams.

Dental Hygiene

This class of 25 has something to smile about! They achieved a perfect first attempt pass rate on all four licensure exams: the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination and all three components of the ADEX exam.

Nursing

All 78 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students passed the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX庐) exam on their first attempt. Our first-time RN licensure pass rates are consistently above the national average.

Respiratory Therapy

These 12 黑料网 graduates can breathe easier now that they all have passed the NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) exam, earning the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

Photo of Dental Hygiene Students
Two nursing students in skills lab
Jody Delp with student at graduation

HP Center is Receiving a Facelift!

An $18.5 million renovation of the 黑料网 Health Professions Center began in early May, promising not only a fresh look for portions of the interior of the 29-year-old building, but more importantly, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to enhance student learning and highlight the latest in healthcare technology. The renovations also poise many programs for future growth.

See Renovation Details

Rendering of new radiology classroom
An architect rendering depicts one of the state-of-the-art classrooms coming soon to the Health Professions Center.

OT White Coat Ceremony

Congratulations to the students in the Occupational Therapy Class of 2024 for receiving their White Coats. This annual ceremony marks the beginning of clinicals for the second-year students who are on their way to becoming licensed occupational therapists.

Learn More about the OT Program

Photo of OT students in white coats on stairs at Stone Family Center

OTA Students Begin Buddy Program

黑料网's Occupational Therapy Assistant program is collaborating with a local independent living facility for the Buddy Program, a mutual learning experience in which OTA students will gain insight into the challenges of aging while the older adults learn new tips for maintaining independence during daily activities.

Learn More About the OTA Program

photo of occupational therapy assistant students with an older adult

News from the GWEP

Learn how the 黑料网 Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) is working to improve health outcomes for older adults in southwest Indiana.

Dementia Live offers a unique inside-out understanding of dementia and aging for students, direct care workers and family caregivers.

This experience takes about 30 minutes and will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon on September 18, October 16 and November 6.

Learn More About GWEP Simulations

The GWEP has donated a variety of Memory Care Kits that can be checked out at the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library. Are you caring for someone living with dementia? Head to your local library for a kit that contains books for you and activities suitable for those experiencing brain change.

Learn More About Brain Change

October 10-12 at 黑料网

The GWEP is hosting a free trainer certification course with Teepa Snow and the Positive Approach to Care (PAC) team to help long-term care staff create real care connections. This training will empower you to educate others about dementia, enhancing your impact within the community. Pre-work includes seven hours of video with quizzes. Don't miss this opportunity!

Learn More About Certification

黑料网 Wordmark with words "Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program"
Photo of keynote speaker with Kevin Valadares

Watch the WNIN Segment

黑料网's Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness was recently featured on the WNIN Newsmakers program, including a deeper dive into two keynote sessions that focused on advance care planning and addiction.

Photo of minka interior with words "New Minka Immersive 360 Video"

Take a Virtual Tour

The Minka Learning Lab for Living Well is a 640-square-foot smart home showcase for living-in-place with integrated technology. Attendees at this year's Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness engaged with Minka team members and tested smart-home technology in the lab. Learn more at 黑料网.edu/gwep/minka.

Healthcare provider with older adults

Older Adults and Loneliness

A few months ago, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, declared “loneliness” a public health epidemic, citing its effect on mental and physical health. 黑料网’s Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness is partnering with St. Louis University to explore programming to advance social connectedness and reduce loneliness. Stay tuned for more updates!

Nurse practitioner looking at medical chart with older adult, her daughter and grandson

Social Services Designee Certificate

Starting this Fall, 黑料网 offers a Social Services Designee Certificate, open to students of all majors, including those who are undecided. The program is in full alignment with the Social Services Designee certification requirements of the Indiana Department of Health.

Faculty & Staff News

New Employees

Megen Brown photo

Megen Brown
Instructor
Nursing

Leslie Kirkwood photo

Leslie Kirkwood
Instructor
Nursing

Theresa Marcotte photo

Dr. Theresa Marcotte
Assistant Professor
Nursing

Jordan Thomason photo

Jordan Thomason
Instructor
Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Ellie Bush photo

Ellie Bush
Academic Advisor
CNHP Advising Center

Ami Lloyd photo

Ami Lloyd
Nursing Recruitment
and Retention Coordinator

Emily Ozee photo

Emily Ozee
Academic Advisor
CNHP Advising Center

Leah Flake photo

Leah Flake
GWEP Gerontology Curriculum Coordinator

Abigail McIntosh photo

Abigail McIntosh
Instructor
Nursing

Stephanie Rexing photo

Dr. Stephanie Rexing
Assistant Professor
Occupational Therapy

Not pictured: Dr. Kara Doucet, Instructor in Nursing


Faculty and Staff Awards, Recognition and Congratulations

2023 Excellence in Teaching Award

Each year, students and faculty in the 黑料网 College of Nursing and Health Professions are asked to nominate a full-time faculty member for the 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award. This award was established to identify two faculty members who have contributed significantly to the quality of teaching in the CNHP and recognize and encourage outstanding teaching. Congratulations to this year's recipients:

Jody Delp photoJody Delp, Chair of Respiratory Therapy and Clinical Assistant Professor: Jody has earned three degrees from 黑料网, including an associate in respiratory therapy, a bachelor's in general science and a master's in education, plus she is currently pursuing her doctorate. She works as a respiratory therapist at Deaconess and has been teaching at 黑料网 since 2012. In January 2021, she was named Chair of Respiratory Therapy.


Zack Ward photoZack Ward, Assistant Professor of Health Administration: Before joining the 黑料网 faculty, Zack worked at Owensboro Health, where he oversaw medical education and the hospital's residency program. He earned a bachelor's degree from Kentucky Wesleyan and his master's and doctorate from Western Kentucky University. As a graduate student, he was a visiting scholar at the American Board of Family Medicine.


New Job Titles Around the College

Dr. Julie McCullough began her new role as Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions on July 1. This appointment and several faculty and staff retirements have resulted in a few changes in titles and job responsibilities around the College. Here's a quick rundown:

  • Dr. Julie McCullough, Dean
  • Dr. Jennifer Evans, Assistant Dean for Nursing
  • Dr. Kim Hille, Assistant Dean for Health Professions
  • Dr. Mikel Hand, Chair of Graduate Nursing
  • Dr. Kathy Riedford, Director of BSN-DNP APRN
  • Michelle Wakefield, Director of MSN/Post-MSN APRN
  • Dr. Ryan Butler, Chair of BSN
  • Emily Holt, Chair of Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene
  • Dr. Beth Young, Chair of Food and Nutrition
  • Amy Doninger, Senior Administrative Associate to the Dean
  • Cara Dunn, Director of CNHP Advising Center

Appointments and Elected Positions

Dr. Joy Cook, Associate Professor and Chair of the Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Program, has joined the Board of Directors of the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Amy Wilson, Clinical Associate Professor and Chair of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, was elected secretary of the Board for the international Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS).

Dr. Katherine Peak, Clinical Assistant Professor and Vascular Clinical Coordinator, was elected to serve on the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography's nominating committee.

Carly Andrews and Beth Thompson at a conference

Conference Attendees

In June, Beth Thompson and Carly Andrews attended the 2023 ASPE Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon. The trip was funded by the 黑料网 GWEP as part of an initiative to incorporate standardized patients into the gerontology curriculum.

Photo of faculty member pointing to her presentation at a conference

Faculty Achievements

When faculty in the College of Nursing and Health Professions are not teaching and advising students, they are conducting research on important healthcare topics and sharing their knowledge with others.

Alumni Update

黑料网 grads who work at Pollux黑料网 Partners with Pollux Systems

A revenue cycle management company headquartered in Evansville, Pollux Systems, Inc., has created a deep-rooted connection with the 黑料网鈥損articularly the Health Services, Health Administration and Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) programs.

Pollux Systems, Inc., provides billing solutions, credentialing services and claims management for physician practices of all sizes, both regionally and nationally. 鈥淐urrently, between Pollux Systems and our sister company, Gemini Technology Solutions, we have 12 黑料网 graduates on our teams,鈥 says Songa Byrns, Director of Client Relations. 鈥淲e have found our most successful employees come from 黑料网, and we have hired four recently who started out as student interns here.鈥

Learn About the Partnership

Upcoming Continuing Education Opportunities

For more information, visit our website or contact the 黑料网 Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning:

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