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OMAYAL ACHI COLLEGE OF NURSING, PUZHAL

OACN 9th

TANYA NEWSLETTER 2015 – 2016

Dear Alumnus,

Greetings from Omayal Achi College of Nursing!

Since its creation in 1992, Omayal Achi College of Nursing (OACN) has trained thousands

of students and professionals in B.Sc (N) 901 & M.Sc (N) 336 members. Our Alumni are

today the key occupants of fundamental sectors in the health care system both nationally and

internationally and are holding various cadres and functioning successfully and effectively.

Having played a significant role in their know-how and development, OACN is particularly

proud of its Alumni and considers nurturing this link with them to be its utmost priority.

Over the years, OACN has introduced a wide range of initiatives that involve former students

in the daily life of the institution. Immediate examples point to the construction of a

sustainable bond between current students, teaching staff and graduates in the form of

invitations to visit as lecturers, participate in a series of Alumni get-togethers and also staying

connected through whatsapp & “Alumni Newsletter”.

GOLDEN KEY MEMBERS OF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

President

Dr. (Mrs.) Ciby Jose

Principal

Venkateshwara Nursing College

Off Old Mahabalipuram Road, Near

Navalur , Thalambur, Chennai,

Tamil Nadu 603103

Secretary

Mrs.Bhagavathy

Asso.Professor, HOD, OBG Nursing

No:45, Ambattur Road

Omayal Achi College of Nursing

Puzhal, Chennai-66.

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Joint secretary

Mrs. Ruthrani Princely

Asst. Professor, HOD Pediatric Nursing

No:45, Ambattur Road

Omayal Achi College of Nursing

Puzhal, Chennai-66.

Treasurer

Ms. Nandhini. P

Nurse Researcher cum Asst.Professor

No:45, Ambattur Road

ICCR & Omayal Achi College of

Nursing

Puzhal, Chennai-66.

I PRESIDENT’S NOTE

Dear OACN Family,

It is an exciting time for the Omayal Achi Alumni Association - Tanya. This has a

member of our 900 B.Sc. (N) 336 M.Sc (N) & 5 PhD (N) alumni living in different countries.

Alumni engagement is bursting with energy and excitement, and there’s no better moment in

our college history to acknowledge the best of our best. Our college has launched the ”Silver

Jubilee Celebration” of its existence this year to celebrate our brightest, most innovative and

entrepreneurial-spirited young graduates.

Just as our alumni’s positive influence on the world grows, their participation with

their alma mater continues to flourish. Since 2007 we have been enjoying our Tanya Reunion

at our college premises. As suggested earlier I hope that you have thousands of “small world

– OACN’s” moments and your memories are frequent and fond about your time at OACN

across the globe.

We all know how important networking is today. As the President of our Alumni

Association I intend to engage and excite our Alumni Network throughout 2016. My

intention is to work with our Alumni Board and Staff towards understanding and fulfilling the

interests of our older and newer alumni and ensuring two remain connected with the students

and staff on campus. I hope that our activities will improve our support and mentorship of

young alumni who often continue on a journey of self-discovery and transitions even after

graduation.

I am sure that many of you still remember the individual who mentored you at

OACN. I felt blessed to have many, especially our sir Dr.K.R.Rajanarayanan who

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encouraged me like none other. I encourage all of you to reflect on your mentorship

experience at OACN and to extend yourselves as mentors to alumni that follow you.

It is because of these reasons that I feel obliged, humbled, and honored to give back

through the Alumni Association.

I look forward to connect with each & every one of you throughout the year and

learning more about your experiences at OACN, and your thoughts on how we can continue

to serve as alumni. Until we meet, please do not hesitate to reach me through the Alumni

Office mail - oacnalumni@gmail.com. Also remember to update your contact information

so we are able to send you information about the upcoming events.

On behalf of everyone on the Alumni Association Board, we wish you successful

years & prosperous years to come.

Sincerely Yours,

Dr. (Mrs.) Ciby Jose

President, OACN Alumni Association

The Omayal Achi College of Nursing is organizing the 9th

Alumni reunion on 30.09.2016

from 2pm-5pm. An official alumni meeting will be held between 2-5 pm (A CNE would be

organized and the election for new alumni office bearers will also be conducted followed by

networking sessions.

The OACN alumni PhD Awardees will be honored by the Management, ICCR and Alumni

Association during the Annual day celebration on 30.09.2016 in the morning session. We

kindly request you to grace the occasion without fail. Kindly confirm your participation

through email or phone. We also request you to update us on your address for

communication, contact number and email ID to make our contact with you easier and direct.

Do make it possible to attend the 9th

Alumni reunion.

For further information, contact us at:

Website: www.omayaln.com

email: oacnalumni@gmail.com

Dr. (Mrs.) Ciby Jose

President

Mob: 9445222272

Mrs.Bhagavathy

Secretary

Mob:9486530324

Mrs. Ruth Rani Princely

Joint secretary

Mob:9840368056

Ms. Nandhini. P

Treasurer

Mob:8608741716

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II EIGHTH OACN TANYA REUNION:

The eighth Alumni reunion was organized on 01.10.2015 and was attended by a total

of 87 alumni members. The alumni report for the year 2014 – 2015 was presented by

Mrs.Bhagavathy.S, Secretary and the financial report was read by Ms.Nandhini.P, Treasurer

and it was passed by the alumni. Dr.Ciby Jose led the open discussion on alumni matters.

Dr.D.Celina requested a Laptop / Desktop with internet facilities to the faculty room. Our

Alumnus i.e, Dr.Latha, HOD, along with Dr.Abirami, Professor, Dr.Jayabharathi, Professor

from OBG Department & Dr.Hemamalini, Community Health Nursing, SRM college of

Nursing said that they will donate a printer to our college. In view of Silver Jubilee

celebration Dr.S.Kanchana suggested to plan for a batch wise reunion in the month of June

2016. 5 alumni PhD awardees were honored with a medal, memento and a citation by

Dr.Rajanarayanan for their academic excellence and outstanding contribution to research.

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III ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

The college is nurturing 174 B.Sc (N), 5 M.Sc (N) and 23 PhD Nursing scholars

during the 2015- 2016 academic year.

PhD Program:

The PhD program is affiliated to The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R Medical University. The

registered research guides guiding students at Omayal Achi College of Nursing are

Dr.Revathy Vijayalakshmi

Dr.S.Kanchana

Dr. S.Vijayalakshmi

Dr.Susila

Dr.Jayaraman

Dr.Jaya

Dr.Sharadha Ramesh

Dr.D.Celina

A total of 23 PhD scholars have registered through OACN.

Our alumni who have completed PhD (N) during last year are

S:NO NAME M.Sc (N) /

B.Sc (N)

BATCH

1. Dr.Veena Joseph M.Sc (N) 1996-1998

2. Dr.Malliga Rajadurai M.Sc (N) 1996-1998

3. Dr.Bhima Umamaheshwari M.Sc (N) 2000-2002

4. Ms.Sathyalatha M.Sc (N) 2000-2002

5. Dr.Sharmila M.Sc (N) 2001-2003

6. Dr.Subarani M.Sc (N) 2001-2003

7. Ms.Lakshmi M.Sc (N) 2001-2003

8. Ms.Padmavathy M.Sc (N) 2001-2003

9. Dr.Zealous Mary M.Sc (N) 2004-2006

10. Dr. A. Kanimozhi B.Sc (N) 1994-1998

11. Dr.Vasanthakumari B.Sc (N) 1994-1998

M.Sc (N) & B.Sc (N) Program

100% distinction secured by the M.Sc (N) 2014- 2016 batch in their University Exam.

The students awarded for their academic achievements during XXIII Annual Day

celebration are as follows

The AMM Arunachalam Silver medal was awarded to

o Best Outgoing Student M.Sc(N) : Ms.Nisha.J

o Best Academic Student B.Sc(N) : Ms.Karpagam.V

o Best Clinical Nurse M.Sc(N) : Ms.Rajeswari.S

The Annapoorani Achi Silver medal for the B.Sc(N) Best Clinical Nurse

was awarded to Ms.Princy Cynthia.C

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The Alumni who had received their PhD Degree were awarded with an

“Academic Excellence Award” by the ICCR, by Mrs. Valli Alagappan and

Dr. K.R. Rajanarayanan. The scholars who received the awards were

o Dr. Latha

o Dr. Hemamalini

o Dr. Abirami

o Dr. Jayabharathi

The Unnamalai Achi Proficiency prize was awarded to the class toppers by

Mrs. Lakshmi Nagappan

o B.Sc(N) I year : Ms.Joan Gethzy

o B.Sc(N)II year : Ms.Pennarasi.T

o B.Sc(N)III year : Ms.Sowmya Mathew

o M.Sc(N)I year : Ms.Monicka.J.V

Ms. Linda Sydie, Former Dean of Nursing, Queen Margaret University,

Edinburgh, Scotland has sponsored cash awards for the subject toppers in

the UG program. The following subject toppers were given cash prizes by

Mrs. Seetha Subbiah, Trustee.

o Foundations of Nursing - Ms.Santhiya.K.R

o Medical Surgical Nursing I - Ms.Abinaya.R

o Pediatric Nursing - Ms.Sowmya Mathew & Ms.Divya.S

o Psychiatry Nursing - Ms.Sowmya Mathew

o Medical Surgical Nursing II - Ms.Mirunikaa.P.K

o Community Health Nursing - Ms.Ann Mathews

o Maternity Nursing - Ms.Beena.M & Ms.Karpagam.V

Ms. Tintu Nisha.P.V won the Alumni PG Best Nurse researcher award.

The IV year B.Sc (N) batch 2011 - 2015 received the rolling shield for securing the

highest distinctions during the university examination.

IV RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Health Assessment Programme

The International Centre for Collaborative Research had organized a Health

Assessment Programme for 1250 school students of A.M.M. Matriculation Higher

Secondary School, Kotturpuram for five days in the month of August 2015.

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Training Programme

5th

Training Programme on “Research Methodology” was conducted between

28.03.2016 – 01.04.2016. It was facilitated by various resource faculties from outside

institutions and in-house faculties.

International Conference

The 4th

International Conference on " Nurse facilitated research- Building capacity

for excellence” was conducted by the International Center for Collaborative

Research(ICCR) of the Omayal Achi College of Nursing on 28th

,29th

& 30th

January

2016 at the college auditorium. A total of 336 delegates who attended from different

parts of the world and made this international conference one of the most successful

and productive events in 2016.The conference was facilitated by Dr.Anne Williams,

Lecturer in Nursing, Queen Margret University, Dr.Ramachandra, HOD, Department

of Nursing, NIMHANS, Dr.Rajkumar, Professor, Community Medicine, Meenakshi

Medical College & Research Institute, Dr.Venkatraman,Vice President, Education

and Training , India Cements and Dr. Premila Lee, CMC,Vellore. The audiences

were introduced to another mode of presentation, the webminar on ethically guided

research by Dr.Vivian Ramsden, University of Saskatchewan, Canada followed by an

interesting discussion session along with Dr.Rajkumar and Dr.S.Kanchana. Mrs.Valli

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Alagappan, Patron, ICCR launched the open access online journal i.e: International

Centre for Collaborative Research Journal for Nursing Research (ICCRJNR) in the

inaugural programme on 28th

January 2016.

International Centre For Collaborative Research Journal For Nursing Research

(ICCRJNR )

The first issue of open access online journal was published 10 scientific papers

successfully during the month of May 2016.

V ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

The alumni association has sponsored the following things i.e; water Purifier (Blue

Star), LED TV to the hostel & 2 Desktop for the faculty room & HP Laser Jet Printer

with scanner was sponsored by Our Alumnus i.e, Dr.Latha, HOD, Dr.Abirami,

Professor, Dr.Jayabharathi, Professor from OBG Department & Dr.Hemamalini,

Community Health Nursing, SRM College of Nursing.

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SPONSORSHIP FOR STUDENT FEES

MESS FEE

o Ms.R.Abinaya & Ms.M.Meenakshi from B.Sc (N) 2014- 2018 batch

o Ms.Chitra B.Sc (N) 2013- 2017 batch

o Ms.R.Suganthi & Ms.R.Gayathri B.Sc (N) 2012- 2016 batch

HOSTEL FEE

o Ms.P.Chitra B.Sc (N) 2012- 2016 batch

EXAM FEES

o Ms.P.Tamilselvi B.Sc (N) 2013- 2017 batch

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RESEARCH BY ALUMNI

o Every year the outgoing batch of students contribute Rs.2000/- per student

from the Alumni fee to the ICCR. The intrest generated from the corpus of this

fund is proposed to be used for sponsoring research activities by alumni.

VI OMAYAL ACHI COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE (OACHC)

The centre provides various health services to 55 villages. The total beneficiaries in

the clinics for the year August 2015- June 2016 were 10332.

I. NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES CONTROL PROGRAMME

1. Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiovascular diseases:

Evidence generated by a Research Project on the prevalence of non-communicable

diseases – Hypertension & Diabetes - in the 18 adopted villages, conducted by the

Community Health Nursing Department, resulted in the Establishment of weekly Chronic

diseases clinic at the OACHC in the year 2003, for diagnosis and management of Diabetes,

Hypertension and other Cardiovascular diseases through proper medication, diet and exercise

to control obesity, regular monitoring through assessment of Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar

and Body Mass Index. Health education programmes are conducted while the clients wait to

see the doctor.

Milestones of progress in NCD primary Care at OACHC, is given in Table.2.

Table 2. Milestones of progress in NCD primary Care - OACHC

Year Milestones

1998 Inauguration of OACHC

2003 Chronic Diseases Clinic

2012 Village Health Empowerment Training Programme – VHETP

2013 Village Health Assessment Kiosks, Mental Health Wellness Clinic

2015 Motivational Clinic for alcoholics, Cervical & Breast Cancer Screening programme

By 2012, registration crossed 879 and increase in footfalls at the clinic, generated

further NCD based research. It was felt that there was a need for Health empowerment of the

Villagers through training and the Village Health Empowerment Training Programme or

VHETP- Train the Trainer model, was started in 2012to identify community people and

train them in the areas of health – NCDs like Diabetes, Hypertension, Reproductive Health,

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Adolescent Health, Obesity control and basic life support methods. They were also trained in

simple techniques to assess Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Body Mass Index.The training

was conducted in 5 phases.

In the first phase ten members were selected from the community, based on pre-

determined criteria and the process was explained to them. In the second phase their pre-

training knowledge on Cancers, their prevention etc, were tested using a questionnaire. The

third phase was the actual training, using lectures, videos and practical, hands-on training.

Post-training assessment was done in the fourth phase and certification and empowerment in

the final, fifth phase. (See Table.3)

Each empowered volunteer trained 10 to 15 women, following the same process and

so far over 100 volunteers have been trained under this scheme and they in turn, have trained

around 1200 – 1250 villagers.

Table 3. NCD primary care - VHETP - Phases of training

Phase Activities

First phase 10 community members were selected based on predefined criteria

Second phase Assessment of Pre training knowledge

Third phase Structured training for 5 days at OACHC

Fourth phase Assessment of Post-training knowledge

Fifth phases Certification & Empowement

2. Health Assessment Kiosks:

The excellent response to the VHETP, showed us the need to move into the villages

for more community participation by utilizing the services of these trained individuals.

Health assessment Kiosks, manned by trained volunteers, were started in two villages for the

early identification of Diabetes and hypertension in 2013, where Health assessments were

done by two trained volunteers - measuring the blood pressure, weight, height, BMI, blood

sugar using glucometer, urine sugar using uristick. The clients with abnormal levels were

referred to the Community Health Centre for registration and management.

From 2013 to 2015, kiosks were setup in 9 villages, thus serving a population of

13,779. An average of 55-60 villagers utilized the Kiosks every month. From 2013 to 2016,

9066 villagers have been assessed and 562 clients were identified to have diabetes,

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hypertension or both, and referred to our health centre for further management. These details

are given in Table.4.

Table 4 - Utilization of the Kiosks

Total population covered by the Kiosks 13779

Number of Kiosks 9

Number of Villagers assessed at the Kiosks 9066

Average attendance at each Kiosk /month 55 to 60

Number referred to OACHC for Diabetes and Hypertension 562

Increase in registered clients 242

Before the establishment of kiosks, 879 clients were registered for diabetes and

hypertension at the weekly Chronic diseases clinic, After the kiosks started functioning, this

has gone up to 1121 clients, an increase of 242.

This model has helped us in early identification, monitoring & control of

Hypertension, Diabetes & Obesity through early diagnosis, prompt treatment and follow for

treatment compliance.

3. Primary care of Cancers:

Breast and Cervical Cancer screening of women was initiated in the year 2015, in 8 of

our adopted Villages, based on Prevalence studies. Cervical and Breast cancer risk

assessment was done for all women in the age group of 25 to 60 years – a total of 2178

women in all. Out of this, 395 women have been screened in our Village level screening

camps. Screening included detailed history, breast examination, internal examination

including Visual inspection with Acetic acid / Lugol Iodine (VIA& VILI) and health

education on cervical and breast cancer and Self breast examination. The Village level

screening camps are conducted by Post Graduate Nurses from our OBG Nursing department.

The main problems identified in the internal examinations were Aceto-whte discharge,

cervical erosion, leucorrhea and cervicitis. Of the 395 women screened, using VIA/VILI, the

morbidity pattern is shown in Table.5.

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Table 5 - Cancer Screening - morbidity

Abnormal Findings Number

Aceto-white changes, 57

Cervical erosion 110

Leucorrhea 89

Cervicitis 63

In order to support this programme,a Cervical Cancer Screening Unit was

established at OACHC with Facilities and equipment for Colposcopy as well as cryosurgery.

The Unit is managed by OBG nurses and the consultant is a Cervical cancer specialist and

Colposcopist, Dr. Rajkumar, Professor, Meenahski Medical College Hospital & research

Institute, Kanchipuram. The 57 women who had aceto-white changes were followed up by

colposcopy and those requiring expert treatment were referred to tertiary centres – Cancer

Institute, Adyar, Meenahski Medical College Hospital & research Institute, Kanchipuram and

Madras Medical Mission, Chennai. One client underwent cryosurgery at our Centre.

Table 6 - Referral Pattern

Abnormal finding Referral hospital Number

Abnormal cervical lesions Cancer Institute, Adyar 6

Abnormal cervical lesions Meenakshi Medical College, Kanchipuram 4

Breast abnormalities Madras Medical Mission, Chennai 7

HPV DNA PCR screening is being done for types – 16, 18, 31 & 45, with the support

of the Department of experimental medicine, Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. 8

women have undergone this test. Results are awaited.

4. Primary care of Psychological and Psychiatric disorders:

The Mental Health department of the college developed a model for the integration of

mental health in Primary health care for Chronic disease clients by assessing the level of

depression among chronic disease clients. The effectiveness of the model was assessed and

found positive and this guided us in establishing weekly Mental health wellness clinics in

2013, managed by the psychiatry nursing department of OCN.

Based on the findings of another Research Project on Effectiveness of community

nursing intervention strategies on alcohol dependence and quality of life among alcoholics,

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we started a motivational Clinic foralcohol dependantsin 2015 and Group and Family

counselling and behavioural therapy, are conducted by Mr.Yayathee Subbarayalu, a Post

Graduate Nurse and trained counsellor.

5. Primary care in Opthalmology:

The Health Centre organizes annual eye speciality camp since 2002 to identify

refractive errors and cataract. The village people undergo free cataract surgery which is

channelized through Sankara Eye Hospital, Pammal.

(The OACHC welcomes Alumni to sponsor for the ONE TOUCH GLUCO STRIPS to

the health assessment Kiosks for early identification and control of Diabetes Mellitus

among community people)

VII WEDLOCK:

S:NO NAME M.Sc (N) /

B.Sc (N)

BATCH

1. Ms.Srimathi M.Sc (N) 2012-2014

2. Ms.Thilagavathy M.Sc (N) 2014-2016

3. Ms.Monicka M.Sc (N) 2014-2016

4. Ms.Sandra Jebastin M.Sc (N) 2013-2015

5. Mr.Jaivin M.Sc (N) 2012-2014

6. Ms.Radhika M.Sc(N) 2006-2010

7. Ms.Karthika B.Sc (N) 2006-2010

8. Ms.Vincly Sindhuja B.Sc (N) 2006-2010

9. Ms.Ashmin Varghese B.Sc (N) 2008-2012

10. Ms.Shobana B.Sc (N) 2009-2013

11. Ms.Sudha B.Sc (N) 2009-2013

12. Ms.Suganya B.Sc (N) 2009-2013

13. Ms.Ann Mathew B.Sc (N) 2010-2014

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VIII PARENTHOOD:

S:NO NAME M.Sc (N) /

B.Sc (N)

BATCH

1 Ms.Savitha M.Sc (N) 2012-2014

2 Ms.Baby Shobana M.Sc (N) 2012-2014

3 Ms.Nisha Rachael M.Sc (N) 2013-2015

4 Ms.Lakshmi.B B.Sc (N) 1996-2000

5 Ms.Amruthapudi Praveena B.Sc (N) 1996-2000

6 Ms.Libby Baby B.Sc (N) 2001-2006

7 Ms.Maria Alexia Reeha B.Sc (N) 2004-2008

8 Ms.Mervy Rachael Varghese B.Sc (N) 2006-2010

9 Ms.Sithara B.Sc (N) 2007-2011

10 Ms.Daisy Samson B.Sc (N) 2008-2012

11 Ms.T.Gayathri B.Sc (N) 2009-2013

12 Ms.R.Durga B.Sc (N) 2010-2014

IX ALUMNI ABROAD:

S:NO NAME POSITION/COUNTRY M.Sc (N)/

B.Sc (N) BATCH

1 Ms.Susan Suby Koshy Staff Nurse- Harar , Arab B.Sc (N) 2007-2011

2 Ms.Uthralakshmi Staff Nurse- Harar, Arab B.Sc (N) 2008-2012

3 Ms.Cereen Thomas Staff Nurse – Northampton, U.K B.Sc (N) 2009-2013

4 Ms.D.Janani Staff Nurse- Saudi B.Sc (N) 2009-2013

5 Ms. Ishwarya

Manikandan

Staff Nurse- Saudi B.Sc (N) 2009-2013

6 Ms.Subathra Archieve Clerk- Sharjah- UAE B.Sc (N) 2009-2013

7 Ms.Veena Staff Nurse- Hail, Saudi B.Sc (N) 2009-2013

8 Ms.Glory Wilson Registered Nurse- Australia B.Sc (N) 2009-2013