Spring is in the air and as we mark the beginning of this beautiful season we also move into an exciting time of year for the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing (IVMSON). While the bare landscape begins to transform into a garden of blooms, IVMSON is working to transform our approach to connecting with alumni, friends and parents. It is our goal to build meaningful relationships with all of the individuals who have been a part of IVMSON’s past and those who are integral in our efforts to build for the future. In this issue you will read about some of the new initiatives that we have embarked upon, including our newly restructured Advisory Board and our inaugural Moffett Nurse Network events. I am tremendously grateful for the alumni and community volunteers who have readily embraced our plans and helped us launch these efforts. We look forward to working with our numerous volunteers and to visiting with alumni and friends in their hometowns. It is always a pleasure to have the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Regardless of how you’re connected to IVMSON, we all share the same passion for nursing education and for fostering the dreams of our incredible students who continue to embrace Mrs. Moffett’s vision for academic excellence, caring, compassion and service. Her legacy lives on in these students and the faculty who lead them. As we move into spring, IVMSON has much to celebrate and we hope that you will enjoy reading our latest news in this edition of The Pulse. As always, thank you for taking the time to learn more about the many things going on at IVMSON and for continuing to support our students with your gifts, your time and your prayers. Nena F. Sanders, DSN, RN Ralph W. Beeson Dean and Professor

Message from the Dean: The Golden Thread

In This Issue:

U.S. News &

World Report Ranks Nurse Anesthesia Program

IVMSON

Welcomes New Advisory Board Members

Moffett Nurse

Network News and Events

Donor Story:

Honoring a mother and nurse

HEAL

Conference and more...

The Pulse

“Caring is the shining thread of gold that holds together the tapestry of life." Mrs. Ida V. Moffett

Follow Us Online!

To stay up to date on IVMSON news between issues of The Pulse, be sure to follow us on our social media sites!

The inaugural cohort of the accelerated second degree bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program has achieved a rare 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN examination. These students graduated in December 2010 and IVMSON is excited to celebrate their success. The accelerated second degree program provides students who already hold a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science in nursing degree in just 15 months. IVMSON has a long-standing tradition of exceeding the average for national licensure pass rates. The May 2010 NCLEX-RN pass rate was 98.2% for all IVMSON BSN graduates. Although complete statistics for the December 2010 graduates from the traditional BSN program are not yet available, early results indicate that the pass rate will near or exceed the 2010 average. The national passing average is 87.42%. IVMSON is proud of the students who help continue the school’s tradition of academic excellence.

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2011

New Program Continues Tradition of NCLEX Success

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Nurse Anesthesia Program Earns National Ranking

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the IVMSON Nurse Anesthesia Program among the best in the country. The program, ranked #32 on the list of programs for 2011, is in the top one third of all programs in the country. This year marks the first time that the program was eligible for ranking. Congratulations to all of the students, faculty and alumni who

have contributed to the success of this program. To view the

complete list, please click here.

Save the Date:

IVMSON Awards Day: Friday, April 29

IVMSON Pinning and Commencement: Friday, May 13

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IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2011

IVMSON Advisory Board Restructures and Welcomes New Members

On Friday, February 25, IVMSON confirmed 22 members for the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing Advisory Board. The board consists of 10 new members and 12 returning; these leaders reflect a wide variety of professions and organizations throughout the state and region. The Advisory Board provides advice, leadership and support for the continuing development of high quality academic programs of IVMSON. Recently, the board restructured into a committee driven model to foster an environment where board members have clear opportunities to impact change within the school. Jo Kicker, President of the Advisory Board and class of 1958 alumna, is pleased with the recent restructuring. “I think these committees will help board members focus on things specific to their expertise,” says Kicker. “This will definitely help us develop a stronger board.” Kicker and the board plan to increase the use of technology for alumni through social media sites and the school’s website in order to help alumni stay involved and aware of nursing school events and achievements. The board also plans to assist with achieving capital campaign goals, organizing alumni across the country, and facilitating academic affairs and student life activities. According to Kicker, the restructure is welcome, and she is excited about what it means for the nursing school. “The Dean and the Advisory Board have a vision that I hope I can help them accomplish,” says Kicker. “Moffett has grown so much in the past ten years, and I hope it continues for the next ten years and more.” IVMSON is grateful for the Advisory Board members who so graciously volunteer their time, talent, resources and prayers to support IVMSON.

2011 Members:

Ms. Lisa Allison*

Mrs. Cyndi Bass*

Ms. Sheila Benson*

Mr. Roger Cartwright*

Ms. Carolyn Chalkley

Mrs. Marla Corts

Mr. Charlie Faulkner

Dr. Sandra Ford*

Mr. David Fort

Mr. Kerry Gossett

Mr. Larry Hornsby

Mrs. Jo D. Kicker

Mrs. Cheryl Kirchner

Ms. Mary Nunnally*

Dr. Wanda Lee

Dr. Stuart Pope

Dr. Carol Ratcliffe

Ms. Sylvia Rayfield

Mr. Andy Romine*

Mrs. Julie Weber*

Dr. Cindy Williams

Ms. Regina

Yarbrough*

* Denotes New

Member

Committees and Chairs

Academic Affairs and Student Life: Cyndi Bass, Chair

External Relations and Communications: Charlie Faulkner,

Chair

Resource Development: Kerry Gossett, Chair

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2011

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Alumni News and Events

The Moffett Nurse Network, IVMSON’s effort to connect alumni with one another as well as their alma mater, kicked off with its first event on March 28th in Chattanooga, TN. Tremendous thanks to Kelli Arendale Hand, MSB/MBA 2002, BSN 1998, for helping facilitate this inaugural event. Chattanooga was just the beginning! There are many other alumni events coming soon. Please see the list below for upcoming events; additional details can be found on our website. RSVPs for all events should be directed to Katie Stripling at kstripli@samford.edu or 205-726-2265.

Samford Gives Back: IVMSON Team Birmingham Moffett Nurses will partner with IVMSON students, faculty and staff to serve as M-Power Ministries.

Saturday, April 2 from 9-1 p.m. M-Power Ministries 4022 4th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35222 **For those interested, breakfast and a devotional will begin at 8:00 a.m. in the Seibert lobby at Samford. It is not required that you attend the opening at Seibert; but if you are a student who would like to receive convo credit (at least 4 hours), you must be present. There will be an attendant available to swipe your ID. For directions to M-Power, click here.

Moffett Nurse Network in Carrollton, GA Join us for food, fellowship and giveaways!

Monday, April 11 from 6-8 p.m. Plates on the Square (upstairs) 301 Adamson Square Carrollton, GA

Moffett Nurse Network in Nashville, TN Join IVMSON for Dinner with the Dean

Monday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. The Old Spaghetti Factory 160 North 2nd Avenue Nashville, TN

Moffett Nurse Network Celebrates Nurses Week in local hospitals with Birmingham Area Alumni May 3 - May 12 Details and official schedule coming soon.

Department of Nurse Anesthesia Reception Join nurse anesthesia alumni, students and faculty for a reception while attending the ALANA spring meeting.

Friday, May 6 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort, Destin, FL

If you are interested in helping IVMSON initiate a Moffett Nurse Network event in your area, please contact Katie Stripling at 205-726-2265 or kstripli@samford.edu.

Jill Pence, MSN, RN and John Lundeen, MSN, RN presented “Evolution of Simulation at a Small Faith-Based University” at the Human Patient Simulation Network 2011 Annual Conference in Tampa, FL. Geri Beers, EdD, RN and Cindy Berry, DNP, RN recently achieved the certified nurse educator credential. The mission of the Academic Nurse Educator Certification Program is to recognize excellence in the advanced specialty role of the academic nurse educator. Eva Hardy, MSN, RN, had an article “Gout Diagnosis and Management: What PCP’s Need to Know” accepted for publication by The Nurse Practitioner . Nina McLain, PhD, CRNA, submitted a grant to the Komen Foundation that earned a $65,000 gift for the Runnels Foundation-Operation Bloom program. Operation Bloom’s goal is to reduce the breast cancer death rate in Mississippi through early detection. This is accomplished by providing free breast examinations and screening, education, and referral services. Since December, Operation Bloom has served over 350 women; more than 20 of whom have had positive findings. For more information, visit http://opbloom.org/.

Caroline Smith, BSN student, was recently selected as a Samford Ambassador. Susan Beaird, DNP student, has been selected to present her poster, “Emergency Seizure Medications in the School Setting: An Educational Intervention Impacting School Nurse Knowledge and Beliefs” for the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner's conference this month. Marylee Bressie, DNP student, has been selected to present her paper, “Integrating Palliative Care in the ICU” for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Annual Meeting in September in Atlanta, Ga.

Accolades, Honors, and Acknowledgments—Alumni and Students

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2011

Accolades, Honors, and Acknowledgments—Faculty and Staff

Page 5

Jill Pence and John Lundeen at

the Simulation Conference

Save the Date for Alumni Reunions in 2011

Class of 1961 50th Anniversary Reunion Weekend September 30 – October 2, 2011 Pine Mountain, GA Class leadership will mail details soon.

Class of 1960 Annual Reunion Saturday, October 29 Center for Healing Arts, Samford University Additional details coming soon.

Interested in planning a reunion for your class? Contact Katie Stripling.

Continuing the Tradition: Honoring a beloved nurse through scholarships

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2011

In 2010, Birmingham resident Jennifer Forbes established the Mary Anne Blake Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing. The fund was created to honor the memory of Forbes’s beloved mother, Mary Anne Blake, a longtime critical care nurse. The inaugural Mary Anne Blake Memorial Scholarship award was made in Spring 2011 to IVMSON senior, Jane Cunningham. Cunningham embodies many of the traits that Forbes remembered seeing in her mother, whose compassion and dedication to patient care and advocacy touched the lives of many patients and families. Over lunch in late February, Forbes and Cunningham shared many discussions about what it takes to be

a great nurse and how Mary Anne Blake’s memory would live on in Cunningham’s practice. Mary Anne Blake attended nursing school at St. Mary's in Knoxville, TN where she graduated first in her class and was president of the Student Nursing Association. While working full time and raising her two daughters as a single parent, Blake returned to school at the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing and obtained her BSN in 1978. She worked in many local hospitals and at the Hoover Family Medicine general practice of her husband Dr. James Blake. Mary Anne loved her career as a critical care nurse and positively affected many lives. She is remembered for her vibrant spirit of tireless giving and her selfless dedication to her family and friends. Forbes, an avid artist and nursing advocate, lives in Birmingham with her husband and two children.

Rumpshaker 5K A Success for IVMSON Team!

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The Rumpshaker has come and gone! The IVMSON team did really well this year! The team was made up of 14 students, faculty, and family members and was the 4th fastest team out of 85 co-ed teams! Congratulations to Dan Carter (Dr. Marian Carter’s husband) and Tyler Treadwell (Jane Holston's son) for placing in their age categories! Those guys are fast - and Dan does it bare-footed! There were several former students running and they were excited to see IVMSON’s continued participation in the race. Please make plans to attend/run/walk/cheer in next year's race and see what all the fun is about! More good news—this year's race raised over $100,000 for local GI labs and colon cancer research in the Birmingham area. There were over 3,100 participants this year which was a 50% increase from last year's race! Thanks to every-one who had a part in that! Make plans to join the IVMSON team next year!

Savannah Hill, senior, and Hannah Dawson, sophomore, were part of the Samford Women’s Basketball team who won the SoCon tournament and played in the first round of the NCAA tournament. This was the first time in the program’s history that the team has made it to the NCAA tournament.

Hill led the team to victory in the SoCon tournament

championship and was named tournament MVP.

Congratulations Savannah and Hannah!

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IVMSON Students Part of History Making Women’s Basketball Team

IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER March 2011

Savannah Hill Hannah Dawson

Join IVMSON at the HEAL Conference

The Healthcare Ethics and Law Institute (HEAL) of

Samford University's

McWhorter School of Pharmacy

10th Anniversary Conference

Friday, April 8, 2011

Eliminating Healthcare Delivery Disparities: An Ethical Quagmire?

Speakers:

· Joseph O. Dean, Jr., Ph.D. who was instrumental in the founding of HEAL while he was the Dean of the

McWhorter School of Pharmacy, will be receiving the 2011 Pellegrino Medal.

· Gregory E. Pence, Ph.D., Dr. Pence is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Alabama at Birming-

ham and recipient of the Pellegrino Medal in 2006.

· David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., the 16th Surgeon General of the United States, is currently Director of The

Satcher Health Leadership Institute and occupies the Poussaint-Satcher-Cosby Chair in Mental Health at the More-

house School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He will be receiving the 2011 Pellegrino Medal.

· Robert Veatch, Ph.D., a pioneer in medical ethics, is Professor of Medical Ethics at the Kennedy Institute

of Ethics and a Professor in the Philosophy Department at Georgetown. He will also be receiving the 2011 Pelle-

grino Medal

REGISTER HERE Information: Contact:

Cost: $99

McWhorter School of Pharmacy

205-726-2820

Dates To Remember

If you have any student, fac-ulty, or alumni awards, presen-tations, conferences, scholar-

ships, photographs or any other announcements, etc.

that you would like posted in the next edition of The Pulse,

please send them to kstripli@samford.edu or call 205-726-2265

...to all who participated in providing information for this newsletter.

“Caring is the shining thread of gold that holds together the tapestry of life.” Mrs. Ida V. Moffett

Page 9

SPECIAL THANKS

Share Your News!

April 1: SUANS meeting April 2: Samford Gives Back April 8: HEAL Conference April 11: Moffett Nurse Network, Carrollton, GA April 29: Awards Day May 2: Moffett Nurse Network, Nashville, TN May 3 –12: Birmingham Area Nurses Week Cele-brations May 6: SUANS Meeting May 6: Department of Nurse Anesthesia Recep-tion in Destin, FL May 13: IVMSON pinning and graduation

NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Remember to Follow Us!

Katie Stripling kstripli@samford.edu 205-726-2265

800 Lakeshore Drive

Birmingham, AL 35229

Phone: 205-726-2872

http://nursing.samford.edu

Interested in supporting a particular fund or program at IVMSON? Visit

http://www.samford.edu/giving/nursing.aspx for a list of ongoing

IVMSON needs as well as links to make a gift online.

Thank you for your consideration!

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