Mission to Guatemala – Day 2
Mission to Guatemala 2012
by Constance Taras
Today was both exhausting and exhilarating. We started off the day at the government hospital in the heart of Guatemala City. The OT and PT students split into our respective gyms to work with a few of the children scheduled for the day. I broke off with a few other PT students to work with 3 babies in the stimulation room where we observed the mothers learning at home stretches for their children as well as visual stimulation activities. We then were able to take the children into a dark room and work with lights to work on visual tracking and postural control. The child I worked with, Cido, started off with a lag as he was following the blinking glow stick and by the end of the 5 minute exercise was successful able to track with his eyes and head in all directions. The progress, even if just small, was extremely rewarding.
We then moved into the main gym and worked with some of the inpatient clients. These children presented with an array of problems from CP to malnutrition. We worked with the Guatemalan PTs to learn what was already being used to help the children as well as suggesting other activities. I loved the hands on opportunities to work directly with the children implementing techniques learned in school as well as learning new ones along the way. After breaking for lunch, a group of us traveled to the local Physical Therapy school to have a collaborative lab with their students. It was extremely challenging to engage with Spanish speaking students and to collectively come up with activities that could benefit both PTs and OTs. We emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration between the disciplines. It was amazing to see that although communication was difficult we were able to complete the task as a bi-cultural group. The visit to the school ended our work day but left me with an amazing feeling of accomplishment and excitement for the days to come.
Mission to Guatemala – Day 1
Mission to Guatemala 2012
by Jennifer Tong and Morgan King
Jennifer: It was an early start to the morning as we gathered as a team to travel to Guatemala! This has a been a trip that I have been anticipating even before I started PT school at Belmont. The morning was filled with a combination of excitement and exhaustion. We arrived in Guatemala with all of our team members and all of our luggage! We all hopped on a bus and arrived at the pediatrics surgery center to have lunch and tour the facility. Before I talk about the surgery center, I need to mention the streets and the people that I saw. There were people walking everywhere and random booths set up by the locals. The toughest thing to see was the poverty in this country. There were these two children sitting on the sidewalk, holding a cup in their hand, and begging for money. This was just another reminder of how I take everything for granted, especially the things I don't even think about that like a roof over my head, a bed, food, and water. Now, about the surgery center! This surgery center was built for children who are less fortunate and can't afford to pay for the necessary surgeries. It was so inspiring to hear about the difference these surgeons were making in lives of so many children in Guatemala. I'm excited to see the difference our team is going to make in the lives of the people in Guatemala this week!
Morgan: Arrived in Guatemala City around noon to a crowd of individuals waiting behind barriers at the airport (now I know what celebrities feel like). We loaded a school bus and headed to the Surgery Center for lunch and to take a tour of the facility. I was sort of in culture shock at the surgery center because I realized how fortunate we are in the United States to have so many necessities. The surgery center was perfect though for the families in Guatemala. Children's paintings with bible verses were all over the facility. It was amazing to see the hard work and volunteers that have helped put the center together and make it possible to help families out in Guatemala with surgeries that would never be possible without the help of Shalom. After we left the surgery center, we took a "crazy" bus ride through the city to the Nazarene center. People are walking all over the streets (men, women, children). Let's just saw I saw my life and other peoples life flash before my eyes with the traffic in Guatemala. Once we arrived at the center we checked in our rooms and all hung out with our team. We got the chance to learn about a lot of our members and talk about the culture shock of the things we saw in Guatemala. Now it's bed time. Big day tomorrow! Full of exciting events at the Orphanage and local hospital.
Mission to Guatemala – Arrival
Mission to Guatemala 2012
by Tiffany Campbell
Today was our arrival into Guatemala City. After arriving into the airport our whole team was transported by a yellow school bus to the pediatric Moore Surgery center for lunch and a tour. Driving to the surgery center was nerve wrecking. Traffic rules are more like suggestions here, which is something I personally have never experienced. We received our itinerary for the week, watched a video about the surgery center, and Claudia gave us some words of encouragement for the week. She made it known to us even though we may not be able to speak Spanish, we can smile and give a hug because love is a universal language. After that we were very worn out from getting up so early and flights so we checked in at the Nazarene Seminary where we are staying for the week.
Team Members include: Tamara Garvey, Kelly Brown, Jennifer Tong, Andrea Wheman, Carly Walls, Allison Toole, Lindley Holder, Rachel Haddock, Darcy King, Alison Martin, Amanda Sisco, Morgan King, Aimee Costa, Mary Beth Long, Jami Graham, Constance Taras, Tessa Irwin, Britt Colston, Ashley Ganus, Sheila Robb, Jenna Briggs, Tyler Servedio, Casea Calvert, Tiffany Campbell, Leslie Simmons, Cassandra Goble, Jamie Adam, Natham Adam and Joe Doughty.
Belmont University Celebrates College of Pharmacy Charter Class Graduation
The Belmont University College of Pharmacy (BUCOP) will celebrate the graduation of its charter class on May 5 with 65 members of the Class of 2012 expected to cross the stage to receive their Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. After opening its doors in 2007, the College of Pharmacy accepted its first students in fall 2008, and the initial class has paved the way for future BUCOP students, setting a high standard for academic excellence and community service.
Belmont’s College of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Phil Johnston said, “The University and the Nashville community have enabled us to develop a stellar College of Pharmacy at Belmont. I am proud of the commitment of faculty and students to take on leadership roles in this profession to make a difference in thousands of lives. Also important is the contribution of more than 450 affiliate faculty, who open their businesses to our students to provide quality education and mentoring.”
Belmont President Bob Fisher said, “As these students hang their degrees in offices and wear their white coats in labs, retail pharmacies, hospitals and clinics across the United States, they demonstrate the University’s mission to engage and transform the world. Belmont is especially grateful to Trustee Emeritus Clayton McWhorter who, inspired by his brother, the late pharmacist Fred McWhorter, endowed support to the state-of-the-art academic building that houses the College of Pharmacy. We are honored to have our students follow their example of living in service to others and championing healthcare reform.”
Hobson to Present Poster at Pharmacy Education 2012
Dr. Eric Hobson, of the Department of Pharmaceutical, Social & Administrative Sciences, had his poster titled Economics of Reciprocity in Strong NGO-Academic Global Health Partnerships accepted to be presented at the annual meeting Pharmacy Education 2012 of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in July.
As the first step in a longitudinal analysis of strong, long-term medical mission partnerships between NGOs and academic institutions, this qualitative project identifies equity-sensitivity profiles, ROI assumptions, and partnership equity assessments from the organizational leadership of two entities engaged in a long-term, mutually-beneficial medical missions project serving the children of Guatemala: The Shalom Foundation and the Belmont University College of Pharmacy.
Applicants invited for DNP Inaugural Class
Belmont University School of Nursing invites applications for its inaugural class in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program beginning this Fall.
The application deadline has been extended until June 29, 2012, although admission decisions will be made as soon as individual applications are complete.
The Belmont DNP is a 20-month post-MSN program offered in a hybrid format convenient for working nurse professionals throughout the United States -- combining on-campus intensive weekend experiences approximately 4 times each semester with online coursework and interactions.
For 40 years, Belmont has been preparing nurse professionals, this year enrolling nearly 500 BSN and 100 MSN students. For 7 consecutive years, 100% of Belmont MSN graduates have passed the national FNP certification examination on their first attempt. This commitment to quality continues with this new advanced degree.
More information about the Belmont DNP is available online at www.belmont.edu/dnp
Bursch receives Outstanding Service Award from TPTA
Gail Bursch, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, recently received the Outstanding Service Award from the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association (TPTA). The award recognizes dedication and hard work as demonstrated through extraordinary service, a distinctive role in the field of teaching, research or publishing, and outstanding contributions to the profession and health-related community organizations.
Dr. Baron Johnson, a physical therapist from Maryville, Tennessee who nominated Bursch for the award, commented on “the countless hours she has dedicated serving the profession of physical therapy and the Tennessee association.” He added that, “her leadership example and dedication to the profession has influenced and challenged me to serve for many years.” “This award recognizes the spirit of service we see each day in working with Gail,” said Dr. John Halle, Associate Dean in the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing and Program Chair of the Belmont University School of Physical Therapy. “We’re happy for her and celebrate with her in receiving this award.”
Professor Bursch is Director of Clinical Education for the School of Physical Therapy. She has served at Belmont since the University initiated a graduate program in PT in 1997. Prior to coming to Belmont, Bursch was Administrative Director of Rehab Services at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville and started her professional career as a physical therapist at University of Kentucky Medical Center. She earned a Bachelor of Health Science in Physical Therapy and a Master of Science in Education from University of Kentucky. She is a licensed physical therapist and certified wound specialist and has supplemented her education with nearly two hundred continuing education opportunities. She has been published with her research on Interrater Reliability of Diastasis Recti Abdominis Measurement, as well as with articles authored or coauthored in Volunteer Voice and Rehab Management. She has made dozens of professional presentations and is an active member of the PT profession.
Students hear from healthcare professionals from Community Health Systems
Earlier this week, more than 200 Belmont University health science students and faculty attended a lunchtime panel discussion on “Emerging Issues and Hot Topics in Acute Care” presented by health professionals from Community Health Systems and sponsored by the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing. The discussion provided students with information about practice changes and new career paths that are developing because of the changes occurring nationally in acute care.
Community Health Systems is a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in the United States. The organization's affiliates own, operate or lease 134 hospitals in 29 states, with approximately 19,800 beds. Community Health Systems-affiliated hospitals are the sole provider of healthcare services in more than 60 percent of the markets they serve.
Panelists included Barbara Paul, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Community Health Systems, a board certified internist who spent 12 years in fulltime practice before entering administration; Keri McKamey, RN, BSN, Emergency Room Director at Heritage Medical Center in Shelbyville, TN, who has 16 years experience in surgery and emergency nursing; Nina Jackson, RN, MSN, CCRN, Director of Critical Care, Step-Down and Cardiovascular Nursing at Gateway Medical Center in Clarksville, TN, who has over 23 years of critical care/ICU nursing experience; Vickie Vaughn, RN, CNOR, Director of Surgical Services at Heritage Medical Center, who has over 30 years experience in the healthcare industry; and Jennifer Brandon, MS-CCP/SLP, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Gateway Medical Center, a practicing speech-language pathologist with over 12 years of experience.
“This was an exceptional opportunity for our students to ask questions and interact with practicing healthcare professionals to learn about the workplace they will soon enter,” said Dr. Cathy Taylor, Dean of the College of Health Sciences.
Ashley Pratt, a senior nursing student from Brentwood, said she learned “that nursing is not how it used to be and being able to adapt to changes locally and nationally is an essential part of nursing care today.” Leslie Vecchio, a second degree nursing student from Nashville, said of the presenters, “it was inspiring to hear them tell their unique stories about how they got to where they are now and it was interesting to hear how the atmosphere on the clinical floor is changing to include more interdisciplinary interaction between practices, and also with patients and families.” She added, “This really emphasized what we are learning here, the importance of teamwork. “
The Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing is preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals with clinical doctorates in nursing practice, occupational therapy and physical therapy, master’s level programs in occupational therapy and nursing for family nurse practitioners, and undergraduate programs in nursing and social work. The College of Health Sciences along with the College of Pharmacy is housed at Belmont University in a state-of-the-art complex featuring advanced laboratories, a health services clinic with a teaching pharmacy, and cutting edge patient simulation technology which has earned the College national recognition as a Laerdal Center of Educational Excellence.
Bynum to Present Poster at Pharmacy Education 2012
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Leign Ann Bynum was recently selected to have her poster titled Factors Influencing Organizational Citizenship Behaviors Among Pharmacy Faculty presented at the annual Pharmacy Education 2012 meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in July.
In her study, Bynum and her team tested the effects of perceived psychological contract breach, equity sensitivity and identity salience on the performance of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) directed towards Schools of Pharmacy by Pharmacy faculty. The effects that discipline and pharmacy licensure status have on OCB were also examined.
Folds receives Presidential Faculty Achievement Award
Dr. Leslie Folds, associate professor of nursing, was awarded the 2012 Presidential Faculty Achievement Award at Belmont's spring awards ceremony. The Presidential Faculty Achievement Award is presented each year to a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to student life outside the classroom. The award honors and recognizes excellence in faculty-student relationships, special abilities in meeting student needs – academic, personal and professional – and symbolizes Belmont University’s commitment to being a student-centered institution.
Folds said, “I feel so honored, blessed and humbled to receive the Presidential Faculty Achievement Award and to work at Belmont University where the focus for all of us as administrators, faculty and staff is to use our unique gifts to serve students. Every decision I make, I always ask myself ‘How will this impact my students?’”
Also nominated for the award was Dr. Kelley Kiningham from the College of Pharmacy.