Monthly Archives: June 2020

Belmont University Joins Governor Bill Lee’s TN Strong Mask Movement

Posted on by
Belmont-Branded Face Mask

Belmont University is partnering with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s Economic Recovery Group (ERG) on the new TN Strong Mask Movement, a plan to distribute more than 300,000 free or low-cost cloth face coverings across the state through partnerships with 31 flagship brands at a projected value of more than $3 million.

While Belmont will use a portion of the masks for its campus, many will be distributed to members of neighboring communities in partnership with The Store. The Store, which opened earlier this year, is a free, referral-based grocery store started by Belmont alumnus Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams Paisley, which provides groceries to people working toward self-sufficiency. Through this movement, patrons of The Store will leave not only with important food resources, but also a resource to help manage the risk of COVID-19. Continue reading →

Dr. Plummer Selected for ISWP Educators Training Package Consortium

Posted on by

Dr. Teresa Plummer, PhD, OTR/L, ATP, CEAS, CAPS was nominated and selected among more than 70 therapists across the globe to be a member of the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals Educators Training Package Consortium.

As a mandate from the World Health Organization, occupational therapy and physical therapy programs are encouraged to increase the learning opportunities for knowledge related to wheelchair service and delivery. Few resources exist in low income and middle income countries. The outcome of the ISWP project will create learning resources for all socioeconomic levels.

Continue reading →

College of Pharmacy Celebrates Key Placements in Healthcare Informatics

Posted on by

group of pharmacy students

3rd Cohort of Students create Artificial Intelligence Software for Amazon Alexa at Belmont University

Tears of joy, hugs and lots of high-fives were abundant at Belmont University as pharmacy students revealed where they were accepted into residency this spring.

Belmont’s College of Pharmacy fourth-year students joined thousands of students nationwide on match day, where each individual learned where they will continue their pharmacy training after graduation in May. Students within the Healthcare Informatics track that participated in the residency match will continue their careers as residents at institutions across the country this summer.

Belmont University’s College of Pharmacy is becoming a nationally-recognized center for practice and leadership in pharmacy education with an innovative clinical doctorate. Building on the traditional Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum, the college offers students the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas: pharmacy management, healthcare informatics, missions and pharmacotherapy. Each of these areas educate students for life-long professional improvement and service as competent and compassionate practitioners. Continue reading →

Alumna Offered Occupational Therapy Fellowship at Johns Hopkins

Posted on by

Katy SchmidtKaty (Coffer) Schmidt was recently offered a mental health occupational therapy fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Schmidt received her Bachelor’s degrees in Psychological Science and Music Performance from Belmont in 2016 and a doctoral degree in occupational therapy from Belmont in 2019.

For 12 months beginning in August, Schmidt will gain mentored advanced clinical practice and didactic experiences in eight psychiatric settings. She will also have opportunities for research, advocacy, program development and teaching.Although many occupational therapists across the country apply for this position, only one fellowship is awarded each year.

This fellowship will contribute to Schmidt’s eligibility for an American Occupational Therapy Association Board Certification in Mental Health.

School of Nursing Receives Grant to Address Shortage of Nurse Educators

Posted on by

Belmont University’s School of Nursing received a $285,000 Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to address the national shortage of nurse educators who are committed to educating the next generation of nurses and family nurse practitioners.

Dr. Cathy Taylor, dean of the College of Health Sciences and Nursing, stated, “Congratulations to the School of Nursing and primary authors, Dr. Martha Buckner and Dr. Linda Wofford, for securing funding to initiate an exciting new chapter for graduate nursing at Belmont. This award will enable us to support talented students and directly impact the growing national shortage of nurse educators in a meaningful way. It’s a win-win.”

In addition to the traditional Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education in the family nurse practitioner (FNP) role, students will obtain coursework specific to the role of a nursing educator. Students in the Belmont NFLP will benefit from mentor-ship, strong nurse educator preparation, as well as monetary support to pursue doctoral education and loan forgiveness. Easing the financial barrier to doctoral education will improve the supply of nurse educators and nurse practitioner preceptors.

The program will provide loan forgiveness of up to 85 percent of Belmont tuition, fees and associated costs if graduates are employed full time as family nurse practitioner preceptors or faculty in any school of nursing in the United States for four years following graduation. Students will have one year after graduation to secure appropriate employment. Continue reading →