Belmont University and Nashville State Community College today announced the renewal of a nursing studies partnership between the two institutions. The partnership was created many years ago for students who plan to attend Belmont to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Before transferring, students satisfy the prerequisites needed and earn an Associate Degree in Health Science at Nashville State. Belmont holds a maximum of 16 seats for Nashville State students each year.
With the city of Nashville attracting more and more health care industry, the partnership continues to build a strong pipeline of quality nursing talent for an ever-growing workforce. The agreement’s extension was finalized at a signing ceremony held on Nashville State’s White Bridge campus Tuesday afternoon.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Nashville State through the renewal of this agreement,” said Belmont President Dr. L. Gregory Jones. “Given that Nashville is the health care capital of the world, we understand the role higher education institutions in our city must play in educating the next generation of health care talent. With the shortages health care is seeing amidst the pandemic, we are eager to support the growing pipeline of nurses across this region and beyond.”
“This program creates another Nashville State bridge to Belmont for students seeking a bachelor’s degree in nursing,” said Nashville State President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson. “The College is focused on increasing the talent pipeline in Nashville and strengthening our transfer pathways is key. We thank Belmont for the continued partnership.”
Belmont University’s School of Nursing is one of 23 nursing programs from across the country to have been named a 2021 National League for Nursing (NLN) “Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.” Belmont was formally recognized in the “Enhance student learning and professional development” category at the Honors Convocation during the 2021 NLN Education Summit this fall.
The Center of Excellence designation is a public expression of the ongoing, high quality, day-to-day work that Belmont faculty and staff do in preparing the next generation of professional nurses and nurse practitioners, reflective of a sustained pattern of excellence in nursing education set long ago.
Associate Dean of Nursing Dr. Martha Buckner said, “I am so grateful for the heritage of strong past leadership of this program and for our current faculty, staff and students who give their all in pursuit of excellence.”
Buckner said the designation came after a year-long process of faculty reflection, planning, collaboration, data collection and writing. The lengthy application describes the School of Nursing as “a community of learners that fosters high levels of student engagement and professional development.” The key emphases of the application included dynamic curricula at both undergraduate and graduate levels, Belmont’s nationally accredited simulation center, a focus on interprofessional education and rich opportunities for service learning and community service.
The NLN Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education program, established in 2004, publicly recognizes schools of nursing and health care organizations that set high standards, are committed to continuous quality improvement and demonstrate sustained, evidence-based and substantive innovation. These organizations are applauded for their vision to go beyond the norm and achieve excellence in student learning and professional development, pedagogical expertise of faculty or the science of nursing education.
“National League for Nursing Centers of Excellence help raise the bar for all nursing programs by role modeling visionary leadership and environments of inclusive excellence that nurture the next generation of a strong and diverse nursing workforce to advance the health of the nation and the global community,” said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FANN.
Since its opening in 1972, the School of Nursing at Belmont University has remained focused on its mission of fostering a Christ-centered community that creates a culture of openness and mutual respect, excellence in teaching and the privilege of service. Belmont’s School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an accelerated second degree program, a Masters of Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. The school prides itself in its student’s exceptional success rates. In 2019, the NCLEX passing rate was 93 percent and the FNP Certification pass rate was 100 percent. The School of Nursing takes pride in being a Center of Excellence and looks forward to future successes to come.
The 2021 NLN Centers of Excellence include honorees in the following categories:
Enhance student learning and professional development
Belmont University
Community College of Philadelphia
Georgia College and State University School of Nursing
Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing
Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing
Rutgers, School of Nursing-Camden
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Tennessee Health Science Center – College of Nursing
Ursuline College
Western Governors University
Promote the pedagogical expertise of faculty
Emory University
Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing
Uniformed Services University Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing
University of Florida College of Nursing
University of North Carolina-Greensboro
University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Creating workplace environments that promote the academic progression of nurses
Cleveland Clinic
Duke University Health System
Morton College
The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City Division
Advance the science of nursing education
Duke University School of Nursing
Indiana University School of Nursing
University of Texas at Arlington-College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Ten-member, joint class–inducted today by event emcee John Seigenthaler–recognizes esteemed pioneers, leaders, educators, executives and researchers in health and health care from across the state
The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame this week inducted its 2020 and 2021 classes at a ceremony held in Belmont’s newly opened Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. The dual-year class is made up of 10 health care leaders and legends from across the state.
The Hall of Fame, which was created by Belmont University, Belmont’s McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council, seeks to recognize and honor the leaders that have formed Tennessee’s heath and health care community.
College of Health Sciences and Nursing Dean and Professor Dr. Cathy Taylor recently served on the Chronic Disease Prevention Task Force for the State of Tennessee, spearheaded by Senator Rosalind Kurita. Taylor, along with two other experts, received an invitation from the Governor’s Office, in conjunction with the commissioner of health, to act as a subject matter expert to make recommendations for improving the health of Tennesseans.
Taylor and her team, which included Belmont public health students Genevieve Delano and Deviyani Bajpai, conducted online research and interviews to make recommendations to the task force. Despite the interruption of COVID-19 on the team’s research, Taylor and her team contributed to the final recommendation to allow local authorization to limit tobacco smoking and vaping in public spaces. The recommendation was passed into legislation by the 112th General Assembly.
Senior nursing major Veronica Bernaba was recently selected as one of six 2021 recipients of the BlueCross Power of We Scholarship. The scholarship, funded by the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, awards $10,000 to outstanding minority students pursuing careers in the health care field with a goal of helping to reduce health disparities by improving diversity in the state’s health care workforce and combating systemic racism and injustice.
Bernaba has been on a clear path to health care, but there have been obstacles. This scholarship will allow her to reach her goals without worrying about financial support. “I understand what it’s like to be affected by health disparities and what it’s like to feel underrepresented and not have anyone advocate for you,” Bernaba said in a video in BlueCross’s announcement. “I want to be that type of nurse that evokes change in her community.”
To do that, Bernaba said you have to understand your patients’ lives in order to treat their bodies holistically.
Grant Recipients Receive Additional Coursework Specific to Nurse Educator Role
For the second year in a row, Belmont University’s School of Nursing received the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to train nursing educators. A cost matching award, Belmont was awarded federal funds of $422,317 from HRSA, and the University will match with $46,924. This grant addresses the ongoing shortage of nurse educators by offering Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student scholarships of 85 percent tuition reduction with an agreement that the students will serve as nursing faculty or FNP preceptors for four years after graduation.
In addition to the traditional 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 mentorship, strong nurse educator preparation, and 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.
On July 13, the College of Health Sciences and Nursing hosted approximately 70 high school teachers and advisers for the Tennessee Career and Technical Education Conference. The participants rotated through demonstrations and presentations of each of the disciplines in the College of Health Sciences and Nursing, exposing them to the professions and giving them suggested activities to introduce their students to these careers.
In addition, this was an opportunity to showcase the Belmont facilities to teachers and advisers who will be working with high school students as they consider their college options.
The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, including “I have been going to this conference for years and this has been the best.” Many expressed interest in bringing their students to campus.
2019 Healthcare Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon at Belmont University. rPhoto by Billy Kingsley
Belmont University has announced the sixth and seventh inductee classes of the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame. Because last year’s inductee class was not able to be recognized in person due to COVID-19, this year’s event will honor both the 2020 and 2021 classes at a ceremony on October 19.
With a mission to honor men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industries, the Hall of Fame was created in 2015 by founding partners Belmont University, the McWhorter Society and the Nashville Health Care Council.
“Over the course of the past 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has refocused the spotlight on the health care industry and the important role health care professionals play in each of our lives,” said Belmont President Dr. L. Gregory Jones. “Now more than ever, we want to honor the leaders in this vital field, individuals who demonstrate the character, compassion and strength of purpose that quite literally transforms lives on a daily basis.”
Tim Stewart, director of service-learning at Belmont University, and Leigh Holdsambeck, a graduate student in Belmont’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, are both recipients of a 2021 Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award. The awards were created and named for late Representative Harold Love, Sr. to celebrate and honor students, faculty and staff in higher education across Tennessee who have demonstrated exemplary service in their communities.
Each year, five awards are given to students, and five awards are given to faculty/staff, and each individual recipient receives a cash prize of $1,000. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission was given the charge to implement this recognition, and a task force of institutional and board representatives convenes annually to review submitted proposals.
New Belmont University President Dr. L. Gregory Jones isn’t easing into his new position. Rather, Dr. Jones—along with his wife, the Rev. Susan Pendleton Jones—is using his first day in office to make an immediate impact with campus and community leaders through a full day of meetings and conversations across the city, all introducing his theme for his inaugural year, “Let Hope Abound.”
Belmont University announced today that its new College of Medicine, first announced last October, will be named in honor of health care icon Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Jr., co-founder of HCA Healthcare. In addition to its name, the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University enjoys strong ties with HCA Healthcare, whose Nashville-based TriStar Health will provide residencies and clinical rotations for students of the college.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “We have exceedingly high aspirations for this new College of Medicine. We know that we will have to earn a world-class reputation over time, but we intend to deliver a world-class learning environment beginning on day one with outstanding faculty, staff, students, physical resources and clinical experiences. It’s been said that a good name is more valuable than anything else, and the name ‘Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine’ signals our determination to create an innovative, entrepreneurial approach to compassionate, patient-centered care that will settle for nothing less than the very best. We are deeply honored by the trust that Dr. Frist has shown in us by linking his name with our College of Medicine, and we are committed to build on the legacy of Dr. Frist and his fellow HCA Healthcare co-founders Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr. and Mr. Jack Massey.”
In an email to current and incoming students on April 6, Belmont University announced plans to return to in-person classes this fall following more than a year of a combination of in-person, remote and hybrid courses due to the impact of the worldwide pandemic.
“We are nearing the conclusion of what has been one of the most unique and challenging years for our campus community and for higher education in general,” said Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher. “Thanks to the vaccine rollout and improving trends related to COVID data, we have every reason to be optimistic about providing a more traditional learning and living experience on campus this fall. And most importantly, the outstanding leadership of our Health Services team and truly extraordinary cooperative spirit and actions demonstrated by our students, faculty and staff this past year have shown our commitment to living together in community.”
Campus leaders will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and shift or evolve plans as needed based on trends and insights from local, state and federal public health officials. In addition, the University will implement recommended protocols as needed to ensure the health and safety of the campus community.
At this point, the campus expects to operate in-person classes at full or near-full capacity with more robust campus life experiences in place, including in person meetings, events and activities. The University is also making plans for a traditional fall schedule, allowing for observance of traditional holidays and Fall Break.
Belmont’s Spring 2021 semester concludes over the next two weeks with final class meetings and exams. The University will be hosting four separate, socially distanced in-person commencement ceremonies to honor graduates on April 22-23.
More than 100 Belmont School of Nursing faculty and students and approximately 50 College of Pharmacy students and faculty staffed what Nashville Mayor John Cooper called a “watershed moment” for the city as it hosted a mass vaccination event on March 20 at Nissan Stadium.
Joining forces with city health officials and volunteers, Belmont representatives aided in 10,000 people receiving their Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination by the end of the event.
Associate Professors Dr. Elisa Greene, from Belmont’s College of Pharmacy, and Dr. Jamie Adam, from Belmont’s School of Nursing, were recently selected for the 2021-23 cohort of The Lilly Faculty Fellows Program through the Lilly Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities. The program is designed for mid-career faculty leaders across the disciplines to creatively engage the intersections of Christian thought and practice with the academic vocation.
The initiative’s goals are to refresh and enliven a sense of calling for participants as people of faith, as teachers and as scholars and to provide funds for Fellows to develop and pilot Faculty Fellow programs on their own campuses.
Belmont University School of Nursing is pleased to provide an exciting new opportunity for students. High achieving BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) students are now eligible to get a head start on an advanced nursing degree from Belmont by completing approved graduate level courses within their undergraduate program of study. The Early Entry Program provides opportunity to earn up to 14 credits toward either a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Master of Science in Nursing, saving students time and money in a graduate degree designed to prepare them to be Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP).
Eligible students must meet qualification requirements by the midpoint of their sophomore year to participate in the program during their junior and senior years. Students have the potential to complete a full semester of graduate coursework while at the same time earning undergraduate credit toward their BSN degree.
Dr. Angela Lane, Associate Professor of Nursing at Belmont, was recently recognized as the 2021 Walk to Cure Arthritis Adult Honoree with the Arthritis Foundation. As a current associate professor of Nursing, Lane has worked for the past 30 years as a nurse tech, registered nurse and advanced practice nurse.
When Lane was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age eight and then again at age 20, she recognized a passion for giving back to this community. Through her experience with arthritis, she has demonstrated selflessness as she continues to serve others in the Arthritis Foundation community.
Lane is currently on the board with the Nashville Arthritis Local Leadership Board and has just commenced her work as chair. In addition to her work with this community, she serves as the Pediatric Clinical Course Coordinator at Belmont and continues to educate nursing students.
Many dedicated, hard-working individuals leave their imprint on a profession, but few are deserving enough to have both a scholarship and an award established in their honor. Belmont University School of Nursing alumna Patty Cornwell is one of the deserving ones.
Cornwell, a retired certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), devoted her professional career to providing exceptional anesthesia care to patients for surgery, labor and delivery, and other healthcare needs, and she devoted her spare time to serving the nurse anesthesia profession she loved. After graduating from Belmont, she worked for several years as an intensive care nurse before entering the Middle Tennessee School of Nurse Anesthesia to become a nurse anesthetist. She joined the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) in 1972 and the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA) in 1976.
Belmont University has earned the 2021-2022 Military Friendly® School designation for the seventh consecutive year. Belmont was highly rated on culture and commitment, admissions and orientation and academic policies and compliance.
“It’s an honor to once again receive this designation that recognizes Belmont’s commitment to support our student veterans and military family members,” said Dr. Mimi Barnard, associate provost for Interdisciplinary Studies and Global Education, home to Belmont’s Veteran Success Team. “Belmont faculty and staff are intentional in their goal of providing educational environments that support student veterans and military family members in meaningful ways.”
The Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame announced today that the nomination process for the class of 2021 has officially opened. Nominations may be submitted at www.tnhealthcarehall.com through March 24.
Created by Belmont University, and supported by founding partners The McWhorter Society and The Nashville Health Care Council, the Hall of Fame’s mission is to honor the men and women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the health and health care industry. The Health Care Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and honor pioneers and current leaders who have formed Tennessee’s health and health care community and encourage future generations of health care professionals.
Savannah Ramsey, RN, and colleagues designed a series of interventions to reduce noise levels in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. One of those interventions is sound-dampening curtains around certain patient bays. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Belmont alumna, Savannah Ramsey, was recently featured in a Vanderbilt Medical Center story about changes she instigated in the post-anesthesia care unit at Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital. Click here to read the entire story.
MEMPHIS, Tenn — The Memphis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has selected Alisa Haushalter, DNP, RN., Director of the Shelby County Health Department, as its Communicator of the Year for 2020.
The 2020 Communicator of the Year Award reflects Dr. Haushalter’s unflappable courage in leading the community throughout the pandemic, always with eye toward what is best for the residents of Shelby County, even when her message has met criticism at times. She has led regular media briefings exhibiting communications skills that are honest, direct, understandable, and always focused on protecting the community and moving it safely through the pandemic.
Belmont Alumna Wren Sherrill was recently featured on the cover of the Nashville Scene in a tribute to the Nashvillians of the Year: Health Care Workers. The article shares Vanderbilt’s healthcare workers and their fight to save lives in the midst of a global pandemic.
Sherrill graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has continued on to work as a part of Vanderbilt’s COVID-19 ICU staff. With challenging work and eye-opening experiences every day, Sherrill considers the ICU staff “the final fighters in this war.”
The article shares the words of another ICU worker Olivia Kirkpatrick who says to “give some grace to our leaders, and the scientists that are making recommendations.” Healthcare workers in Nashville and across the country are working diligently to protect their city and its residents.
In her feature article, Ensley shares the challenges and circumstances that come with being a healthcare worker. She currently works at the Nashville Centennial Hospital where she courageously sees and assists patients of all ethnicities and ages fighting the virus. She explained, “Black people are more likely to die from COVID, and it’s my hope that seeing a Black person getting vaccinated will encourage some trust in science and the medical community.”
Ascension Medical Group named Erick Hernandez-Campos, MSN, FNP-BC, the winner of their national 2020 Community Commitments Advanced Practice Provider Award. Hernandez-Campos earned his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Belmont and is currently working on his Doctorate of Nursing at Belmont.
Nursing Professor and Director of Graduate Nursing Linda G. Wofford, DNP, RN, CPNP, said, “Erick exemplifies the Core Values of Belmont Graduate Nursing – communication and collaboration; critical thinking and problem solving; commitment to learning; compassion and caring. Of course, while Erick is an accomplished clinician, we are pleased to be working together to provide Erick with a transformative and positive doctoral experience.”
Hernandez-Campos practices at the Family Medicine Respiratory Clinic in Antioch, Tennessee, and provided primary care prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Hernandez-Campos has been seeing respiratory clinic patients and also making sure they receive appropriate follow-up. He has spent countless hours before his workday and after his workday calling patients to make sure they are doing well and coordinating care with primary care physicians.
Brad Koss, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and 2005 graduate of the Belmont University School of Nursing, was recently named the 2020-21 president-elect of the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA). Koss, who is the CRNA Manager of Education at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, will take office as the TANA president in October 2021.
“It is both humbling and an honor to have been elected by my peers to represent them as a leader in our profession and to help carry forth the tradition of serving to protect our practice and be a voice for more than 2,000 CRNAs across our great state,” said Koss, a resident of Franklin. “My hope as we make the turn to 2021 is that the new year will bring about renewed promise for us as a nation and as providers of anesthesia.”
