Nursing - The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Spring 2016 Edition
Nu rsi n g
Notes
FEATURES:
Dr. Synowiez Announces Retirement
Welcome to the Team
Graduation Celebration
Updates from Faculty, Staff, and Students
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Dr. Synowiez Announces
Retirement
Dear Colleagues, Students, Alumni and
Friends of the Department of Nursing,
highlight some of those accomplishments:
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This will be the final letter in Nursing Notes
Established a pre-licensure BSN
program and enrolled the first students
that I write to you as Chair, Department of
in summer 2005; class of 2015 first time
Nursing. After more than thirty-eight years in
tester pass rate on NCLEX-RN
nursing education, seventeen of those years
examination was 93%
at the University of North Carolina at
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Increased the number of BSN graduates
Pembroke with more than ten of those as
practicing in North Carolina, across the
Chair, I am retiring June 30, 2016. It has
United States and around the world by
been a tremendous honor and privilege to
more than 500 nurses
serve as Chair, and the most rewarding
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Expanded the RN-BSN completion
academic appointment I have held during my
option with addition of 6 RN-BSN Bridge
many years in nursing education.
Programs in partnership with area
community colleges; transitioned 2015
When I joined UNC Pembroke full-time in
1999, I could not have predicted all of the
to participating with the newly
opportunities as well as challenges that
approved statewide RN-BSN Articulation
awaited me. Over the years, I have witnessed
Agreement
the Department of Nursing grow in size and
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Established the MSN program with 3
stature and today I believe it is one of the
areas of specialization; enrolled first
premier nursing programs in North Carolina.
students in fall 2013; graduated first 4
graduates in spring 2015; in spring
It is both humbling and amazing to think
2016 will have added a total of 13 new
about what has been accomplished by the
Department of Nursing faculty, staff,
MSN prepared nurses
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students, alumni, and community partners.
Collaborative with 4 area community
Together, we have achieved great things. I
colleges; focus is on offering a dual
would just say that I feel very proud of all
enrollment BSN program; first students
that has been accomplished and owe a debt
of gratitude to my colleagues both past and
present who have shared this journey with
me.
In this final letter, I believe it is important to
Established the SouthCentralNC RIBN
enrolled in fall 2014
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Appointed 2 faculty to endowed
professor positions in fall 2015
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Dr. Synowiez Announces Retirement
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Established the Discover Nursing: Living,
accreditation for both the undergraduate
Learning, and Leading Community for
and graduate nursing programs; most
pre-nursing majors on campus
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Expanded the size and quality of our full-time
faculty; from 5 to 20. Number of faculty with
terminal degrees has increased from 1 to 7; 5
recent visit was November 10-12, 2014
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Strengthened nursing partnerships with
area healthcare agencies across
southeastern North Carolina
additional faculty enrolled in terminal degree
studies
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Assisted the University Office for
Advancement with achieving financial support
for 3 endowed nursing professorships and
multiple endowed scholarships for students
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Developed guidelines for establishing a
Nursing Honor Society; first induction
ceremony held May 12, 2016
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Developed guidelines for offering Continuing
Education programs for nurses that will award
continuing education units (CEU); first
offerings to be offered in Fall 2016
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-
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Increased the number of grants awarded,
Nursing. Thank you so much for your dedication
and commitment to achieving excellence and
advancing the nursing profession. Our
foundations are strong, but work remains for the
Department of Nursing to achieve our vision and
dream; that is, regional distinction as a leader of
excellence in our nursing educational programs
and in scholarship, service, and community
engagement. I look forward to seeing the
Department of Nursing continue to grow and
pursue the achievement of our vision.
Finally, as I reflect on my upcoming retirement in
presentations by nursing faculty
a few weeks, there are so many memories of my
Participated in the planning and design of the
time at UNC Pembroke and in the Department of
87,000 square foot Health Sciences Building;
Nursing that will remain in my heart forever. I bid
opened the high-tech, high-touch Clinical
you all a fond farewell and wish continued
Learning Center in spring 2012
success for the Department of Nursing.
Created a Learning Enhancement Center with
Best wishes to all,
students
Achieved and maintained NC Board of Nursing
full approval status for BSN program
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together, have cared about the Department of
research endeavors, publications and
a focus on academic and social support for
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All of this has been possible because we,
Achieved and maintained CCNE national
Dr. Barbara B. Synowiez
Chair and Professor
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Wel com e t o t h e Team
Emerald Bilbrew
Emerald joins us with years of experience in dialysis, medical/ surgical,
LTAC, step-down, public health, adult health, orthopedics, pediatrics,
psych, cardiac, nursing home/ geriatrics, post-op, and agency
nursing? just to name a few. Emerald graduated in 2002 from Columbus
Technical College with a diploma in licensed practical nursing; her ASN
from Southern Union State Community College in 2008; BSN from
Jacksonville University in 2012; and her MSN in Nursing Leadership and
Management in Healthcare Systems in December of 2013 from
Jacksonville University. She went on to complete a Post Master?s in
Nursing Education in December of 2014 from Walden University.
Emerald is currently enrolled at Regis University and is set to graduate
with her DNP in March of 2017. Emerald?s research interests lie heavily
in patient care, nurse retention, work environment/ culture, and Lyme
disease. She is thinking about earning either an EdD or PhD after
finishing her DNP and is planning on earning the CNE certification within
the next year.
Deborah Hummer
Debbie joined the Department of Nursing in January as an Assistant
Professor. She earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from the
Community College of Beaver County; a Bachelor of Science in
Nursing from Slippery Rock University; a Masters of Science in
Nursing from LaRoche College; and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice
from Duke University.
She is board certified as a Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist;
and her research interest is exercise and the impact it has on
functional decline in the older adult. Prior to joining UNCP, Debbie
has spent thirty years as a practicing nurse with a strong focus as a
nurse leader. In addition, she has almost a decade of experience
teaching nurses. Debbie and her husband, Doug, share three children
and two grandchildren.
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Wel com e t o t h e Team
ConnieMullinix
Dr. Connie Mullinix is an Associate Professor working with the RN-BSN
and master?s students. Dr. Mullinix holds a PhD with a focus on nursing
administration and health policy from the University of Pennsylvania, an
MBA from the Wharton School, and a MPH and BSN from the University
of NC at Chapel Hill.
With education and experience in health policy, finance, and
management, she works to get other nurses prepared in these arenas. At
UNCP, she is leading the continuing education initiative for educating
registered nurses. She is currently working to get nurses onto health
care boards of directors which is related to the Institute of Medicine?s
recommendations on the Future of Nursing.
She believes strongly that nursing knowledge at the policy setting level
is needed for the financial viability of hospitals and improved patient
care. A native of Winston-Salem, NC, she currently lives in Chapel Hill,
NC with husband, Steve.
Cynthia Woodrup
Cynthia joined the Department of Nursing in January 2016 as a Clinical
Assistant Professor. Educated in the public school systems of Baltimore
Maryland, she earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from Baltimore
City Community College, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University
of Phoenix and subsequent Master of Science in Nursing/ Nursing and
Healthcare Education from University of Phoenix. A native Baltimorean,
she and her husband (Robert), relocated to the region over eight years
ago after she accepted a position at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in
the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Prior to joining UNCP, Cynthia has
over 17 years in various roles as a nurse with a concentration in High
Risk Neonatal Nursing. She has previously taught nursing students in
the clinical setting at the community college level.
They have a blended family of six adult children (two of whom are
active duty military) and seven grandchildren. She enjoys reading,
crocheting, baking and spending time with family and friends.
Morgan Appoint ed as Int erim Direct or
of Undergraduat e Programs
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In May, Ms. Pamela Morgan was appointed as the Interim Director
of Undergraduate Programs for the Department of Nursing.
Pamela joined the Department of Nursing in July 2015 as an
Assistant Professor. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
from Barton College and a Masters Degree in Nursing Education
from Duke University.
She is currently working on an Education Doctorate in Nursing
Education at the University of West Georgia.
Pamela has been a registered nurse since 2000 and has more than
10 years of experience as a nurse educator. She lives in Hope Mills
with her husband, John and daughter, Olivia.
Part nership wit h t he Division of
Engaged Out reach Benef it s Nurses
UNCP's Department of Nursing in partnership with UNCP's
Department of Engaged Outreach is establishing a program to
educate registered nurses through continuing education. Health
care changes so rapidly that nurses need continuous learning to
keep up with new knowledge. Two programs will be offered in
Fall 2016 with others to follow. These programs have been
approved by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited
agency by the American Nurses Credentialing Center?s
Commission on Accreditation. On October 19, 2016, ?Basic
Budgeting for Registered Nurses? and on November 2, 2016,
?Preparing Nurses for Board Service? will be offered. You may
obtain more information by e-mailing Dr. Connie Mullinix at
connie.mullinix@uncp.edu.
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PrelicensureBSN
Monica A. Abraham
Paige A. Becker
Ji Hye Choi
Con grat u l at i on s
Grad u at es!
Rhaven S. Cooper
LaToria Al exandria Davis
Amanda G. Doss
Cassandra Geddes
Nicol e B. Guay
Leida N. Guzman
Mara D. Hunt
In May, t he Depart ment of Nursing had 31
undergraduat e st udent s and seven MSN
st udent s graduat e. We wish t hese graduat es
t he best of l uck and we l ook f orward t o seeing
what t heir f ut ure hol ds!
Guzal Gareeva Ingram
Cara A. Kel l ogg-Cool ey
St ephanie A. Lawson
Marissa La?Gayl e Love
Keno LeEdward Lowery
Kryst al G. Lowery
Brit t ani S. McKinnon
Lauren Brooke Mof f it t
Laurie B. Ocl it
Marcus G. Oxendine
Kent W. Parker
Miyah A. Perry
Mist y M. Pucket t
Rachael K. Ramey
Brit t any Dawn Rapacz
Nat al ie Marie Rol and
Jennif er N. Sanders
Shannon Leigh Sims
Rebecca A. Taurins
Jessica R. Wal t er
Robert P. Vos
MSN
RN- BSN
Jacquel ine E. Barnoski, BSN, RN
El izabet h M. Bl ue, RN
Anna M. Bryan, BSN, RN
Lori K. DeSpain, RN
Heat her Lockl ear Cox, BSN, RN
Amy Hand, RN
B. Levon DeVanno, BSN, RN
Darnel l Marks, RN
Conchat a B. Jones, BSN, RN
Mary MacDonal d, RN
Wil l ie Kay McDuf f ie, BSN, RN
Taren E. Oxendine, RN
Sedina Brooks Oxendine, BSN, RN
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Con grat u l at i on s Grad u at i n g
Vet eran s!
Top Lef t t o Right : Brit t any Rapacz, Paige
Becker, Rebecca Taurins, Jessica Wal t er
Bot t om Lef t t o Right : Ji Hye Choi, Leida Guzman
Not Pict ured: Nat al ie Rol and
In May, t he
Depart ment of Nursing
had seven vet eran
st udent s graduat e wit h
t heir BSN.
Congrat ul at ions and
t hank you f or your
service!
Facul t y News and
Announcement s
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- Dr. Jennifer Twaddell presented "The Ripple Effect of Infant Mortality" at the
Robeson County End of Life Coalition.
- Dr. Jennifer Johnson was promoted to Associate Professor..
- Dr. Jennifer Johnson and Ms. Misty Stone received an excellence in Teaching
Award from the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
- Ms. Kathy Locklear led a nursing information session for high school students in
Cherokee, NC.
- Ms. Kathy Locklear and Ms. Misty Stone will be attending the Lilly Conference in
Bethesda, Maryland June 2-5.
- Dr. William Puentes and Dr. Cherry Beasley will be presenting at the 26th Annual
Native Health Conference in Cherokee, NC June 5-8, 2016 on the topic of Native
Americans and reminiscence: Exploring the therapeutic function of memories for
the individual.
Dr. William Puentes had the following presentations and publications this semester:
Present at ions
Halpin, S., Dillard, R.I., Clevenger, Chicas, R., & Puent es, W.J. (2015). Emotions and Alzheimer?s
disease: Preliminary efforts to develop emotional staging for Alzheimer?s disease. 2015 Annual
Scientific Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society. National Harbor, MD, May 15-17, 2015.
Puent es, W.J., Halpin, S.N., & Dillard, R.L. (2016). Modeling the evolution of intimacy in Alzheimer?s
disease: The patient perspective. Cognitive Aging Conference 2016, Atlanta, GA, April 14-17, 2016.
Publ icat ions
Halpin, S.N., Dillard, R.L., & Puent es, W.J. (2016). Socio-Emotional Adaptation Theory: Charting the
emotional process of Alzheimer?s disease. The Gerontologist, 00, 1-13. (doi:10.1093/ geront/ gnw046,
Advance Access publication April 5, 2016)
Halpin, S., Dillard, R.I., Clevenger, Chicas, R., & Puent es, W.J. (2015). Emotions and Alzheimer?s
disease: Preliminary efforts to develop emotional staging for Alzheimer?s disease. In the American
Geriatrics Society (Eds.) Program and Abstracts: 2015 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American
Geriatrics Society, National Harbor, Maryland, May 15-17, 2015. New York, NY: American Geriatrics
Society.
Puent es, W.J., Halpin, S.N., & Dillard, R.L. (2016). Modeling the evolution of intimacy in Alzheimer?s
disease: The patient perspective. In the Georgia Institute of Technology (Eds.) Program and Abstracts:
Cognitive Aging Conference 2016, Atlanta, Georgia, April 14-17, 2016. Atlanta, GA: Georgia Institute of
Technology.
Facul t y News and
Announcement s
Dr. Jennifer Johnson and Mrs. Melonie
Moody presented a podium presentation
at the annual You Bought the Mannequin
conference sponsored by SRAHEC in Cary,
NC on March 4th, 2016. The presentation
was titled Utilization of Electronic
Documentation in a Health Assessment
Skills Lab.
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Dr. Jennifer Johnson and Mrs. Melonie
Moody prepared a poster titled 'Utilizing
Electronic Health Records and Simulation
to Enhance Understanding Nursing
Practice and Clinical Decision Making
Skills'. The poster was presented on March
14, 2016 in Clearwater, Florida at Drexel
University's annual EDUSim Conference.
Mrs. Moody is happy to announce Joshua Owen graced us
with his presence Tuesday May 3rd at 9:18am. He weighed
6lbs 8oz and was 18.9 inches long. Mommy and Owen are
doing great!
Student News
Students and faculty in Family Nursing II toured
UNC-Chapel Hill?s burn center on April 20.
There was a guest speaker, a presentation, and
a tour provided by the staff of the burn center
at UNC-Chapel Hill. The focus of the day was
burns in the pediatric population. Special
thanks to Ernie Grant, PhD, MSN, RN for
arranging the visit.
Nursing students participated in Relay for Life
this year. They raised a total of $2,817 and
were awarded the most amount raised.
Pictured above are two students who
participated in the cupcake eating contest.
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Leyia Bullard attended a ceremony in
Charlotte in honor of Chancellor
Cummings. Leyia delivered a speech
during the ceremony about how her
nursing education has proven to help
her in her personal life.
The Department of Nursing hosted an
Interprofessional Education Workshop on April
8th. Students from Campbell University's
School of Osteopathic Medicine teamed up
with UNCP nursing students for a day of
learning.
Student News
In January, nursing students teamed up with
UNCP?s Student Health Services to conduct a
Mass Casualty day. The simulation focused
on how to treat and direct individuals if
there were an Anthrax outbreak. Students
performed client assessments, provided
medication teaching, directed individuals
through the different areas, and managed
registration booths. There were more than
100 individuals that came through the
simulation.
Brittany Threatt has received an externship
through Health Careers Connection which
starts in June and ends in August.
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DNL3C students made over 90 Valentine?s Day
cards to send to residents at Genesis Home
Care in Pembroke.
Michael Doss has received an externship at Wake
Forest Baptist Medical Center for the summer. It is
an 8 week externship.
UNC System President Margaret Spellings
visited the campus on March 18th. While at
UNCP, she toured the Health Science Building
and had a chance to talk to some of our
nursing students. Above is a "selfie" that the
students took with President Spellings.
Student News
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The Capstone Senior Luncheon was held in April. Two former graduates, Veronica Graham
and Jennie Beldon, shared guidance regarding transitioning to practice after nursing school.
Staff News
Mary Baynes completed an internship with the
American Red Cross. Pictured above, Mary
Baynes interacts with students at an
informational fair at Scotland High School.
In May, Mary Baynes graduated with a
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Public
and Non-Profit Administration. The
Department gifted Mary with a UNCP diploma
frame and a gift card.
Above: MSN students Anna Bryan, B. Levon
DeVanno, and Jacqueline Barnoski present
their poster presentation.
Above: Undergraduate students present
on the Enterprise 9000 to nurses at a local
hospital.
From left to right: Kathy Locklear, John Toth, Cherry Beasley, Joyce Stanley, Deborah Hummer, Debbie
Locklear, Pamela Morgan, Barbara Synowiez, Emerald Bilbrew, Jennifer Johnson, William Puentes,
Connie Mullinix, Jennifer Twaddell, Astrid Oviedo, and Misty Stone.
Not Pictured: Joyce Beard, Melonie Moody, Rosemarie M. Pilarczyk, and Cynthia Woodrup
The vision of the Department of Nursing is to achieve regional
distinction as a leader of excellence in our nursing educational
programs and in scholarship, service, and community engagement. The
faculty would like to thank our students, alumni, community partners,
donors, and friends for helping us achieve our vision. We are most
appreciative.
Nu rsi n g
Notes
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