xt763x83n294 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt763x83n294/data/mets.xml University of Kentucky College of Nursing Kentucky -- Lexington University of Kentucky College of Nursing 2016 newsletters English University of Kentucky College of Nursing Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. University of Kentucky College of Nursing publications Nursing Engagement, Fall 2016 text Engagement, Fall 2016 2016 2016 2019 true xt763x83n294 section xt763x83n294 in this ISSUE Embracing Our Differences: The Dean’s Diversity & Inclusivity Advisory Council * dean’s LETTER Fall 2016 Pursuing our values of Excellence With each new year comes a new edition of Engagement—a new opportunity to connect with you and show how we are reaching our aspirations and pursuing our values for excellence. We are bursting with unique and rich colors similar to those surrounding Lexington’s Abraham Lincoln mural, exemplifying our growing efforts to celebrate and empower our community of bright and diverse individuals. Just as these colors stem from President Lincoln, our branches are stretching far and wide, becoming more diverse and more inclusive, while our roots ground everything we do. There are endless possibilities for growth, but we can’t do it alone! We want you to help nourish our roots and be a part of our journey as we continue to grow and expand our reach through our new 2020 Strategic Plan that outlines our five goals: • Promote academic excellence and growth in the undergraduate program • Strengthen graduate student growth and success • Enhance faculty and student research and scholarly work • Improve diversity and inclusivity across learning and working environments • Advance community and faculty practice engagement Student success is the leading priority for our College and University of Kentucky, and we believe you will be particularly pleased to read about our efforts to move the needle forward on a baccalaureate-prepared Kentucky nursing workforce—a goal set by the Institute of Medicine that confronts one of health care’s biggest challenges yet. Equally important for student success is our work toward improving diversity and inclusivity, especially through our new Dean’s Diversity and Inclusivity Advisory Council, which was restructured to bring diversity issues to light and to nurture a community that will work together to find the best possible solutions. We are committed to making sure every student, faculty and staff member in the College feels he or she is a valuable contributor to our shared success. This kind of culture will help us collaborate across disciplines, stimulate intellectual innovation and help our students meet the many challenges they will face after graduating. It will revitalize their sensitivity and shift their mindset at the bedside as they care for patients of different backgrounds. Spearheading our effort to make our environment as welcoming and as unique as possible is our new director of diversity and inclusivity, Dr. Jenna Hatcher. With her help, we have quickly transitioned from a bold new era into an exciting phase of development. Our goal for this year is clear: to use our unique position as a top academic institution to not only embrace our diversity but also to expand it; consequently, we will advocate for and provide quality care to patients of all backgrounds in hospitals, offices, clinics and the community. We invite you to stay connected with our nursing family to see our tangible shift from the ordinary to the extraordinary. As always, please let me know your thoughts on how we are making a difference in our nursing community. Health and Happiness Always, Janie Heath, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN Dean and Warwick Professor of Nursing * table of CONTENTS Feature 16 Workforce Moving the Needle: Advancing Kentucky’s Nursing Workforce Toward the IOM Recommendations 20 28 Leadership 8 Embracing our Differences: The Dean’s Diversity and Inclusivity Advisory Council Clinical Following The Clinical Leaders: Theory | The Classroom | Evidence-Based Practice High-Impact Leaders Join the Nursing Conversation: The Dean’s Advisory Board 30 2 4 14 25 26 32 34 35 Community From Point of Care to Community Care: William Wells Brown Elementary Awards & Honors Faculty/Staff Appointments & Transitions PROFILES: Clinical & Service PROFILES: Teaching & Research Research Grants Awarded PROFILES: Students Events Development * awards & HONORS Recipient List 2015-2016 CONGRATULATIONS Taylor Ann Davis Starbucks Award Spring 2016 Drew Walls Top 10 Student Poster, 2016 Southern Nursing Research Society Jennifer Miller Carolyn A. Williams Award Abdullah Alhurani Delta Psi Senior Nurse Award Spring 2016 Janie Young Nursing Professional Advancement, Silver Status Dawn Profit College of Nursing Alumni Association Nightingale Award Fall 2015 Peyton Blanton 2016 Taylor Ann Davis Starbucks Award Fall 2015 Peyton Blanton Top 10 Student Poster, 2016 Southern Nursing Research Society Adebola Adegboyega College of Nursing Student Awards Sebastian-Stanhope Award Michael Boling Delta Psi Senior Nurse Award Fall 2015 Nicole Church Omicron Delta Kappa Maurice A. Clay Award Elizabeth Combs College of Nursing Faculty Award Spring 2016 Grace Clark Baptist Health Lexington Nursing Leadership Award Spring 2016 Keelie Dyson College of Nursing Alumni Association Alumni Award Sarah Gabbard College of Nursing Faculty Award Fall 2015 Hannah Greer UK HealthCare Commitment to Nursing Excellence Award Spring 2016 Jill Jones Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Early Career Research Travel award, American Heart Association Chin-Yen Lin Baptist Health Lexington Nursing Leadership Award Fall 2015 Alan Ruiz College of Nursing Alumni Association Alumni Award Shannon Shumaker Sigma Theta Tau Research Award Tracey Vitori UK HealthCare Commitment to Nursing Excellence Award Fall 2015 Katie Voigts College of Nursing Alumni Association Nightingale Award Spring 2016 Drew Walls 2 ENGAGEMENT / Fall 2016 Other Student Awards Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence, University of Kentucky Kacy Allen-Bryant Baptist Health Fellowship in Nursing Research Andrew Bugajski Occupational Health Nursing Fellow, University of Kentucky Michael Callihan Jr. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholar Sara Duggan Lyman T. Johnson Torch Bearer Award, University of Kentucky Keelie Dyson Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholar Jessica Harman Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Minority Research Travel Stipend, American Heart Association JungHee Kang American Association of Colleges of Nursing Student Policy Summit Fellow Tracey Vitori Occupational Health Nursing Fellow, University of Kentucky Cheryl Witt 2016 College of Nursing Annual Award Recipients Louise J. Zegeer Award Stephanie Fugate Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award Melanie Hardin-Pierce Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award Christy Hubbard Excellence in Undergraduate Clinical Precepting Award Courtney Hollis Excellence in Unit/Agency Award UKHC Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) Excellence in Graduate Precepting Award Rif El-Mallakh Teaching Excellence in Support of Professional Nursing Award Allison Soult Dorothy Luther Fellowship JungHee Kang Excellence in Service Award Elizabeth Salt JONAS Scholar Award JungHee Kang Gloe L. Bertram Award Dan Rios Spring Delta Psi Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau Scholarship JungHee Kang Employee of the Year Award Joanne Davis 2015 Saha Award for Cardiovascular Research and Education Sooksai Kaewbua JONAS Scholar Award Stephanie Kehler Karen Hall Sexton Scholarship Award Stephanie Kehler 2015 Saha Award for Cardiovascular Research and Education Jennifer Miller Puma Award for Staff Excellence Amy DelRe Puma Award for Faculty Excellence Sharon Lock 2015-2016 Other Faculty Awards Inducted as an Associate of the UK Center for Interprofessional Health Education Mollie Aleshire * awards & HONORS Inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing Kristin Ashford Inducted as an Associate of the UK Center for Interprofessional Health Education Hartley Feld Inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Sharon Lock Sarah Bennett Holmes Award, UK Women’s Forum Kristin Ashford Inducted as an Associate of the UK Center for Interprofessional Health Education Lee Anne Walmsley Inducted as a Fellow in the National Academies of Practice Sharon Lock UK Chairs’ Academy, University of Kentucky Kristin Ashford Inducted as an Associate of the UK Center for Interprofessional Health Education Jennifer Cowley Innovative Alumni Leading Nationally, University of Alabama School of Nursing Sheila Melander Inducted as a Fellow in American College of Healthcare Executives Debra Hampton UK Chairs’ Academy, University of Kentucky Sheila Melander Inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing Patricia Burkhart Inducted as a Fellow of the UK Center for Interprofessional Health Education Patricia Burkhart Outstanding Alumnus Award, UK College of Nursing Alumni Association Karen Butler Inducted as a Fellow of the UK Center for Interprofessional Health Education Cathy Catlett Anthony Battaglia/Pocket Nurse Conference Scholarship Award Tammy Courtney Inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society Frances Hardin-Fanning William S. and Elizabeth M. Morgan Professorship and Research Award, UK College of Nursing Frances Hardin-Fanning Inducted as a Fellow of the AACN-Wharton Executive Leadership program, American Association of Colleges of Nursing Janie Heath UK Chairs’ Academy, University of Kentucky Susan Frazier Inducted as a Fellow of the UK Center for Interprofessional Health Education Lynne Jensen UKHC-CON Academic-Clinical Engagement Award Stephanie Fugate Provider of the Month, Advanced Practice Providers Lynne Jensen 2016-2017 Research Professor, University of Kentucky Ellen Hahn Inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Terry Lennie Kentucky Nurse Practitioner Advocate of the Year, AANP Kathy Wheeler Awardgallery Recipient 1 | Joanne Davis showcases her pins, each representing five years of service at the University of Kentucky. 2 | Ana Linares, DNS, RN, IBCLC, assistant professor, with PhD candidate Adebola Adegboyega, BSN, RN, and Terry Lennie, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, professor and associate dean of graduate faculty affairs, at the annual Student Scholarship Showcase. 3 | Mary Ellen Roberts, DNP, RN, APRN, APN-C, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, president of the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP); Audrey Darville, PhD, RN, APRN, CTTS, FAANP, associate professor and new FAANP inductee; Kathy Wheeler, PhD, RN, APRN, NP-C, FNAP, FAANP, assistant professor and primary FAANP sponsor at the FAANP national conference in San Antonio, Texas. 4 | Fellows & Associates of the Center for Interprofessional Health Education gather in the UK Biological Pharmaceutical Building. 1 2015 President’s Award from the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research Debra Moser Inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing Cecilia Page Inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing Deborah Reed Gainesway Community Empowerment Center Thank You Award Carol Riker Baptist Health Lexington Health Services Leadership Scholar Nora Warshawsky Inducted as a Fellow of the UK Center for Interprofessional Health Education Darlene Welsh UK Chairs’ Academy, University of Kentucky Darlene Welsh Inducted as a Distinguished Public Policy Fellow National Academies of Practice Kathy Wheeler 2 4 3 * faculty & S TA F F Faculty Appointments Faculty Appointments Tammy Courtney, MSN, RN, is a new lecturer in the College of Nursing. Courtney began serving full-time as a simulation specialist in the Clinical Simulation and Learning Center in fall 2015; however, she will now teach NUR 201: Assessment and Health Promotion Across the Lifespan. Courtney worked in the intensive care unit for 12 years. Amanda CulpRoche, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, is a new instructor in the College of Nursing. CulpRoche has more than 20 years of experience as an RN in acute care, home health and supervision. She has spent the last six years practicing as a board certified family nurse practitioner and is currently working toward her PhD at UK. CulpRoche joins the faculty in the online RN-BSN Option. 4 and pediatrics and maintains an active practice at the Polk Dalton: Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Clinic in Lexington. Her research interests center on weight management, motivational interventions and teaching-learning issues. Debra Hampton, PhD, MSN, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, is the College’s new Executive Nursing Leadership Population and Organizational System Track and MSN-DNP Option coordinator. Dr. Hampton has served as first line manager, middle manager, chief nursing officer and as a senior executive (System Site CEO). She has developed and taught various courses as a part-time instructor for the College’s undergraduate, master’s and DNP programs. She currently teaches full-time in the DNP program, including courses in technology/informatics, finance, leadership and others. Suzanne (Suzie) Pilon, PhD, BSN, RN, is a new instructor in the College of Nursing. She has more than 16 years of acute care nursing experience. Dr. Pilon graduated in 2016 with her DNP as a clinical nurse specialist in adult/ gerontology, where she focused on palliative care and fall prevention in the older adult. She joined the College of Nursing in 2012 as a teaching assistant and is currently working full-time instructing the lab portion of the undergraduate course NUR 211: Fundamentals of Adult Nursing Care. Tricia Rogers, MSN, RN, is a new clinical lab instructor in the College of Nursing for NUR 201: Assessment and Health Promotion Across the Lifespan. She has more than 20 years of nursing experience with 15 of these devoted to the education and development of RNs in the acute care hospital setting. Angie Hensley, DNP, APRN, is a new instructor Amanda Wiggins, in the College of PhD, is a new lecturer Nursing. She has in the College of 15 years of acute Nursing. In addition and critical care Alexandra (Lexie) to providing research nursing experience. Dampier, DNP, support to faculty and She teaches both APRN, NP-C, is students, Dr. Wiggins traditional BSN and RN-BSN students in a new instructor teaches NUR 903: the undergraduate program. As an APRN, in the College of Applied Biostatistics Dr. Hensley practices one day a week Nursing. She has for Outcomes Evaluation to DNP students in the hepatology clinic and is a board taught several at the College’s outreach education location certified nurse practitioner. courses in the at Norton Healthcare in Louisville. Dr. undergraduate Julie Ossege, Wiggins’s dissertation focused on the curriculum and is currently the coPhD, APRN, has psychological impact of a false positive course coordinator for NUR 201: been appointed to ovarian cancer screening test result, assessed Assessment and Health Promotion Across associate professor via mixed and trajectory modeling. the Lifespan. She is a board certified and coordinator family nurse practitioner who practices Cheryl Witt, for the Primary as needed at University Health Services. MSN, RN, is a new Care DNP Track, pathopharmacology where she oversees Judith Daniels, lecturer in the clinical placements. PhD, APRN, FNP, College of Nursing She has been a board certified and PNP, has been and has been a nurse practicing family nurse practitioner for appointed to for 25 years. She is 26 years. She has more than 20 years of assistant professor a PhD candidate in academic experience, including graduate in the College the College and also program management. of Nursing. She serves as the clinical coordinator for NUR is dual board 301: Family Centered Care of Adults with certified in family Common Health Problems. Witt’s research interests lie in Appalachian and Rural Health, and she currently works with two major ENGAGEMENT / Fall 2016 research teams at UK. * Faculty Transitions Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, APRN, has resigned from Kacy Allen-Bryant, her position as MSN, MPH, RN, assistant professor. has transitioned Dr. Dekker is from part-time to the founder of full-time lecturer Evidence Based and clinical Birth, which instructor for aims to promote evidence-based care the public health by putting the research evidence about nursing course. In childbirth into the hands of families addition to working in the home health and professionals. She serves as a peer and occupational health arenas, she has reviewer for maternal health research been an active member of the American journals, volunteers on the advisory Public Health Association and Chi Eta boards for Improving Birth and DONA Phi, Inc., a professional nursing sorority International and has presented to a for African American nurses. She is also a member of the Lexington Fayette County number of leading organizations in the childbirth field, including the American Health Department Board of Health College of Nurse Midwives, the March of and the Mayor’s Alliance Committee on Dimes, Lamaze and DONA International. Substance Abuse. & S TA F F Terry Lennie, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, professor, has been promoted to associate dean of graduate faculty affairs. Dr. Lennie currently serves as co-director for the RICH Heart Program. His research focuses on the development of interventions to promote self-management of prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease with a particular interest in optimizing nutritional intake. Dr. Lennie has received several awards and was recently inducted into the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. He is also a Fellow of the American Heart Association and the Academy of Nursing. Peggy El-Mallakh, PhD, PMHNPBC, RN, has been promoted to associate professor. Dr. ElMallakh’s most recent research investigated the experiences of family caregiving for people with comorbid schizophrenia and diabetes mellitus. Her studies have been published in several psychiatric nursing journals, and she has presented research at numerous conferences. faculty Debra Moser, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, professor and Linda C. Gill Endowed Chair of Nursing, has been promoted to director of the Office for Faculty Collaboration and Scholarship. Dr. Moser is co-director of the RICH Heart Program and researches ways to improve outcomes and quality of life in people with heart failure and other cardiac conditions. She also directs the Center for Biobehavioral Research in Self-Management of Cardiopulmonary Disease at the College. She recently earned the 2010 Nurse Practitioner Advocate State Award for Excellence from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Faculty Transitions Karen Butler, DNP, RN, associate professor, has been promoted to assistant dean of academic affairs. Dr. Butler teachers in the DNP Program and is also a faculty associate in the BREATHE Program (Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments) and the Tobacco Research Policy Program. She has won awards for her work in both scholarship and education. Her clinical and research interests are adult health promotion, including tobacco dependence prevention and treatment. Jennifer Hatcher, RN, PhD, MPH, associate professor, has been promoted Misook Lee to director of Chung, PhD, RN, Jan Odom-Forren, diversity and FAHA, FAAN, has PhD, RN, CPAN, inclusivity. She been promoted FAAN, has been is vice president to professor. Dr. promoted to associate and a founding Chung serves as professor. In addition member of the Lexington Chapter of the co-director and to being a Fellow National Black Nurses Association. She research scientist in the American is currently the principal investigator of with the RICH Academy of Nursing, SEEDS (Sisters Educated in Emergency Heart Program, where she has also Dr. Odom-Forren is Departments) —a five-year project funded conducted a number of observational/ an international lecturer on perianesthesia by the National Cancer Institute that interventional research studies as a project and sedation issues and has authored/edited focuses on promoting mammography for director. She has studied patients with two books: “Practical Guide to Moderate African-American women. Dr. Hatcher heart failure and family caregivers since also co-investigates an NIH-funded project, Sedation/Analgesia,” edition two; and 2002, and her research emphasizes the Faith Moves Mountains, which promotes “Drain’s the PACU: A Critical Care Approach,” interdependent relationship between edition six. Her research area of interest is breast and cervical cancer prevention patients with chronic cardiovascular management of postoperative symptoms. for Eastern Kentucky women, and Heart disease and family caregivers. She is the past president of the American Health—a multi-year project designed Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN). to promote heart health in vulnerable Kentucky residents. University of Kentucky College of Nursing 5 * faculty & S TA F F Faculty Transitions & Staff Appointments Nora Warshawsky, PhD, RN, CNE, has been promoted to associate professor. Dr. Warshawsky conducted the first quantitative studies of job satisfaction and turnover in U.S. nurse managers. Her work has been disseminated internationally through numerous publications and presentations. She has coached nurse leaders in evidence-based leadership and continues to shape graduate education nationally. Staff Appointments Mandy Bucy has been appointed to coordinator of human resources and faculty affairs. Her HR functions include position management, employment/ hiring process, faculty and staff recruitment, employee relations, onboarding, immigration affairs, performance evaluation process and the development of job descriptions. Bucy has been at the university for 25 years and brings a rich, varied employment history in the Office of Development, the College of Medicine Department of Surgery and seven years in the College of Pharmacy’s Dean’s Office. Jackie Carbuccia is the new administrative assistant for graduate faculty affairs. She provides key administrative services support for graduate faculty and the associate and assistant deans for graduate faculty affairs, including project management. She also serves as liaison with the dean’s office, business office, student services and external constituents. Prior to coming to UK, Carbuccia worked at St. Joseph Hospital, where she managed the front desk of a primary care office. 6 ENGAGEMENT / Fall 2016 Jennifer Chien is the College’s new instructional designer. Chien previously worked as an instructional designer for UK Analytics and Technologies in the College of Arts & Sciences and the Human Development Institute. She assists faculty in the design and development of online courses, conducts needs assessments, analyzes data and makes recommendations regarding best practices and learning technologies. She also provides guidance and training in the implementation of effective and diverse learning strategies. April Everman works with the RICH Heart Team as a research assistant senior. She graduated from Morehead State University with two degrees, in biology and Spanish. Kari Flora joined the team at the Phyllis D. Corbitt Community Health Center in Wilmore in 2016 as a clinical services technician. She is a certified medical assistant and a graduate of Sullivan University in Lexington. Flora is furthering her education by pursuing her RN degree. Michael Hendrix is the College’s new recruitment coordinator. In this role, he designs and implements a strategic recruitment plan for the BSN, DNP and PhD programs. He also coordinates the College’s scholarship opportunities and manages other student events such as pinning and hooding ceremonies. Danielle Johnson has been appointed to administrative services assistant. She previously served as an admissions coordinator for the Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine. In her role, she provides key administrative services support for the executive dean for academic affairs and partnerships, which includes all academic programming, student services, teaching and simulation lab and the Office of Assessment. Hannah Keeler has been appointed to program coordinator I in the College. She works as both the administrative associate for BREATHE (Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments) and the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy. Her past experience includes coalition building, conference planning, evaluation, recruitment, human subjects protection and program coordination. Tammy Mickschl is the College’s new patient relations assistant. Mickschl will provide customer service and support to the Wilmore Clinic practicing providers and patients. She will be responsible for registration and scheduling of patients, fee entry and claims, as well as clerical duties. She has more than 23 years of service in the health care industry. Emily Woods has been appointed to continuing education coordinator, where she supports live and online continuing education courses for nurses across the state. Woods is pursuing her master’s degree in educational policy and evaluation studies. Prior to her new role, Woods worked as an English language instructor at Chengdu Institute Sichuan International Studies University and returned to UK to work as staff support for Human Resources. * Staff Transitions & In Memory Staff Transitions Mary Gregory has been promoted to graduate program assistant. She has been with the College of Nursing for 11 years and previously served as staff associate for academic programs. She now supports the director of the graduate programs, as well as the DNP option coordinators. Gregory also supports the students in the program and assists with facilities, safety and emergency management within the College. James Hayhurst has been promoted to undergraduate program assistant. Hayhurst has worked for UK for six years, three in the College. His new responsibilities include supporting the director of the undergraduate programs and BSN Option coordinators in addition to supporting students. Sherry Holmes, MSN, RN, previously assistant dean of academic operations and assessments, retired from the College. Holmes spent 40 years at UK Chandler Hospital and within that time was director of nursing for Kentucky Children’s Hospital for 24 years. In 2010 she joined the College of Nursing as the coordinator of assessment and special projects and was promoted to assistant dean for academic operations and assessments. Since 2003, she has served as a site evaluator for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Tricia MacCallum has been promoted to project manager for the UKCON/ Norton Healthcare academic partnership. MacCallum has worked in nursing education and professional development for more than 10 years in both academic and health system capacities. In her new role, she provides support to the DNP faculty and students in the program while working toward obtaining her master’s in organizational leadership. Nancy McDevitt has retired from the UK College of Nursing, where she worked as the coordinator of academic affairs. McDevitt was responsible for course and instructor evaluations, promotion and tenure dossiers, faculty appointments and annual reports. She also reviewed faculty evaluations/merits, in addition to maintaining the faculty database. Kerrie Moore has been promoted to alumni and annual giving coordinator, where she is responsible for alumni relations, special events and philanthropy activities. Moore first worked for the College as the senior administrative assistant to the associate dean before she left in 1997 to work as a mental health technician in the Charter Behavioral Health System. She returned in 2008 as the student affairs coordinator. She was recently honored for the second time as the UK College of Nursing Employee of the Year (1996, 2015). Rene Palumbo has been promoted to undergraduate faculty affairs support. Among Palumbo’s duties are new nursing student orientation, the Pinning Ceremony, the application process for nursing licensure and the application process for NCLEX testing. Palumbo was previously the administrative assistant to the associate dean for undergraduate studies. faculty & S TA F F in Memory Shayn Elexendere passed away in May 2016. He was a second year Med-Vet student and a wonderful husband and father. Shayn was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army and of his Catholic faith. Shayn will be remembered for his devotion to serving others and bringing out the best in everyone he met. Ross McCoy passed away in March 2016 and was working toward earning his degrees in psychology as well as nursing at UK. He was a member of the UK Honor Society. Ross will be missed for his kindness and his contagious smile and laugh by all who knew him. University of Kentucky College of Nursing 7 * 8 feature WRITTEN BY: Rena Baer PHOTOGRAPHS BY: Shaun Ring Photography * EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES The Dean’s Diversity & Inclusivity Advisory Council The University of Kentucky College of Nursing is working to better mirror the increasingly diverse community its graduates will serve in the health care world. “Strategically creating space to embrace diverse populations opens the opportunity to better understand different views, values and traditions,” says Dean Janie Heath, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN. “We have failed all those we serve if we do not build an inclusive and diverse environment.” Rather than relying solely on increasing awareness, the College has made developing diversity and inclusivity one of the top goals in its 2015-2020 Strategic Plan. This has led to taking definitive steps that acknowledge and reflect shifting demographics and the need for a culture of acceptance and understanding within the College. Among the actions being taken are the creation of a new position to direct the effort, an internal and an external advisory board and a budgetary commitment to the initiative. Also included are the metrics to gauge progress, with a goal of doubling underrepresented minorities in the College’s student body, staff and faculty by 2020. GOALS FOR 2020 15% 2x 100% INCREASE of overall student enrollment will be underrepresented minorities the number of URM faculty and staff recruited and retained in the College of faculty, staff and students will participate in annual Unconscious Bias Training Strategically creating space to embrace diverse populations opens the opportunity to better understand different views, values and traditions.” —Dean Janie Heath, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN University of Kentucky College of Nursing 9 * “We need to make an accelerated and intentional effort,” says Dr. Heath. “We are way behind on this.” Throughout my career, I have been a mentor to minorities and people who felt out of place. I’ve always encouraged those who don’t march to the same tune as everyone else or think they wouldn’t fit into the PhD program to succeed.” —Jennifer Hatcher, PhD, MPH, RN Dr. Heath had already noted the College’s homogeneity as she “did her homework” before coming to Kentucky two years ago to serve as the College’s dean. “Diversity has always been important to me, and the glimpse I saw did not reflect what I was hoping to see,” she says. Dr. Heath says part of diversity is race and ethnicity, but also gender identification, sexual orientation, disabilities, socioeconomic status, religious affiliation and life experience. All of these are important elements of diversity that must be addressed, as is making sure everyone at the College feels welcome and is a valuable contributor. Dr. Hatcher says she is energized about helping lead the change. “Throughout my career, I have been a mentor to minorities and people who felt out of place,” says Dr. Hatcher. “I’ve always encouraged those who don’t march to the same tune Engaging in a structured effort versus a concerted effort at as everyone else or think they wouldn’t fit into the PhD program incorporating diversity and inclusivity “makes all the difference to succeed.” in the world,” she says. “Leadership makes it a priority and makes the commitment to get the outcomes that we want.” “We need more diversity in the health care workforce,” continues Hatcher. “We treat people from all over the world, Appointing Associate Professor Jennifer Hatcher, PhD, MPH, and when we reflect that same diversity, the outcomes RN, in July 2015 to fill the newly created position of director of diversity and inclusivity at the College wa