Sigma Theta Tau
International Honor Society of Nursing
THE DELTA REPORT
DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER
Editor – Amber Wick
Fall 2011
Delta Omega Officers
President –Kathy Rose
[email protected]
1st Vice President – Linda Shanks
[email protected]
2nd Vice President – Karen Mascolo
[email protected]
Immediate Past President – Barb Brunt
[email protected]
Treasurer – Peg DiMarco
[email protected]
Corresponding Secretary – Marlene Huff
[email protected]
Counselor – Lori Kidd
[email protected]
Archivist – Dina Dornack
[email protected]
Research Grants & Recognition Chair – Elaine Fisher
[email protected]
Leadership Succession Committee Chris Graor [email protected]
Newsletter Co-Editor –Amber Wick
[email protected]
The Delta Report is published three times yearly for Delta Omega
Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau, Inc. The Delta Report welcomes
information about members’ accomplishments in research,
promotion, publication, and/or presentation. Correspondence to the
Delta Report should be sent to the president Barb Brunt via email at
[email protected]
Sigma Theta Tau, International www.nursingsociety.org
Delta Omega http://www.uakron.edu/nursing/about-us/stti
Message from the Chapter President:
Kathy Rose
As the new president of Delta Omega, I would like
to begin my tenure by thanking Barb Brunt for her
encouragement and mentorship during my year as
President-Elect. Without her superior knowledge
and outstanding teaching ability, I would not have
been able to assume such a monumental
responsibility as your president. As my new office
begins I am excited about the upcoming two years
ahead of all of us as members of Delta Omega.
Even though it is only months into my role, so
much has happened already. Delta Omega has
served a hot lunch at OPEN-M, shared pizza and
nursing education opportunities with the Germany
nursing students, supported and attended the
“Cameos of Caring Gala” and by the time this
newsletter is published, some of the chapter
members will have attended the Biennium
Conference in Texas. As a member of Delta Omega
I am delighted to know that this organization is
involved in so many community programs and
events.
The most exciting news to date has been the local
chapter receiving its tenth Key Award. Barb Brunt
will be accepting the award at the Biennium in
Texas. Once the conference is over and the new
guidelines are published, we will begin
accumulating points toward our 11th Key Award.
With the help of each member I know this will
become a reality!
As each board member either continues in their
present role or has accepted a new role, we are
consistently looking for other Delta Omega
members to assist with unfilled board positions
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and/or join committees. I personally have been
inviting colleagues to come and listen to what we
have to offer. It is such an exciting venture not only
to be serving but to know that there are so many
things involved in Delta Omega – not just research!
I am “on fire” for Delta Omega and am hoping that
my excitement is contagious! Once the Delta
Omega members return from Texas with new and
shared ideas and research opportunities, perhaps
there will be some things we can incorporate into
networking with our members.
In closing, I would invite all Delta Omega members
to always be searching for ideas of where we can
make the most positive impact for our nursing
society; whether it be a community service project,
a research opportunity, mentoring a new member or
otherwise. I would encourage attendance at a board
meeting to see where you can help. Our meetings
are held on the fourth Monday of each month
beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Delta Omega room in
Mary Gladwin Hall at The University of Akron. I
look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Kathy
Kathy Rose, RN, MSN
President, Delta Omega Chapter, STTI
New Committee Members
The following individuals have volunteered to be
members of Delta Omega Committees:
 Raouth R. Kostandy, [email protected]
Awards and Bylaws Committees
 Teri Hillestad, [email protected],
Induction Committee
 Carolyn Murrock, [email protected]
Research Committee
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Thank you for your willingness to serve the Delta
Omega Chapter!
Community Corner
Cameos of Caring Gala 2011
October 15, 2011
The tenth annual Cameos of Caring Gala was held
in the Student Union at The University of Akron on
October 15, 2011. Sixteen area nurses received the
award. These nurses from local hospitals: Summa
Health System/Akron City Hospital and St. Thomas
Hospitals, Akron General Medical Center, Summa
Barberton Hospital, Affinity Medical Center,
Aultman Hospital, Aultman Hospital Woodlawn
Campus, Summa Western Reserve Hospital, Edwin
Shaw Rehabilitation Institute, Akron Children’s
Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Crystal Clinic
Orthopaedic Center, Summa Wadsworth Rittman
Hospital, Robinson Memorial Hospital, and Medina
Hospital.
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It was an honor to listen to the reasons each
recipient chose nursing as their career. From the
typical little girls growing up always wanting to be a
nurse to those who chose nursing as their second
career, each nurse was honored to be chosen for
this award. As some of the past recipients stated,
this honor now holds them to a higher standard.
In addition to the current recipients there is now a
Cameos of Caring Alumni Association. Their goals
are to:
 Honor outstanding nurses for their
dedication to quality patient care
Thank you to all those who were chosen for this
prestigious award!
Submitted by Kathy Rose, President, Delta Omega Chapter
OPEN-M
Summer Camp Program
 ncrease public awareness of the nursing
profession by highlighting its career rewards
 Inspire nurses to increase their positive
impact on patient care and to continue to
advance their careers in a variety of ways
 Recruit a new generation of nurses to help
offset the current nursing shortage
 Support education of nurses from
partnering organizations
In Collaboration with Akron Children’s Hospital,
Delta Omega provided boxed lunches to children
participating in the Summer Camp Program at
OPEN-M on July 27, 2011. Delta Omega hopes to
continue this collaboration in the future to serve the
community.
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Serving Hot Lunch
Submitted by Dina Dornak, Archivist
SAVE THE DATE!!!
A good time was had by all while serving hot lunch
to the community on September 21, 2011 at OPENM in Akron. We served 159 plates between
11:30am-1:00pm. Total expenses for the project
were $313.74. We made our infamous taco salads.
Many thanks to the following members who
donated their time and baked goods for dessert:
Tiffany McCombs, Therese Dowd, Josephine
Velasquez, Barb Brunt, Dina Dornack, Eileen
Felming, Kathy Horning, Lori Kidd, Marlene Huff,
Peg DiMarco, Elaine Fisher, Annette Mitzel and
Kathy Rose. Look forward to having more join us
next year.
Volunteers will be needed to serve hot lunch at
OPEN-M on Wednesday February 22, 2011. Please
contact Dina Dornak, [email protected], for
more information.
Soup for the City
The Delta Omega Chapter will donate two raffle
baskets for the Soup for the City Event on Saturday,
November 5, 2011 at Todaro'sParty Center.
Proceeds from this event will support the Good
Samaritan Hunger Center which serves over 200
meals and over 200 bags of food and fresh soup
weekly.
We are asking members to donate items for each of
the baskets by Wednesday, November 2, 2011.
The first basket will be a wine basket. With the
items that have already been donated, we are
looking for 2 more bottles of different wine, a wine
rack, and two gift cards to different local wineries
The second basket will be an "Eat Your Heart Out n
Shop Till You Drop" basket. Looking for several
gift cards to different restaurants and retail
stores. Gift cards we have are TGI Fridays, Bob Evans,
Applebee's, Kohl's and a Visa Gift Card. Keep more
coming.
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Items can be mailed to Dina Dornack 249 S.
Hawkins Ave. Akron, OH 44313 or arrangements
can be made to get items to Dina by November
2nd.
Please indicate what item or items you plan to
purchase and contact Dina with any questions
at [email protected].
Delta Omega Fall Program
Wednesday October 5, 2011 at Akron Children’s
Hospital
Our fall program was held in conjunction with the
Akron Children’s Hospital Kids’ 2011 conference.
Delta Omega provided the pre-conference Holistic
Nursing: Research and Practice. Over 30 nurses
attended this pre-conference program.
clinics. Kathleen Scott, PhD, RN, ANP, a family
nurse practitioner in the University of Akron’s
Nursing Center for Community Health, presented
extremely interesting and inspiring information on
both holistic nursing topics. We are very thankful to
Kathleen Scott for sharing her expertise, and to
Akron Children’s Hospital for co-sponsoring this
program.
Submitted by Linda Shanks, 1st Vice President, Delta Omega
Chapter
Research Corner
News about the Upcoming 23rd
International Nursing Research
Congress
Abstracts for presentations at the 23rd International
Nursing Research Congress can be submitted until
December 7. The Congress will be held in
Brisbane, Australia from 30 July to 3 August
2012. Check the STTI website for details.
Delta Omega Represented at the
22nd International Nursing Research
Congress
The program began with refreshments and an
opportunity to network with others. Some
information on Delta Omega’s nurse extern
program was provided by Dina Dornack. The preconference program covered two topics. The first
topic was titled Exploring the Art and Science of
Holistic Nursing: A Path to Fulfilling Practice,
which contrasted the allopathic and holistic models
of care as well as ways in which the wellness model
has redirected priorities in nursing research. The
second topic was Holistic Nursing in Nurse
Managed Clinics: Integrated Care at its Finest,
which explained the nurse-managed clinic model of
health care delivery and provided examples of best
practices in patient outcomes in nurse-managed
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The 22nd International Nursing Research
Congress was held in Cancun, Mexico from July
11-14, 2011. Nurses from 33 countries attended,
and more than 400 oral and poster presentations
were offered. Three of those giving oral
presentation were from the Delta Omega Chapter:
Chris Graor, RN, PhD, Carolyn Murrock, RN, PhD,
and Marianne Norris, RN, MSN. Their presentation
abstracts follow.
Predictors of Weight and Fitness Related Meanings by
Chris Graor
Purpose: Despite studies examining relationships between
weight loss maintenance, behaviors, and psychological
constructs (e.g., self-esteem, self-efficacy), no studies have
examined the relationship between weight loss maintenance
and relevant meanings. This study investigated if weight loss
maintenance and involvement in weight loss and fitness
groups predict meanings of weight loss-related behaviors and
self-views. The study was guided by Meade’s theory of
socialization.
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Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from
subjects (n=400) recruited at weight loss and fitness sites in
a Midwest state and at weight loss and fitness Internet
websites. Approximately 82% were female, and 92% were
Caucasian. Age ranged from 18-80 (M=36.22, SD=14.75).
Meaning was measured as affective meanings of evaluation,
potency, and activity on 9-point semantic differential scales.
Four dimensions of group involvement were measured:
extensive (size of group social networks), affective
(importance that significant others give to weight loss and
fitness), duration, and frequency. Data were analyzed using
multiple regression (gender, age, and BMI controlled). Selfviews included: “myself as I really am,” myself as others see
me,” “my body.” Behaviors included: “to be physically active,”
“to exercise,” “to eat 3 desserts.”
Results: Weight loss maintenance did not predict selfmeanings and negatively predicted positive, potent, and
active behaviors meanings of one behavior (to eat 3 desserts,
β=-.22 to -.35, p<.05-.01). Extensive and frequency of
involvement consistently predicted positive, potent and active
self-views (β=.36 to .64, p<.01-.001) and behavior meanings
(to be physical active, to exercise: β=.22 to .87, p<.05-.001,
to eat 3 desserts: β=-.67 to -.78, p<.05-.01).
Conclusions: Extensive and frequency of weight loss and
fitness group involvement are better predictors of meanings
of weight loss-related behaviors and self-views, than are
weight loss maintenance and duration and affective
involvement. Therefore, group socialization may have more
influence on weight loss and fitness-related meanings than
personal accomplishments of weight loss maintenance.
disability frequency, none of the seven independent variables
were significant predictors (R2=.02, F=.66, p=.62). The
overall equation for disability limitations explained 11% of the
variance (F=3.65, p<.01) with comorbidity (β= -.25, p<.01)
most predictive.
Results: Personal factors were better predictors of physical
function and disability limitations than demographic factors.
Conclusion: The LLFDI that was originally developed for
older adults appears to be able to predict function and
disability in middle-aged community dwelling African
American women. This is paramount as function and disability
are fundamental elements of independent living.
Oral Health Promotion in Children to Age Five –
presented by Marianne Norris
Marlene Huff, PhD, MSN, RN1
Diana Biordi, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN1
Evelyn Taylor, MS, RD, LD2
Marianne Norris, MSN, CPNP3
Marguerite DiMarco, PhD, MSN, CPNP3
Deborah Bradshaw, MS, RD2
Sherrey Thacker, MS, RN2
Peter Leahy, PhD4
1College of Nursing, The University of Akron, Akron, OH
2Nutrition, The University of Akron, Akron, OH
3Nursing, The University of Akron, Akron, OH
4Health and Social Policy Institute, The University of Akron,
Akron, OH
Purpose:
Predictors of Function and Disability in African
American Women by Carolyn Murrock
Purpose: Personal factors (age, body mass index, body fat,
and comorbidity) and demographic factors (income,
education, and marital status) affect functional decline and
disability, especially in older adults. However, middle aged
African American women have higher than average rates of
obesity, obesity associated comorbidities, functional decline,
and disability than the general population. Instruments
developed to assess function and disability in older
community dwelling adults may be able to predict function
and disability in middle-aged, community dwelling African
American women. Based on Nagi’s disablement framework,
the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) was
developed as a comprehensive assessment of function and
disability in community dwelling older adults. The function
component consists of 32 items that assess the ability to
perform discreet physical tasks encountered in daily routines.
The disability component contains 16 items that assess
disability frequency and 16 items about disability limitations.
Methods: The LLFDI was administered to 126 middle-aged,
community dwelling African American women (M=58.7 years,
SD=11.0). To determine which personal and demographic
factors were predictors, separate regression equations were
conducted on each dependent variable. For physical function,
the overall equation explained 29% of the variance (F=13.98,
p<.001) with age (β= -.52, p<.001), BMI (β= -.46, p<.01),
and comorbidity (β= -.27, p<.01) most predictive. For
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Establishing good oral health practices early in life and
preserving tooth integrity are goals of a research project
implemented at 2 WIC sites by an interdisciplinary health care
team. Caries remains the most common chronic childhood
disease. Risk of childhood carries is greatest for poor and
minority children in which disease is largely untreated
because of barriers to care. The move toward evidence-based
practice has added momentum to the goal of translating the
newest science on caries into practice. The focus of this
research was prevention of cavity formation through proper
diet, use of fluoride in water, in toothpaste, and fluoride
varnishes. Motivational interviewing was used to support
behavioral changes in mothers to reduce colonization of
cariogenic bacteria, improve diet, and implement oral hygiene
practices.
Design: This pilot study used a descriptive research design to
answer the research questions: 1) What is the present
condition of teeth in children 0-5 who are enrolled in a WIC
program? 2) What dietary practices are being used that
promote development of cavity formation? 3) How receptive
are mothers and children to fluoride varnish?
Methods: A purposive sample of mothers and children who
enrolled in a WIC clinic participated in the study. Fluoride
varnish was applied to the child’s teeth following a brief
description of the benefits of the varnish. Mothers and
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children were taught appropriate methods of cavity
prevention.
Results: Oral assessments were completed for 632 children,
119 (18.8%) of those children had visible lesions on their
teeth or had discolored teeth; 128 (20.3%) drank sugary
juices.
Conclusion: The process of educating mothers and children
about oral health and hygiene, and application of fluoride
varnish to teeth in an interdisciplinary collaborative
relationship with WIC demonstrates promise for the
implementation of similar programs to promote good oral
health.
Dear Delta Omega,
Thank you for your support so I could attend the
22nd International Nursing Research Congress
Focusing on Evidenced-Based Practice in Cancun,
Mexico. This is my third International Research
Congress as I attended the Congress in 2007
(Vienna, Austria) and in 2009 (Vancouver, British
Columbia). I presented “Predictors of Function and
Disability in African American Women” on July 12.
The purpose of my study was to determine if
personal factors (age, body mass index, body fat,
and comorbidity) or demographic factors (income,
education, and marital status) were better predictors
of functional decline and disability in communitydwelling, middle-aged African American women.
The results indicated that personal factors (age,
BMI, and comorbidity) were better predictors than
demographic factors. With the rampant rise in
obesity, functional decline and disability are
beginning to be more evident in middle aged adults.
This is important as physical function and disability
are fundamental elements of independent living.
During my presentation, my audience included
nurses from: Qatar, Philippines, Japan, and a
woman originally from Africa who currently works
at the University of Georgia. Each of these nurses
concurred with the problem of obesity in their
respective countries. In fact, the nurse from Qatar is
currently working on a program to reduce obesity in
school-aged children. She said the rate of
childhood obesity has almost tripled in the last 10
years in Qatar!
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As I viewed the posters and attended oral
presentations, it constantly amazes me all the places
you will find a nurse! Nurses can be found in
remote mountain villages in Thailand, providing
prenatal care to nomads in Africa, and helping
families cope with end-of-life issues in Iceland. In
fact, the only places I have not seen nurses are the
North and South Poles! We represent over 70
countries and 6 of the 7 continents! We have a
tremendous impact world-wide! Thank you again
for your support as I am proud to represent the
United States and the Delta Omega Chapter of
Sigma Theta Tau!
See you in Australia in 2012!
Carolyn Murrock
Research Funding Opportunities
from Delta Omega Chapter
The next deadline for submission of proposals for a
Delta Omega Research Grant is February 15, 2012.
For details, see the Delta Omega website
(http://www.uakron.edu/nursing/about-us/stti/). If
you have questions as you are developing your
proposal, please contact Elaine Fisher at
[email protected].
RESEARCH TIPS: WHERE DO
IDEAS COME FROM?
Have you ever asked why something is done a
certain way or what would happen if you did
something another way? If you have, then you are
on your way to finding a researchable question.
Curiosity is a key feature in finding relevant
problems to study. The first step is to increase your
power of observation. Ask yourself during the day
“What problems did I or my peers encounter in
practice today? What were the details surrounding
each problem?” Keep a pocket notebook handy to
record your observations and validate your hunches.
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Writing down your problem is a critical first step
toward clarifying your problem so it can be reworked into a researchable question.
To determine if you have identified an important
problem, evaluate it by using the “so what” factor.
“So what” if this problem is solved or not solved? If
it’s not solved, will it harm someone, will it
increase pain and suffering, or will it increase the
rate of complications or death? The “so what” factor
helps you determine the significance of the
problem. If you can’t answer these questions, it’s
time to take a step back and re-consider the
problem. Perhaps you have not quite gotten at the
root of the issue – re-examine. Talk it over with
peers and other health care professionals to gain a
360o perspective on the problem.
Next, do your homework. Visit your librarian to
search for what others have thought about the
problem. If the problem is defined, perhaps you can
identify and develop a new strategy to solve the
problem. Check out the Cochrane Collaboration,
“an international, independent, not-for-profit
organization of over 28,000 contributors from more
than 100 countries, dedicated to making up-to-date,
accurate information about the effects of health care
readily available worldwide”
(http://www.cochrane.org/). By entering your area
of interest, you can identify the level of evidencebased research surrounding your problem and the
next steps to research. Watch for the next newsletter
issue as we provide tips for navigating the Cochrane
Database.
Submitted by Chris Graor, RN, PhD and Elaine Fisher, RN,
PhD
News From Summa Health System
Reporter: Barb Brunt
Thirty-eight nurses from Summa Akron City/St
Thomas Hospitals attended the Magnet Conference
in Baltimore, MD in October to celebrate receiving
our Magnet designation. Summa had three poster
presentations. Carolyn Holder, MSN, RN, CGNS-
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BC had poster on “It’s My Health: A Nursing
Model Coming Patient-Centered Care and
Transitional Care”, which won first place in the
New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements
category. Jocelyn Davis, DNP, CNM, RN, C-EFM
had a poster on “On Your Mock . . . Get Set . . . Go
Magnet” and Barb Brunt, MA, MN, NE-BC, NEBC had a poster on “Sharing Resources in Magnet
and Non-Magnet Facilities in a Seven-Hospital
Integrated Healthcare System”
Michelle Bender, BSN, RN, presented “Refugee
Challenges in Navigating Western Medicine: A
Primary Care Approach” at the 2nd annual Rita
McGinley Symposium Exploring Social Justice for
Vulnerable Populations: The Face of the Immigrant
at Duquesne University on September 28th and 29th.
Nancy McManus, BSN, MEd, RN, CGRS,
presented “CNE: Keeping the OBN Happy” at a
strategic planning session of the Stark Carroll
District of the Ohio Nurses Association in Canton
on June 4th.
Valerie Prulhiere, RN presented “Care Beyond
Violence: Holistic Forensic Nursing Care” at the
OH Attorney General’s Two Days in May
Conference.
Janet Raber, BSN, RN, CDE did a presentation on
“Group Diabetes for LEP Clients” at the 2nd annual
Rita M. McGinley Symposium Exploring Social
Justice for Vulnerable Populations: The Face of
Immigration at Duquesne University on September
28th and 29th.
Barbara Brunt, MA, MN, RN-BC, NE-BC
presented a poster on “Integrating Staff
Development in a Seven-Hospital System” at the
NNSDO Convention in Chicago in July and the
Sigma Theta Tau International Convention in
Grapevine, Texas in October. She also presented a
concurrent session on “Educational Research” at the
NNSDO Convention.
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Elisabeth Hanna, BSN, RN, CGRN presented
“Incidence of BASRF V600E Mutation in
Colorectal Cancer with Mismatch Repair Protein
Defect due to Loss of MLH1: A Prospective
Evaluation of 104 Consecutive Patients” at the
Second Annual Navigation and Survivorship
Conference in San Antonio in September.
Kathy Wright, MSN, GCNS-BC, PMHSNC-BC,
FGNLA was chosen as one of three fellows for the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration’s Minority Fellowship program
through the American Nurses Association in
September.
Tara Snyder, RN, BSN and Timothy Drake, MD
presented “Emergency Simulations in Obstetrics” at
the AWHONN/ACOG Ohio Conference on August
20th.
Jennifer Doyle, MSN, WHNP-BC, Tiffany Kenny,
MSN, C-EFM, Amy Burkett, MD, and Vivian von
Gruenigen, MD had an article “A Performance
Improvement Process to Tackle Tachysystole”
published in the Sept/Oct 2011 issue of Journal of
Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Neonatal Nursing
(JOGNN).
Jennifer Doyle, MSN, WHNP-BC and Nancy
Wigle, RN presented the “AWHONN Intermediate
Heart Rate Monitoring Program” at Mercy Medical
Center in September, 2011
Lisa Rhodes, RN from 2 East and Faith Peters, RN
from St. Thomas are the Summa Akron City and &
St. Thomas Hospitals 2011 Cameos of Caring
recipients. They were recognized at the University
of Akron’s Cameos of Caring event on October 15,
2011.
Jane Soposky MSN, RN NEA-BC was an invited
guest lecturer to the Frances Payne Bolton SON at
Case Western Reserve University Senior BSN
program leadership class on the topic
“Organizational Culture and the Magnet® Journey”
in September.
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Cynthia Morgan, RN, CWA, Cindi McWhorter,
RN, BSN, CWCN and Jennifer Reusch, RN, BSN
were faculty and contributors to “Heal Ohio:
Showcasing Global Emerging Concepts in Wound
Healing” conference at Northeast Ohio Medical
University in October.
Kathy Wright, MSN, GCNS-BC, PMHSNC-BC,
FGNLA is a manuscript reviewer for the
International Journal of Aging and Human
Development
Kathy Wright, MSN, GCNS-BC, PMHSNC-BC,
FGNLA did a paper presentation on “The construct
of empowerment illustrated through guided mastery
and the health belief model to promote physical
activity in a frail older adult with multiple chronic
conditions: A case study. B. Resnick” at the
Symposium: Successfully Maintaining Healthy
Behaviors Throughout the Adult Lifespan.
Successfully Overcoming special challenges to
adhering to healthy behaviors among older adults at
the Gerontological Society of America Annual
Meeting in Boston, MA on November 19, 2011.
Kathy Wright, MSN, GCNS-BC, PMHSNC-BC,
FGNLA and K. Sanjeev Bhavnani presented
“Don’t Drop the Baton: Transitional Care Across
the Continuum” at the Better Health Greater
Cleveland Learning Collaborative Summit XI in
Cleveland, Oh in September 2011.
News from The University of Akron
College of Nursing
Click here for information about the new College of
Health Professions.
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Have you worked with a GREAT
mentor, leader, researcher, or
colleague lately?
Recognize this person by nominating her or him to
receive an Award of Excellence. Each year the
Delta Omega Chapter gives the following Awards
of Excellence during the Spring Induction ceremony
to a worthy recipient. Areas of excellence are
recognized by the following awards:
 Award for Excellence in Nursing
Leadership
 Award for Excellence in Nursing
Practice
 Award for Excellence in Nursing
Education
 Award for Excellence in Nursing
Research
 Award for Excellence in the
Utilization of Nursing Research
 Award for Excellence in Nurse
Mentoring
 Award for Outstanding Nursing
Undergraduate or Graduate Student
Performance
Award recipients do not need to be a chapter
member to receive an Award of Excellence,
however only Delta Omega Chapter members can
nominate individuals. Awards are voted in
February. So, if you have worked with several
GREAT mentors, leaders, researchers, or
colleagues lately, submit your nominations to
Elaine Fisher at [email protected]. Please see the
chapter website at
http://www.uakron.edu/nursing/about-us/stti/ for
more information on award criteria.
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Involve UA Graduate and Honors
Students in Hospital-based Research
Projects
Each semester nursing graduate and honors students
at The University of Akron get involved with
hospital-based nursing research, where they see
how nurses conduct research in practice settings and
implement evidence in practice.
During the second graduate research course,
graduate students work a 60-hour practicum with
Master’s or PhD prepared nurse researchers in area
hospitals and practice settings. If you are interested
in mentoring a graduate student for fall, spring, or
summer semesters for a research practicum, please
contact Carolyn Murrock at [email protected] or
Chris Heifner Graor at [email protected].
Nursing honors students conduct research projects
during their senior year, and some of these are
hospital-based. The students learn about research
concepts and the research process during a juniorlevel research course when they write their research
proposals. They then carry out the proposals during
the senior year. Students involved in hospital-based
projects work with both College of Nursing and
hospital nurses so it’s a good opportunity for
students to see collaboration in practice. If you are
interested in involving an honors student in a
hospital-based project, contact Chris Heifner Graor
at [email protected].
Get Involved with a Leadership
Extern Position!
The Delta Omega Leadership Program is your
opportunity to grow professionally and personally,
to develop or expand your leadership skills, and to
learn more about STTI and the Delta Omega
Chapter. You can do this by becoming a leadership
extern. A leadership extern is a licensed registered
nurse who will be mentored by a member of the
Board of Directors and will have the opportunity to:
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 Learn skills for leadership
development
 Be mentored as a nurse leader
 Develop networking opportunities
 Participate in honor society activities
at the international, regional and
chapter levels
If you would like more information about this
opportunity to gradually increase your involvement
in Delta Omega, contact Chris Graor at
[email protected] and check the chapter website at
http://www.uakron.edu/nursing/about-us/stti/.
Making a Difference in Chapter
Work
Members of Delta Omega are encouraged to make a
difference in chapter work by serving on chapter
committees. Here’s a description of each
committee. For further information about how you
can get involved with chapter committees, see the
Delta Omega website at
http://www.uakron.edu/nursing/about-us/stti/ and
contact Chris Graor at [email protected]
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Comprised of two elected chapter members,
plus the counselor. The committee is charged
with overseeing bylaw compliance, makes
recommendations for bylaws changes, and
oversees member eligibility issues. The
counselor serves as the chair of this committee.
LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION/NOMINATING
COMMITTEE
Develops members in organizational leadership
roles, mentors members to assume
organizational board and officer positions,
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selects nominees, and prepares and sends the
ballot to the board of directors four weeks prior
to a scheduled election.
AWARDS COMMITTEE
Oversees the development, review and judging
of the chapter’s award applications, and
coordinates the preparation and submission of
regional and/or international award applications
on behalf of the chapter.
BYLAWS COMMITTEE
Oversees the bylaws amendment process and
submits the Chapter’s bylaws to headquarters.
INDUCTION COMMITTEE
Assists with the planning and coordination of the
annual induction process and the induction
service and oversees the preparation of the
annual induction ceremony.
NEWSLETTER/WEB COMMITTEE
Oversees the development and implementation
of strategies to maintain and increase the
chapter’s visibility through venues such as Web
sites and newsletters.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Plans, develops, coordinates, and implements
chapter meeting programming and oversees the
CE process for all programs and meetings.
RESEARCH GRANTS COMMITTEE
Reviews grant applications and submits
recommendations for funding to the board of
directors.
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Works with the chapter treasurer as needed
with fund-raising strategies, and with the
coordination, implementation and evaluation of
chapter fund-raising projects and events.