Sigma Theta Tau
International Honor Society of Nursing
THE DELTA REPORT
DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER
Fall 2013
Co- Editors – Amber Bulcroft, Elizabeth Dixon,& Brittany Sanford
Message from the Chapter President:
Delta Omega Officers
Lyn Benedict, MSN, RN, CNS, CDP
President –Lyn Benedict, [email protected]
1st Vice President – Lisa Hart, [email protected]
2nd Vice President – Dina Dornak,
[email protected]
Immediate Past President – Kathy Rose,
[email protected]
Treasurer – Sheau-Huey Chiu, [email protected]
Corresponding Secretary – Linda Shanks,
[email protected]
Counselor – Lori Kidd
[email protected]
Research Grants & Recognition Chair – Chris
Heifner Graor, [email protected]
Leadership Succession Committee Chair- Barb Brunt,
[email protected], Elizabeth Good,
[email protected], Carolyn Sutter,
[email protected]
Newsletter Committee Chair –Amber Wick
[email protected], Elizabeth Dixon,
[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 Lyn Benedict at
[email protected]
Sigma Theta Tau, International www.nursingsociety.org
Delta Omega http://www.uakron.edu/nursing/about-us/stti
Recently I have been reviewing my knowledge
about STTI. As you know it was established in
1922 with the founders choosing 3 Greek words
Storge (love), Tharsos (courage), and Time (honor)
as the basis of the organization which now has over
130,000 members (51% staff nurses) in 85
countries. The three words are needed more than
ever as we continue our journey of learning,
leadership and professional development in making
a difference in today’s changing health care
environment.
Love- of the profession, of the patients, families and
colleagues.
Courage - to change and lead the change for better
practice when the challenges are great.
Honor- to give our best each day even when the
load is heavy and change is ever present.
Our chapter is 33 years young this year- 1980-2013.
This year at the 42nd Biennial Convention the
Delta Omega Chapter will receive its 11th
Chapter Key Award. This award is presented to
chapters who excel in chapter activitiesrecruitment and retention, professional and
leadership development, collaboration at the
local, national and international levels and
research. There is only one other chapter who
will also receive the 11 year award-our
colleagues at Beta Nu, Carolina University,
College of Nursing, NC.
This award is possible by the collective activities
of us, the 400 + members. It reflects our
commitment, collaboration, professional
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responsibility, research, publications,
presentations, community service. Receiving this
award at the Convention (Kathy Rose will accept on
behalf of the Chapter) will honor all of us. I wish
we could all be there because your love, courage,
and honor in nursing have made it possible.
As we continue through the year please remember
to forward your activities to the chapter- there is a
form on the website to do so. Remember, the
members make us who we are. I invite you to our
Board meetings which are the 4th Monday of the
month, 5-7 PM in room 101 in Mary Gladwin Hall,
The University of Akron.
Also consider the following:
 Invest in nursing daily. Use
evidence based knowledge to learn
new techniques. Attend Chapter
programs.
 Collaborate and network on your
unit, facility, nursing organizations
to strengthen nursing practice.
Network at our meetings.
 Mentor and appreciate students and
new nurses – they are our future.
Support each other.
 Commit to yourself daily to do your
best.
 Trust that your expertise makes a
difference in lives
 Grow – do a research project, write
something, lead a project, try a
different approach, get active with
Delta Omega.
 Be proud to be a nurse!!!
I like quotes so I end with a quote from English
novelist Aldous Huxley “ Experience is not what
happens to you; it’s what you do with what
happens to you.”
Happy and Healthy Holidays!
Lyn Benedict, MSN, RN, CNS, CDP
Getting to Know Our New
Committee Members
Aaron Harding, RN
Delta Omega Leadership Extern
Choosing to become an extern for the Delta Omega
Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau was an easy
decision. I wanted to become more involved in a
professional organization so I can make a difference
in the nursing world. I have been an emergency
room RN for 6 years and wanted to gain insight to
leadership skills so I could influence positive
change in my environment. This opportunity as a
leadership extern offers a new challenge to help me
grow as a nurse, and as a leader.
Sigma Theta Tau presents a chance to inspire others
and mentor nurses newer to the profession. The
leadership extern position allows one to witness
leaders in action and develop into a leader in any
organization. It is also a great way to network, meet
new people, and advance professionally. Thus far,
it has been a fantastic experience and I am looking
forward to a great year.
The following individuals have volunteered to be
on the Board of Directors or chairs of a Delta
Omega Committee:
 Lyn Benedict, [email protected]
President
 Kathy Rose, [email protected],
Immediate Past President
 Lisa Hart, [email protected],
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1st Vice President
Program Planning Committee Chair
 Dina Dornack, [email protected],
2nd Vice President
Induction Committee Chair
 Brittany Sanford,
[email protected] ,
Leadership Intern
Thank you for your willingness to serve the
Delta Omega Chapter!
 Linda Shanks, [email protected],
Secretary
 Sheau-Huey Chiu, [email protected] ,
Treasurer
Ways and Means Committee Chair
 Lori Kidd, [email protected],
Faculty Counselor
Bylaws Committee Chair
 Chris Heifner-Graor, [email protected],
Awards Committee Chair
Research Grant Committee Chair
 Elizabeth Good, [email protected] ,
Leadership Succession Committee Co-Chair
 Carolyn Sutter, [email protected] ,
Leadership Succession Committee Co-Chair
 Barb Brunt, [email protected] ,
Leadership Succession Committee Co-Chair
 Amber Bulcroft, [email protected] ,
Newsletter Commitee Co-Chair
 Elizabeth Dixon, [email protected] ,
Newsletter Committee Co-Chair
 Gail Beriswill, [email protected] ,
Leadership Extern
 Aaron Harding, [email protected] ,
Leadership Extern
 Jessica Mikelait, [email protected]
Leadership Intern
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Community Corner
Cameos of Caring Gala 2013
October 19, 2013
The 12th Annual Cameos of Caring Gala was held
October 19th in the Student Union Ballroom. Sigma
Theta Tau Delta Omega chapter was proud to be a
contributor to this event and sponsored a table
where members were able to enjoy a lovely dinner
and awards presentation. Chapter representatives
were, Gail Beriswill, Aaron Harding, Lisa Hart,
Marlene Huff, Linda Shanks, Sheau Huey Chiu,
Lori Kidd, and Lyn Benedict.
The University of Akron began the Cameos of
Caring program in 2002 to celebrate nursing
excellence and keep the nation’s critical need for
nurses at the forefront of public consciousness. It is
truly a celebration of nurses and nursing!
This year, 16 nurses from the Akron area were
nominated by their peers for their ability to make a
difference in the lives of patients as well as their coworkers. As they came to the podium to receive
their award and briefly describe what nursing means
to them, there was a recurrent theme. They attribute
their success to the love of people, love of caring
for others and the support from their families.
The Cameos of Caring Endowed Scholarship is a
scholarship awarded to a nursing student who has
demonstrated excellence in patient care, serves as
an effective advocate for patients and their families
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and is an exemplary role model for the profession of
nursing. This year’s recipient was Maria Mottice
from the University of Akron.
Submitted by,
Gail Beriswill
Delta Omega Leadership Extern
Serving Hot Lunch at Open-M
Commitment.
It was tangible, it was unwavering, and it came in
different shapes and sizes. This dedication looked
like a daughter, in for the weekend, helping her
mother out. It was a son, starting fresh in the States,
interrupting a job hunt to add an extra helping hand.
It even came in the form of myself; irate with my
new bout of bronchitis and leaving the country that
evening, I begrudgingly shuffled (and sniffled) in to
serve lunch on a sunny September Friday. Most
notably, commitment came in the form of a group
of good natured women of the Delta Omega
Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau who were set on
continuing their support for the needy in Akron.
These stories and this dedication, collided on the
morning of September 6, 2013, at the Open M
Lunch Program. Lyn Benedict was at the head of
this incredible effort. Seven of us gathered to build
relationship with, and serve lunch to, Akronites in
need of a hearty meal. We prepared for 250 guests,
and did not have to wait long for the line to form.
Though understaffed for a time, the afternoon
was an enjoyable and refreshing experience. Due to
great planning, enthusiasm by the cooks, and
seemingly flawless order-taking, the tasks ran
smoothly. Soon, we had gotten a routine in place,
and many of the team were able to engage guests of
all ages in conversation. One of my favorite
moments was a child wagging his finger at his
younger sister, imitating his mother, to "eat your
celery!" The kids were fun and the adults were kind
hearted, asking what I was doing in school and if I
planned on staying in the Akron area.
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Experiences like this continually reaffirm my
decision to stay in Akron after graduation as a
bedside nurse. This is yet another example of why
the School of Nursing at UA, Delta Omega, and the
Akron area is so great. Delta Omega 's efforts
through Open M create an compassionate
intersection of UA and the Akron
community, making a bridge of
relationship between academia and locals. In
typical nursing fashion, this group of dedicated
volunteers put together by the Delta Omega Chapter
have left an indelible mark on the community. I am
so happy to have been a part of it, and to continue to
do so!
Submitted by,
Erin Rosen, RN, BSN
Delta Omega Chapter Member
SAVE THE DATE
Volunteers needed to serve Hot Lunch at
Open-M!!!
Date: Friday, February 28, 2014
Time: 9:00am -2:00 pm
*Volunteers can come in 2-4 hour shifts
or stay the whole day.
Come join in the fun!!!
Fall 2013
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Help Us Bring Christmas to Families in
Need
The Delta Omega Chapter of STTI is sponsoring
two families this year through the OPEN-M
“Christmas for the Love of Children 2013”
Program. We need your help!
We will purchase and
wrap gifts for each child.
Additionally, we will
purchase a gift certificate
from a local supermarket.
The gift certificate will
specifically state “not
valid for tobacco or
alcohol”.
There are several ways you can participate:
 Donate money towards the purchase of
gifts/supermarket gift certificate
o Make check payable to Delta Omega
Chapter, STTI and note for OPEN-M
“Christmas for the Love of Children
2013” Program
o Mail check to Delta Omega Chapter,
STTI
 Donate time to sort donations at OPEN-M
 Shop and provide a gift/gifts
o Contact me for the list of gifts
requested for each child
Contact Dina Dornack,
[email protected] ,
with any questions.
News From Area Institutions
News from Summa
October 2013
Kim Kousaie, BSN, RN, CHPN received the
Midwest region Nursing Excellence GEM award for
Excellence in Home, Community and Ambulatory
Care and Barbara Brunt, MA, MN, RN-BC, NE-BC
received the Midwest region Nursing Excellence
GEM award for Advancing and Leading the
Profession.
Ginnie Abell, BA, RN, CIC was recognized by the
Certified Board of Infection Control and
Epidemiology for 30 years of certification of
Infection Control (CIC). Ginnie was an original
examinee in 1983 and has successfully remained
certified since.
Summa Akron City and St Thomas Hospitals
presented a concurrent session and two poster
presentations at the Magnet conference in Orlando
in October. Nancy Myers, PhD, CPHQ, Barbara
Brunt, MA, MN, RN-BC, NE-BC, Trish Enos, BS,
BSN, RN, CPHQ, and Marianne Mitchen, BA,
BSN, RN presented on Think Globally Act
Locally: Facilitating Safety Culture Change From
the Front Line to the C-Suite.” Lisa Ray, BSN, RN
presented a poster on “One Nurse's Experience
Using Evidence to Change Practice in the ICU” and
Rebekah DeVore, BSN, RN, presented a poster on
“From Worst to Best: Stopping CLABSI in the
Stepdown ICU.”
Jennifer Doyle, MSN, RN, WHNP, Tiffany Kenny,
MSN, RN, C-EFM, Lisa Yeary, BSN, RN and
others presented a posters on “Outcomes after
Implementation of a Hard Stop Policy Limiting
Elective Delivery Prior to 39 weeks” and
“Physician Scorecards to Improve Care and
Promote Adherence to ACOG Guidelines at the 61st
Annual Clinical Meeting of the American College
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of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in New Orleans
in May.
https://awhonn.confex.com/awhonn/2013/webprogr
am/Paper9119.html
Barbara Brunt, MA, MN, RN-BC, NE-BC received
the Excellence in Educator/Academic Liaison
Practice Award at the Association for Nursing
Professional Development Convention in Dallas in
July. She also presented a concurrent session on
Grant Writing Basics at that conference.
Tiffany Kenny, MSN, RN, C-EFM, Nicodemo J,
Fenton B, & von Gruenigen VE. “Does Enhanced
'Bundling' Criteria Improve Outcomes? A
Comparative Study of Elective Inductions”
Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 2013 SepOct;58(9-10):402-10.
Karen Frantz, BSN, RNC and Jocelyn Davis, DNP,
RN, CNM, C-EFM were both named as finalists for
the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year. They will
be recognized at a Gala Celebration in Columbus on
November 2nd.
Stevie M & Tiffany Kenny, MSN, RN, C-EFM
“Implementing a New Nurse-Sensitive Quality
Metric: Initiation of Breastfeeding within 60
Minutes of Birth’ Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic
and Neonatal Nurses, 42(s1): s44.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/15526909.12113/pdf
Roxia Boykin, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President,
Community Relations and Diversity, has been
named a member of the Akron Urban League’s
2013 class of Magnificent Seven Women of Power.
She will be honored at the third annual Women of
Power Luncheon on November 7th.
Summa Health System has once again been
recognized by NorthCoast 99 as one of the best
workplaces in Northeast Ohio! By winning this
award, Summa is recognized as creating an
exceptional workplace that attracts and retains top
performers in the healthcare and non-profit
industry. This year we are extremely proud to
receive the Legacy Award for receiving the
NorthCoast 99 award for ten consecutive years as
one of Northeast Ohio’s best places to work.
Barbara Brunt, MA, MN, RN-BC, NE-BC received
the Excellence in Nursing Administration award
from the Ohio Nurses Association at the annual
convention in October.
Stevie M, & Tiffany Kenny, MSN, RN, C-EFM, “
Implementing a New Nurse-Sensitive Quality
Metric: Initiation of Breastfeeding within 60
Minutes of Birth” Oral plenary session: Innovative
paper programs, Association of Women’s Health,
Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses National
Convention, Nashville, June 2013.
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Tiffany Kenny, MSN, RN, C-EFM. Blog. “Moms
to be: we have quality covered” May 2013.
http://www.summaflourish.org/2013/05/moms-tobe-we-have-quality-covered/
Submitted by,
Barb Brunt
Delta Omega Leadership Succession Co-Chair
Delta Omega Fall Program
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Akron Children’s Hospital
Delta Omega’s Fall 2013 program, “The Doctor of
Nursing Practice (DNP): Pathways and
Applications, “ featured three outstanding speakers:
Linda Shanks, Connie Chronister, and Cheryl
Christ-Libertin. Each speaker presented for
approximately 20 minutes each on a specific focus
of the DNP. The presentations were followed by a
30 minute panel presentation. The speakers
comprised the panel , responding to excellent and
thought-provoking questions and discussion from
the audience. The turnout for the program was
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fantastic with approximately 35 nurses in
attendance.
Research Corner
The first speaker, Linda Shanks, PhD, DNP, RN is
an Associate Professor in the College of Health
Professions, School of Nursing at the University of
Akron. Linda presented a wonderful and thorough
historical perspective of the DNP as well as
standard curriculum pathways included in DNP
programming.
Cheryl Christ-Libertin, DNP, CPNP-PC, was our
second speaker and is the Nursing Evidence-Based
Practice Coordinator at the Center of Nursing
Professional Practice at Akron Children’s Hospital.
Cheryl discussed her own career pathway to the
DNP and the interesting ways she is utilizing her
DNP in practice at Akron Children’s Hospital.
The third speaker Connie Chronister, DNP, RN,
CCRN, Associate Instructor in the College of
Health Professions, School of Nursing at the
University of Akron presented on the DNP in the
Academic Setting. Connie recently received her
DNP at Case Western Reserve University and
discussed her experiences and pathway to the DNP,
as well as her application of the DNP in her current
position.
The program ended with a lively panel discussion
on the various pathways to the DNP and how it
differs by setting. There was also discussion on how
the DNP curriculum has historically been focused
on research versus evidence-based practice and how
that may need to change in the future.
We are very thankful to Linda, Cheryl and Connie
for sharing their expertise and to Akron Children’s
Hospital for co-sponsoring this program. It is
always a great venue for our Fall programs.
Submitted by,
Lisa Hart
st
1 Vice President, Delta Omega Chapter
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Congratulations to
Ann-Marie Brown, PhD(c) who was awarded
research funding from Sigma Theta Tau
International Delta Omega Chapter for her
study, Comparison of Two Gastric Feeding
Approaches in Mechanically Ventilated
Pediatric Patients.
Sigma Theta Tau International Delta Omega
Research Grant
(Research and Evidence-based Practice Projects)
Purpose: The purpose of the Sigma Theta Tau
International Delta Omega Chapter research grant is
to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the
advancement of nursing through research. Proposals
for pilot and/or developmental research may be
submitted. All research topics and designs are
eligible for support.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Be a registered nurse with current license
• Have a master's or doctoral degree, or be
enrolled in a PhD or DNP program
• Submit a completed research application
electronically
• Be ready to implement research project when
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funding is received
• Complete project within one (1) year of
funding
• Be a honor society chapter member in good
standing
• Submit an abstract and final report 90 days
following the end of the one-year funding
period
• Credit STTI Delta Omega in all publications
and presentations of the research.
Grants Available: Two per year
Want to become involved with
Sigma Theta Tau?!?!
Attend a meeting!!!
When: The 4th Monday of every month
Time: 5:00-7:00pm
Where: Mary Gladwin Hall Room 101,
University of Akron
Funding :$2,500 (max)
Deadline: February 15, 2014
September 15, 2014
For Proposal Application Guidelines:
http://www.uakron.edu/nursing/aboutus/stti/research-grants.dot
Contact Information:
Christine Heifner Graor, Chair
Delta Omega Research and Recognition
Committee [email protected]
Call for Volunteers!
Serve as a Delta Omega officer or on a
committee. New officers and members are
welcomed in Spring 2014. For more
information, contact, Barb Brunt at
[email protected] , Elizabeth Good
at [email protected] , or Carolyn Sutter
at [email protected]
Page 8
Call for Nominations for Annual Delta
Omega Recognition Awards!
In the midst of the holidays when we often reflect
about the previous years and where we are in life,
take time to nominate a wonderful mentor,
leader, researcher, educator, colleague, or student
who has “stood out” and made a difference,
especially for you.
Every year your Delta Omega Chapter recognizes
nurses with Awards of Excellence. Take
time now to nominate a nurse, who so deserves to
be recognized! Think of it as a holiday gift to that
person.
Awards for Excellence include the following
categories:
•
Nursing Leadership
•
Nursing Practice
•
Nursing Education
•
Nursing Research
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•
Utilization of Nursing Research
•
Nursing Mentoring
• Outstanding Undergraduate or Graduate
Student Performance
Honors Students’ Research Trip Abroad
Submit your nominations to Chris Heifner Graor
[email protected]. Awards will be announced
at the Chapter Induction in April 2014.
Checkout the Delta Omega Facebook page
for upcoming Chapter events!
http://www.facebook.com/DeltaOmegaChapter
This summer Dr. Sheau-Huey Chiu and five honors
nursing students (Brittany Hirth, Michael Lionetti,
Kate Cottrill, Brittany Sanford, and Rebecca
Ciocca) spent two weeks in Kaifeng, Henan, China.
The purpose of this trip was to collect data for their
honors projects. They went to two local hospitals
and interviewed patients about their use of
traditional Chinese medicine and their
communication with health care providers. More
detail about this trip can be found here:
http://www.uakron.edu/honors/news/newsdetails.dot?newsId=85a2d324-243d-46af-a56526210d03767f&pageTitle=Recent%20Headlines&crumb
Title=West%20meets%20East%20for%20better%20heal
th%20care
Submitted by,
Dr. Sheau-Huey Chiu
Delta Omega Treasurer
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