Excellence
in Nursing
College of Graduate Nursing | 2014
Western University of Health Sciences
Excellence
in Nursing
Table of Contents
Awarding
Excellence
6
Alumni of
Excellence
16
Achieving
Excellence
24
Mentor of
Excellence
26
Message from the Dean ....................................................................................................................................................Pg 2
Message from the President .............................................................................................................................................Pg 3
College of Graduate Nursing Philosophy......................................................................................................................Pg 4
Fact Sheet/Report 2014 ....................................................................................................................................................Pg 5
Academic Achievement Awards .................................................................................................................................Pg 6-9
Donor Awards ..............................................................................................................................................................Pg 10-13
Dean’s List ...........................................................................................................................................................................Pg 14
Who’s Who ..........................................................................................................................................................................Pg 15
Alumni Spotlight ........................................................................................................................................................Pg 16-19
Dissertation Spotlight ..............................................................................................................................................Pg 20-23
Pinning Ceremony .....................................................................................................................................................Pg 24-25
DNP Mentor of the Year .................................................................................................................................................Pg 26
FNP Preceptors of the Year ............................................................................................................................................Pg 27
HSL Preceptor of the Year ..............................................................................................................................................Pg 28
MSN-E Preceptor of the Year .......................................................................................................................................Pg 29
Students in Motion ....................................................................................................................................................Pg 30-33
Nursing Simulation Center Update ......................................................................................................................Pg 34-35
Honoring the Three P’s .............................................................................................................................................Pg 36-37
Nursing Careers Span Three Generations ..................................................................................................................Pg 38
Community Engagement ...............................................................................................................................................Pg 39
In Memoriam ......................................................................................................................................................................Pg 40
Excellence in Nursing | 2013
1
A Message from the Dean
We often share with our incoming students that WesternU is a unique institution. As a graduate health professions university comprised of nine colleges, WesternU
is indeed very special. What are the tangible benefits to College of Graduate Nursing (CGN) students?
Our students benefit from the shared mission, interprofessional education, robust library resources, student clubs and service opportunities. But as a Dean (now
fifteen years) what is my perspective? I have had the opportunity to study and experience how nursing education varies in both public and private institutions
throughout different regions in the United States.
How are we unique? Nursing education at WesternU is a “Gestalt Experience”– better than the sum of its parts. The institution is grounded by its core values,
financial stability, and a dedicated high functioning team of staff and faculty members that truly believe in preparing the best and the brightest for our profession.
Further, faculty and staff clearly operationalize a student-centered culture. Not only are our faculty and staff highly regarded throughout the institution, they are
viewed on our campus as leaders and innovators. Applicants that attend Preview Day share with me that they felt welcomed, excited about furthering their
education, and were referred to us by a current student, an alumnus, or their employer. Our applicant pool continues to grow as does our enrollment.
What makes CGN unique nationally and within California? Our vision for the College is “to continue to lead in the innovative use of best practices in graduate
nursing education.” CGN is a leader in nursing education and a center of education excellence. We do not take our reputation for granted, but rather are always
striving to be the best. CGN faculty are achieving excellence and delivering high-level student outcomes. These accomplishments have elevated CGN as a distinctive
leader in our state. Additionally, the College has achieved the highest level of accreditation, secured millions of dollars in funded grants for student scholarships, and
enjoys an enviable list of clinical partners and affiliations.
When we hosted our CCNE site visit for professional accreditation of our Doctor of Nursing Practice program, the lead site evaluator shared with me that he had
been a reviewer since the beginning of CCNE and that he had visited more schools than most reviewers. He personally shared with me that he had never
encountered such a high level of professional staff in all the schools he had visited; nor had he encountered such a well-run school of nursing! Of course he was
impressed with the faculty, our DNP students, and the program, but I knew he was articulating his awareness of the “CGN Gestalt.” The combination of faculty and
staff at CGN are achieving outcomes that go far beyond the number of individuals in our college. While I do take some credit for leading, mentoring, and hiring this
talented group of individuals, the team has evolved to demonstrate an on-going synergy of excellence -- the formula for success.
These accolades provide evidence that the College of Graduate Nursing has acquired the distinction of being a leader in nursing education, an innovator of
curriculum and programs. Our graduates continually
provide evidence of our excellence. Such excellence is hard-wired into the DNA of both faculty and staff. So keep your eye on CGN as we live and advance our
vision!
EdD, MSN, FNP
Founding Dean, College of Graduate Nursing
2
Western University of Health Sciences
A Message from the President
WesternU’s College of Graduate Nursing (CGN) is a regional and national leader in educational excellence, a status underscored by its continually evolving academic
programming and its expanding commitment to community engagement and public health.
The College recently learned that it had received nearly $182,000 from the Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act, which was established to increase the number of
family nurse practitioners providing primary care services to Californians. The program encourages universities and primary care health professionals to provide health care in
medically underserved areas, and provides financial support to family practice residency, family nurse practitioner, physician assistant and registered nurse education
programs throughout California.
With a portion of these funds, the College will offer 10 student stipends of $10,000 each to support racial/ethnic or economically disadvantaged students from medically
underserved areas and rural, frontier and inner city areas with unmet needs. The remaining funds will be used to create a new position -- clinical partner outreach
coordinator – to develop clinical training sites for CGN students by connecting with community partners, hospitals and health systems in areas of unmet need.
This news came on the heels of more than $370,000 in support to the college granted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA), for the National Faculty Loan Program (NFLP). Funds from this award will be used to prepare nurse educators enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing
Practice (DNP) program.
CGN also has created a website, Cultivating Healthy Communities, to gather information from residents about safety, quality, affordability and access to health care, as well
as to improve the health of citizens. The College is inviting senior citizens, ages 65 and older, to help test the website by completing a survey about preventing falls in older
adults.
All of these efforts – and many more like them, which you’ll read about in this publication – reinforce CGN’s excellent standing in the nursing education community, and
highlight the College’s and the University’s commitment to serving its communities with compassion and technical expertise.
President’s Vision
Our goal for Western University of Health Sciences should be nothing short of greatness, and we must aim high for our institution to be considered the national treasure
that it deserves to be. At WesternU, aiming “too high” is considered a virtue, for it is in the setting of lofty goals and achieving them that great, sometimes unexpected,
things can be accomplished. Even if an original target is not attained, simply coming close can yield impressive results.
Yet building tomorrow’s greatness cannot depend upon practices that were honored in the past but are ill-fitted to the work of the present. For example, greatness in
teaching and learning can no longer be only about transmitting and acquiring information, as this is easily accomplished today through browsers and a WiFi connection.
Rather, greatness in teaching, learning, research, and clinical care can only be realized through fostering creative, bold, and even audacious ideas.
This is why our Strategic Plan must be grounded on new models and new ways of doing things that measurably enhance the quality of our educational programs, as well as
everything we do to surround and support those programs. What follows in this document are the foundations for our lofty aim
of advancing Western University of Health Sciences Toward the Future of Health.
Institutional Mission
WesternU is a graduate university of medical sciences that produces, in a humanistic tradition, health care
professionals and biomedical knowledge that will enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities.
Values
The people of WesternU are dedicated to caring as they pursue their educational, scholarly, patient care, and
public service activities. The University encourages diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration between
programs, students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The ideals of continuous quality improvement,
lifelong learning, long-term planning, fiscal strength, adaptability, and agility in the rapidly
changing worlds of health care and education are realized through innovation, teamwork,
and collaboration within the University, as well as with its network of academic
health centers and community partners.
Philip Pumerantz, PhD
President, Western University of Health Sciences
Excellence in Nursing | 2014
3
College of Graduate Nursing Philosophy
The Profession of Nursing
Professional nurses are autonomous in providing preventative care, population health management, and direct patientcentered care. Nurses strive to prevent illness and attain, maintain, and regain the health of patients, families, and
communities through multiple roles.
Health Care Systems
Improvement of quality of life and patient satisfaction serves as indicators of nursing excellence. At the same time,
health care cost containment must assure patient-centered care while providing an efficient and effective use of
resources.
Local and Global Communities
The CGN consists of individuals representing a variety of unique backgrounds and regions, providing the opportunity
to enrich one another as well as influence more local and global communities.
Nursing Education
Nursing education at the CGN is supported by eight pillars consisting of the four aspects of the Boyer Model of
Scholarship and the four core characteristics of our graduates, faculty, and staff.
CGN Core Characteristics
• Leadership: Nursing professionals must be
prepared to advance health care and lead reform.
Boyer Model of Scholarship
• Discovery: The pursuit of new knowledge through
research and creative activities.
• Innovation: The future of health care will require
new thinking and inter-professional collaboration to
create new systems of care.
• Integration: The connection of knowledge and
discovery into larger patterns and contexts.
• Collaboration: Achieving the best outcomes
requires working together in an inter- and intraprofessional collaborative effort.
• Compassion: Compassion is valuing the quality of
life for individuals, families, and communities.
• Application: The employment of disciplinary
expertise to results that can be shared and/or
evaluated by peers.
• Sharing knowledge: A dynamic process that
fosters creativity, independence, clinical reasoning,
and moral imagination.
Student-Centered Learning Environments
Student-centered learning environments position students to be actively engaged participants in safe and respectful
experiences.
4
Western University of Health Sciences
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Excellence in Nursing | 2014
5
ACAdEmiC ACHiEvEmENT AwArdS
Given to graduate nursing students who have demonstrated academic excellence
and leadership in nursing and are positive role models for future nurses.
Lauren initially received her Bachelor of Science
degree in Animal Science from California
Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
After six years of working as a Veterinary
Technician she felt something was missing, she
longed to use her talents to heal the emotional,
psychological, spiritual as well as the physical
wounds affecting human clients.
Throughout her many academic roads travelled,
Ms. Bakas has demonstrated academic
excellence and leadership in nursing and is
indeed a positive role model for future nurses.
Her Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley was in
Psychology but she found a calling to the
nursing profession and obtained her Associate’s
Degree in Nursing from Central New Mexico
Community College.
While working as a research associate in the Cancer
Immunotherapy and Tumor Immunology
Department at the City of Hope her vision of
Lauren Hoffman
humanistic patient care became clear. Reflecting
often on the City of Hope’s mission statement,
“There is no profit in curing the body, if in the process we destroy the soul,” she
decided that a career in nursing would not only satisfy her longing to heal, but
make a lasting contribution to the well-being of those entrusted to her care.
Driving issues in her practice created an interest
in public health and she once again returned to
Andrea Bakas
academia at UCLA to obtain her Master’s degree
in Public Health. She has stated, “Building on a
decade of nursing practice . . . the FNP track will allow me to serve my
community and to advocate for families. It will be an opportunity to serve as a
healer, teacher and leader.”
Having made the decision to modify her focus, she searched for a health science
university in southern California that shared her vision of humanistic care.
Exhaustive research has lead Lauren to WesternU and she entered Cohort X of the
MSN-E program with plans to complete the Family Nurse Practitioner program.
She is one of the top students in her class in the FNP track thus far and her
faculty are impressed with her ability to critically think and put the puzzle
pieces together. She is a positive role model for nurses now and will no doubt
be a positive role model for future nurses.
Lauren is an active member of the National Student Nursing Association and
volunteers in the Emergency Department at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical
Center every Tuesday evening. Upon graduation she plans to work in oncology
with a focus on research. Lauren is an enthusiastic, engaged, and committed
student who strives for academic and personal excellence. Her strong ethical and
moral sense will ensure that she is successful in all endeavors she undertakes.
Heather Bosma
Ms. Bosma has indeed demonstrated academic
excellence and leadership in nursing and is a
positive role model for future nurses. She completed
her BSN from Sonoma State University as a Summa
Cum Laude and was accepted into the Sigma Theta
Tau International Nursing Society upon graduation.
Early on, she focused her nursing career at a
children’s hospital and then as a school nurse upon
obtaining her MSN at CSU Bakersfield. Observing
health disparities in her young patients and their
families in her rural community of New Cuyama
motivated her to return to school to obtain her
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate to have a role
in correcting those disparities.
During her tenure in the FNP program, she has maintained the same degree of
academic excellence throughout her courses and her clinical rotations and will no
doubt carry this on to her community’s health upon graduation.
6
Western University of Health Sciences
Joann Han decided to pursue a doctoral degree in
nursing practice based on a strong desire to be
part of transforming and impacting health care
delivery and outcomes. Her background as a
Family Nurse Practitioner and as a Mentoring
and Professional Development Specialist at
Citrus Valley Health Partners inspired her desire
to help nurses successfully take up the role of
professional nurse. Joann’s practice dissertation
project, A Descriptive Analysis of a Reflective
Practice for Newly Licensed RNs in a Transitionto-Practice Program, seeks to close the
Joann Han
knowledge gap regarding the role that reflectionon-practice plays in shaping the practice
expertise, socialization, and retention of newly licensed RNs.
Throughout Joann’s doctoral coursework, she has consistently demonstrated
academic excellence, working full-time and being a full-time wife and mother to
her young children. She consistently maintains an unwavering positive attitude
in her interactions with faculty and colleagues and is a role model for others as
they develop throughout their careers.
PrimAry CArE AwArd
STudENT SErviCE APPrECiATioN AwArd
Given to a graduate nursing student for demonstrating
clinical excellence and dedication to primary care and
excellence in the clinical arena.
Given to a graduate nursing student who has gone above and beyond
in connecting the College of Graduate Nursing to the WesternU
community and future nursing students.
Ms. Medrano is an FNP student who
demonstrates clinical excellence and
dedication to primary care in the eyes of her
clinical faculty and her clinical preceptors and
mentors. She has stated that “the art of nursing
involves the fundamental elements of
compassion, dedication and service to others,
and from this I discovered my purpose in life.”
Her many years of emergency department
nursing laid the foundation for her Family
Nurse Practitioner clinical skills and health
care navigation. Observing that many of the
Anna medrano
health care issues that she saw in the
emergency setting resulted from her patients’
poor primary care understanding of their health issues and modifiable
behaviors. Proper self-management of chronic conditions, parental education
on their children’s health needs, and clear health promotion education like
smoking cessation and teen health issues are all at the heart of good primary
care. Ms. Medrano’s focus is to prevent emergency visits with strong primary
health care and to promote health as a primary goal of managing her patients.
She is a deserving candidate for the Primary Care Award.
Julia, a personable and dedicated student, has
embraced the role of the nurse with enthusiasm
and compassion. Julia was elected president of
the National Student Nurses Association by her
peers for the 2013-2014 school year. Under her
leadership students participated in activities
that have benefitted the local community and
schools. Examples of these activities include a
back pack drive, blanket drive, blood drive, a
myriad of health fairs, and participation in the
Read Across America project at one of the
local elementary schools. Summer projects will
Julia Healy
include health related activities with the local
Girl Scout Troop. Julia is accomplishing all of
this while keeping up with her school work and maintaining a high GPA. The
profession will benefit from Julia’s leadership abilities in the future.
CoLLEGE oF GrAduATE NurSiNG
ALumNi mEmoriAL AwArd
CoLLEGE oF GrAduATE NurSiNG
CommuNiTy ExCELLENCE AwArd
The Alumni Memorial Award is a lasting tribute that memorializes College
of Graduate Nursing graduates who are no longer with us. This award
symbolizes the spirit and value that each alumni brought to the profession.
Given to a graduate nursing student who has demonstrated
commitment and service within the student’s community.
Carol Chow
The College of Graduate Nursing is proud to
have chosen Carol Chow, MSN, RN for the
Alumni Memorial Award. As an alumna, Carol
is a living example of WesternU’s vision and
values; one who inspires confidence and trust
in those cared for as well as an example of the
type of health professional one might choose to
be, and the one where people say
“I want to be just like you, where did you go to
school?” As a member of the Charter class of
the MSNE program, Carol was known for her
academic excellence, personal integrity,
evidence-based patient centered care, and
gentleness. Carol leads by example. She is
confident, yet humble.
Carol has been working at Hoag Hospital since she became an RN. Along
with completing her MSN, she is a certified Oncology nurse. She has been
actively involved in many hospital committees to improve the quality of care.
She has been recognized by the Pacific Hospital Association and was named
nurse of the quarter at Hoag.
Becoming an advanced practice RN would allow Carol to better serve those
whose lives have been impacted by cancer. She returned to WesternU to
become a Family Nurse Practitioner because no other university demonstrated
their values daily and no other student experience would ever measure up to
the one she had at WesternU. “At WesternU, every student is supported every
step of the way. You’re not left floating out in the ocean; the faculty and staff
are really there for you”. Carol seizes every opportunity to encourage others
interested in becoming a health care professional to consider WesternU as
their first choice. Carol significantly contributes to the image of WesternU
within her professional practice, with her patients, their families, and other
healthcare professionals.
Michele Bunker-Alberts has spent most of her
adult life serving vulnerable populations in the
community as a clinician, leader, manager, and
educator, which she views as “vital linkages”
among the four roles. Prior to entering
nursing, she was a diesel mechanic and then a
community health outreach worker and health
educator. As a nurse, Michele worked in a
group home for incarcerated women who were
pregnant or parenting, and young women in
foster care. She also worked in AIDSOncology, and in labor/delivery/postpartum/
michele Bunker-Alberts
nursery. As a nurse practitioner for the past
nine years, her focus has been on maternal
child health at Alameda County Medical Center and as co-founder of the One
Love Center for Health in Oakland, a community-based clinic. Michele has
worked in several community clinics, coordinating a variety of programs
including Hepatitis C, breastfeeding management, a high-risk newborn clinic,
and a pediatric obesity/food justice intervention program. Michele has also
served vulnerable populations internationally, serving as a Cervical Cancer
Prevention Clinician/Instructor in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Peru. As
Lactation Coordinator at Alameda County Medical Center, Michele and the
instructors and students in her lactation program produced a You Tube video
on breastfeeding, Teach Me How to Breast Feed,
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ3QO-7h4YA), which quickly went
viral, an example of the best of evidence-based practice, where the patients
take what they have learned from the best evidence and use that new
knowledge to help teach others. Michele is a true clinical expert, leader,
advocate, and activist who is making an impact and improving health at the
community level.
Excellence in Nursing | 2014
7
PrimAry CdArE
EANA
’SwArd
AwArd
Given to a graduate
studentstudent
for demonstrating
Given to a nursing
graduate nursing
for leadership ability, academic
clinical excellence
and dedication
careand
and
excellence,
and serviceto
to primary
the University
community.
excellence in the clinical arena.
Each year the recipient for the Dean’s award is
selected by the Founding and current Dean for
the College of Graduate Nursing. This year the
2013-2014 honoree is Diane Pestolesi, a Doctor
of Nursing Practice student. Ms. Pestolesi
received her BSN from the University of Hawaii
and her MSN from California State University
Dominguez Hills. Diane received a scholarship
to the University of Hawaii as a volleyball
athlete. She feels that her participation in both
national and international championships
prepared her well to be successful in her
diane Pestolesi
educational programs and her career. She is very
proud of being a nominee for the Broderick
Award (best female athlete in college) in 1979.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in a National
Nursing Education Study recognizes her teaching excellence through her
teaching exemplar that was one of three cases featured in Education for Nurses:
A Call for Radical Transformation (Benner, Sutphen, Leonard, & Day2010). In
addition, in 2009 she received the President’s Award at Saddleback College for
Innovation and Leadership.
Diane’s accomplishments in the DNP Program have been at the highest level.
She is a leader, innovator, and scholar. She continues to strive for excellence in
all that she does. It is an honor to recognize this outstanding student.
PrESidENT’S SoCiETy AwArd
Presented to students in recognition of academic excellence,
financial need and service to the college.
At the outset of the FNP program, Mr. Yu
suffered a personal disaster that resulted in the
loss of his home and personal belongings. With
the help of his support circle and his personal
perseverance, he continued on toward his FNP
goals and more than that, has demonstrated
academic excellence along the way. He is a role
model and able to articulate the connection
between chronic illnesses like diabetes and
hypertension and the mind-body connection
through his earlier training in Oriental Medicine
and acupuncture. His understanding of the health
Samuel yu
issues from both Western and Eastern
perspectives gives his patients the best of both
worlds from a holistic approach, and gives the nursing profession an
outstanding care giver.
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ProFESSioNAL LEAdErSHiP AwArd
Given to a graduate nursing student who has shown positive leadership in health
policy, organizational leadership, research or community health care.
Tamara Sousa entered the College of Graduate
Nursing with high recommendations from her
supervisor and interprofessional colleagues as
an outstanding clinician, strong leader,
collaborative team professional, and passionate
patient advocate. She holds a leadership position
as Charge Nurse in Ambulatory Care at VA
Loma Linda Healthcare System. Tamara has
been described by faculty members and
preceptors as a natural and intuitive leader. “She
really knows the system, from the microsystem
and beyond. She understands the people within
Tamara Sousa
her system. She builds and maintains solid
relationships within her organization.” She has
enthusiastically used learning assignments in her Clinical Nurse Leader
coursework to lay the foundation and facilitate important changes within the
VA. One course project, which was implemented, included changes in the
placement of computers to improve documentation of family surveys. Tamara
exemplifies transformational leadership. She is aware of the system’s strengths
and knows the areas that need to be strengthened. She is adept at leveraging
relationships to provide the nudge necessary for change. She is able to see the
possibilities and knows how to make things happen. She is flexible and
adaptable. While there have been significant and disruptive changes in the
health care environment, these changes have not deterred Tamara from meeting
her goals. Tamara’s masters project focuses on CNL interventions to improve
chronic care management patient outcome data collection, cost effectiveness,
and improved employee satisfaction.
ExCELLENCE iN SCHoLArSHiP AwArd
Given to a graduate nursing student who demonstrates excellence in scholarly
writing, publication, dissertation or professional presentation.
The Excellence in Scholarship Award is given to
a student who demonstrates excellence in
scholarly writing, publication, dissertation or
professional presentation. This embodies Mr.
Eschweiler’s academic performance from his
first semester in the MSN/FNP/DNP program.
His background in Veteran’s health care
motivated his return to academia and has given
him a personal drive to improve the health care
services for veterans whom he says are
experiencing longer wait times and difficulty
accessing health care in the current federal
Eric Eschweiler
government arena. As a Family Nurse
Practitioner, he feels he will be on the forefront
of filling those health care deficits, while his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree
will give him the tools and understanding to improve the overall health of his
patients. His strong scholarly writing and ability to hone in on the heart of the
health care issue will contribute to a better understanding of the long-term
solutions.
vuLNErABLE PoPuLATioN SErviCE AwArdS
Given to graduate nursing students who have made a significant contribution in a field of health in an underserved area or vulnerable population.
Shelly de Peralta
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program was founded
on the identified need to improve health outcomes in
vulnerable populations through practice, leadership,
and dissemination of scholarship. As core values of the
program, each DNP student and project identifies an
important gap in health within a given vulnerable
population and begins the process of leadership in
improvement through practice and the experience
culminates through dissemination of the scholarly
findings. Shelly de Peralta, DNPc, MSN, ACNP, RN,
represents each of these core values and has been
selected as the Doctoral Student for this award.
Shelly frequently identifies multiple systems gaps in the coordination and delivery of
care to our nation’s veteran population; a population that may have limited resources,
physical injuries from active duty, or a population that may have greater mental
health needs. She serves as the coordinator of the inpatient performance measures and
as co-chair of the APRN review committee at one of the nation’s largest VA medical
centers. With each project that falls under her purview, Shelly enthusiastically gathers
the team and reminds all members that the veteran is at the center. Her leadership is
most evident in the problem-solving skills that she brings while working across many
inter-professional teams. Direct evidence of her influential role has been the
improvement of heart attack outcomes, throughput of patients in the emergency
department, reduction of health care acquired infections and more.
Shelly also holds the distinction of being the 100th DNP student admitted to
WesternU. Following completion of the program later this year, Shelly will continue
in her role improving the health of those men and women who proudly gave so much
for this nation.
Ms. Tran has worked as an RN in the Las Vegas,
Nevada area clinics and hospitals and feels she can
contribute to the region’s vulnerable population by
furthering her education as an Advanced Practice
Nurse.
“As a nurse, I am also leader, teacher, advocate,
caregiver, and a resource person. I want to be there to
listen, support, empathize, nurture and provide
competent care . . .” She wants to continue working
with the underserved and focus on health promotion
and disease prevention through basic services in
Tristan Tran
primary care and prenatal care. There is no doubt that
Tristan will have an impact on her community and will
dedicate herself to the well being of her patients regardless of their gender, race,
cultural background, or socioeconomic status.
Kyle martin
Kyle Martin was recognized by the Board of Directors
of the American Assembly for Men in Nursing
Foundation in September of this year. He was selected
as the recipient of the 2013 Graduate Student
Foundation Scholarship and was honored at the 38th
annual conference for Men in Nursing. Kyle was
selected because of the commitment and passion that
he demonstrates for the field of nursing and his
continued dedication to the support of men in nursing.
Kyle was the founding President of Men in Nursing
for the College of Graduate Nursing chapter at
WesternU.
Ms. Cohen has made it her career goal to work
with the vulnerable in the primary care setting.
She explains “to improve the health of my
patients through preventive services and
education. Excellent health results from
proactive measures that consider the whole
person . . . nutrition, exercise, sleep, and
tobacco/alcohol cessation . . . yet how often are
these topics broached in any depth in most health
care settings?”
Katherine came to our program already
possessing the skills and passions of a great
educator and will no doubt use those tools to
educate her patients in good healthcare and disease prevention through public
education, awareness and advocacy. Her desires to reach those most in need will
serve to improve the health care outcomes of her community. Katherine will be
well positioned to focus on her patients’ primary care needs upon graduation.
Katherine Cohen
With his father and grandfather as his role
models, Ryan has been involved with serving
the community for many years. He comes from
a family of health care providers who serve
some of the most vulnerable communities. His
grandfather was involved with Indian health
services and his father was a physician for years
in an Eskimo village in Alaska. While attending
USC as an undergraduate, Ryan volunteered in
the Venice Family Health Clinic, a health
facility that mostly serves the homeless and
underinsured. He was active in serving the
ryan Shimizu
Asian American Drug Abuse Program in the
Los Angeles area. These experiences
strengthened his perspective on the importance of advocating for patients and
the need to utilize health promotion strategies to maintain the wellness of the
community.
Ryan will always find time to volunteer as he continues his graduate program
at WesternU. As the current president of Men in Nursing (MIN), one of his
main foci is to promote and encourage student participation in community
events. He collaborates with different professors, community and student
organizations in planning and implementing programs to address the needs of
the surrounding communities. With his leadership, MIN is actively involved in
sustaining a community garden in the Laurel Apartments, a transition housing
unit in the City of Pomona. In addition, he assists in providing programs
representative of interests and concerns to nursing students.
His leadership, psychosocial experience, and obvious passion to serve the
community and vulnerable populations are what make Ryan stand out as a
nursing student and deserving of this award.
Excellence in Nursing | 2014
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A trailblazer in many facets of her life, Bobbie Stahl knows firsthand the
value of leadership and has generously funded an award again this year.
Bobbie was raised in Los Angeles and started her working career as a
professional saxophonist after graduating from the Hollywood
Conservatory of Music. She played in the big bands of the 1940s and
also acted in movies of that era. Her career path changed after she met
and married Dr. William Stahl, now deceased, who was then a young
osteopathic medical student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Los Angeles. It was this time that Bobbie decided to go back to school at
the Methodist Hospital of Los Angeles to become a registered nurse.
The couple planned to provide healthcare as medical missionaries after
both had graduated, however, circumstances changed and they instead
settled in Pomona. Here the Stahls built the Garfield Cottage Hospital
and Clinic where Bobbie served as administrator. Under her guidance the
hospital achieved Joint Commission and California Medical Association
accreditation.
Among Bobbie’s other numerous accomplishments and areas of service
are: founded and served on the board of the nurses association in
Pomona; a BS and teaching credential from the University of La Verne;
an instructor at San Antonio, Chaffey, and San Bernardino Valley
colleges; an early president and member of the board of trustees of the
United Hospital Association; president of the California Osteopathic
Auxiliary; Pomona Woman of the Year; trustee of Azusa Pacific
University; and, most importantly, member of the WesternU Founders
Committee and recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1995.
Given to a College of Graduate Nursing student who exemplifies
leadership and compassionate caring.
Bobbie Stahl
At the beginning of her journey in the MSN/FNP/DNP program, Ms. Dubon-Kim
saw the successful accomplishment of her education and created a pathway for
herself that was a personal challenge. She proposed and launched a successful
program at her hospital for donor breast milk for very low birth weight infants to
improve their health outcomes. Her hope is to expand this project to others and
promote this avenue for future vulnerable infants. And now, as she is completing a
three year FNP certification and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree journey, she
reflects back on the experience:
“I feel that this has been a long and educational journey that has lead me to reach
potentials I did not realize I had. I now know that as an LVN, I was standing at the
foot of the same mountain where I am now standing at the final clearing before the
summit. Yet, it is my hope to continue to grow and learn throughout my nursing
career.”
Juanita dubon-Kim
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As a Family Nurse Practitioner with a DNP degree, she does indeed exemplify
leadership and compassionate caring.
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A TriBuTE To CAriNG
AdmiSSioNS SCHoLArSHiPS
A Tribute to Caring is an annual fundraising event held
by WesternU, which allows each college the opportunity
to award funds to deserving applicants to help offset
some of their tuition costs as they enter the health
professions at WesternU.
Velia was used to working full time while continuing to maintain high standards in
her undergraduate education. Her grades were high and her goals in life were well
focused on a career in nursing. With her previous experience as an EMT, she came
to us with a full understanding of where she was going and what it would take to get
there. While working full-time she still managed to graduate with her BA in
Behavioral Science with high marks.
The College of Graduate Nursing selected her for the A Tribute to Caring
Scholarship for her academic excellence and her strong compassion for her
community. Her drive will carry her forward and her compassion will continue to
open doors. We look forward to being a part of her success.
velia Bustamante
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 11
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roy G. ANd mArioN i. KrAmEr
SCHoLArSHiP FuNd AwArd
Roy and Marion Kramer are among the earliest supporters of WesternU. Roy was a
member of the Board of Trustees until shortly before his death in 1999 and together the
couple served on the founders Committee of the University’s charter college, College
of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) for many years.
A nurse by training and a lifetime of service to others, Marion never fails to send in an
annual check in support of the scholarship fund she designated to help a deserving
College of Graduate Nursing student in 2004. The Kramers also created a generous
endowment to aid medical students and physical therapy students in 1992.
Marion’s nursing students reflect the evolution of the profession and the educational
process. She began as a nurse’s aide at Covina Hospital while still in high school. Her
formal coursework began at Citrus Junior College with her nurse’s training beginning
at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange in what was to be their last nursing class. The
hospital program, however, was discontinued midterm requiring the class to transfer to
another program and Marion selected nearby Queen of Angels Hospital in Los
Angeles. This program required an entrance exam, so the students had to cram in test
preparation along with remaining current in the courses.
roy G. and marion i. Kramer
Throughout this trying time, Marion could rely on the steadfast support of her mother,
Vivian Felski Wilson, who had been a Red Cross Nurse in World War I. But chronic
asthma would soon reverse their roles. Due to the shortage of nurses after World War
II, Marion was appointed as a special duty nurse at St. Joseph’s to comfort her mother
during her final struggle with the disease.
The College of Graduate Nursing proudly recognized Marion’s many contributions to
the profession and the community at the 10th Anniversary celebration held in 2007.
Today we continue to treasure our friendship with this remarkable woman.
Given to a graduate nursing student for academic achievement, community service,
and financial need.
“Thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become our character,
and our character becomes our destiny.” (James C. Hunter)
Manuel Sibrian has thought about serving his community since his early teen years.
His father and three brothers encouraged him to join the Boy Scouts as a way of
being connected to the community. Manuel turned those early thoughts into action
as he earned the honorable Order of the Arrow as an Eagle Scout, an
accomplishment that only 7% of Scouts achieve nationally. The Order emboldens
young men to crystallize the habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in
cheerful service to others. Manuel developed his leadership skills at a young age as
he was elected by his peers to be Chief of his Order of the Arrow council.
manuel Sibrian
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Western University of Health Sciences
Manuel’s habit of leadership and service continued past being an Eagle Scout as he
joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department as an Explorer for several years.
He exemplified servant leadership as he was voted Explorer of the Year in 2007 and
participated in programs emphasizing Seatbelt Safety and Earthquake
Preparedness.
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EAST wEST BANK SCHoLArSHiP
AwArd
WesternU students in graduate nursing, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy,
physical therapy, physician assistant, optometry, podiatric medicine, dental
medicine and veterinary medicine. Applicants from all ethnic backgrounds
are selected based on academic excellence, community service and financial
need.
This event expands each year, with more than 200 friends of the University
continuing to guarantee scholarship support to a diverse group of health care
students at WesternU. Annually, physicians, pharmacists, community leaders
and business associates representing many parts of the Inland Empire and the
San Gabriel Valley attend this event.
To date, more than 220 WesternU students have received awards totaling in
excess of $265,000. Past scholarship recipients have gone on to become
respected health care professionals, often pursuing their careers in
underserved and economically disadvantaged areas.
The mission of the East West Scholarship committee is to provide support in
helping our students become competent and compassionate health care
professionals and stewards of our communities.
Julia Yamaguchi has a long standing passion to work with children in the
community setting. As an undergraduate at UC Davis, Julia spent three months
volunteering at an orphanage in Japan where she interacted with the children,
teaching them conversational English and expanding their awareness of the world.
She also spent a year volunteering at Childrens’ Hospital of Orange County as a
patient hospitality volunteer, where she further developed her passion for pediatrics.
Julia currently is involved with the Shauna Ann Stuewe Foundation, named after a
classmate of Julia’s who died of a cardiac arrest during high school cheer practice.
Julia has been working with the Foundation to raise awareness of sudden cardiac
arrest and campaigning to place Automatic External Defibrillators on every high
school campus and sports facility.
Julia yamaguchi
As a student at Western University of Health Sciences Julia has been involved with
outreach events, and she plans to participate in more. In her future career as a
Registered Nurse Julia is committed to working with children in the community, and
particularly with children with special needs.
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 13
Spring 2013
Fall 2013
• Associate degree to master of Science in Nursing
Marci Cabral
Andreas Glas
Lindsay Harris
Jennifer Hernandez
Anna Medrano
Huiping Zhong
• Associate degree to master of Science in Nursing
Andrea Bakas
Marci Cabral
January Hernandez
Rachael Maldonado
Anna Medrano
Mary Mullen
Jullie Simbre
Surbhi Udeshi
• doctor of Nursing Practice
Melissa Cebedo
Lorna Diaz
Diane Pestolesi
Shelly de Peralta
JoAnn Han
• Post-masters Family Nurse Practitioner
Jordana McDonald
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Pre-Licensure
Stephanie Cohen
Sherry Endo
Deeba Kazempoor
Lindsay Mills
Alyssa Salas
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Ambulatory Care
Kirsten Andersson
Kristin Boone
Andres Castillo
Katherine Cohen
Justin De Gelia
Eilene Dela Cruz
Katherine Depoian
Tedayshia Garcia
Eva Hansson
Deann Helton
Tanya Hoang
Dymphna Mallari
Elizabeth Marfazelian
Erin Martin
Debora Nagy
Nhatminh Nguyen
Tuquynh Nguyen
Brandi Parr
Quoc Pham
Veronica Rosales-Herrera
Cara Schoeman
Elizabeth Thompson
Angeline Ulanday
Shawn Yamamoto
Joy Yilpet
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Clinical Nurse Leader
Doanna Thach
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Family Nurse Practitioner
Jennifer Edquist
Steven Ito
Teresa Louie
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Administrative Nurse Leader
Nicole Tse
• master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
Freddielyn Pascual
Summer 2013
• Associate degree to master of Science in Nursing
Marci Cabral
Nicholas Garcia
Lindsay Harris
Phuong Nguyen
Huiping Zhong
• doctor of Nursing Practice
Shelly de Peralta
Hernani Ledesma
Diane Pestolesi
JoAnn Han
Sandra Moreno
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Pre-Licensure
Sherry Endo
Kathleen Mai
Holly Matheny
Lindsay Mills
Shelbi Smith
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Ambulatory Care
Katherine Cohen
Katherine Depoian
Deann Helton
Erin Martin
Andrea Tizano
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Clinical Nurse Leader
Doanna Thach
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Family Nurse Practitioner
Thi Bui
Jennifer Edquist
Steven Ito
Jennifer Munson
Tracey Schaper
master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
Beverly Kalena Lanuza
Manuela Ziegler
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• doctor of Nursing Practice
Shelly de Peralta
Deanna Flanagan
Barbara Huggins
Rana Jaber
Diane Pestolesi
Wendi Swanson
Bonnie Denholm
JoAnn Han
Mary Isichei
Sandra Moreno
Lisa Ponsford
• Post-masters Family Nurse Practitioner
Heather Bosma
Carol Chow
Jason Torres
Carmela Trinidad
Helen Van
Amanda Vo
• master of Science in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader
Tamara Sousa
• master of Science in Nursing, Administrative Nurse Leader
Sunny Bartholomew
Grace Pambakian
• master of Science in Nursing, Ambulatory Care
Anne Kristine Madrinan
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Pre-Licensure
Matthew Griego
Hien Ho
Lauren Hoffman
Chan Luc
Elizabeth Montgomery
Nicole Pereira
Heather Sipin
Michelle Torres
Julia Yamaguchi
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Ambulatory Care
Kristen Andersson
Kristine Armosilla
Erin Chambers
Tiffany Chan
Margie Chilin
Katherine Cohen
Stephanie Cohen
Elizabeth Cole
Steven Do
Linda Fonju
Nancy Frechette
Eva Hansson
Deann Helton
Kayla Monique Hernandez
Casee Kelly
Noosha King
Donna Lagda
Melissa Manikis
Erin Martin
Nhatminh Nguyen
Brandi Parr
Veronica Rosales-Herrera
Krystal Sandquist
Cara Schoeman
Jazmine Scott
Sharlee Stone
Nicole Vaccarello
Nancy West
Heather Windsor
Diana Wohlt
Shawn Yamamoto
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Clinical Nurse Leader
Sherry Endo
Belinda Leos
Kathleen Mai
Lindsay Mills
Arrand Northrop
Tara Ploof
Shelbi Smith
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Family Nurse Practitioner
Thi Bui
Steven Ito
Elizabeth Marfazelian
Jennifer Rigling
Jenny Vong
• master of Science in Nursing Entry – Administrative Nurse Leader
Nicole Tse
• master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
Christine Dang
Sydney Hendricks
Michelle Kerouac
Freddielyn Pascual
Carl Smith
Kathleen Kaye Tobias
Debbie Welch
• master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, doctor of Nursing Practice
Eric Eschweiler
Christine Garrison
Julie Perkins
The College of Graduate Nursing and Western University of Health
Sciences are delighted to announce that the names of the following
students have been submitted to the Who’s Who Among Students in
American Universities and Colleges for the 2013-2014 academic year.
marci Cabral
Katherine Cohen
Stephanie Cornett
Eric Eschweiler
Beverly Kalena Lanuza
Belinda Leos
Erin martin
Kyle martin
Freddielyn Pascual
diane Pestolesi
Jennifer rigling
Andrea Tizano
manuela Ziegler
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 15
Alumni Spotlight
LaSonya Davis, DNP, NP
western university of Health Sciences
doctor of Nursing Practice
Class of ’13
Fresno State university
BSN, mSN, NP
Class of ’95, ’02 and ’04
LaSonya Davis, DNP, NP views herself as a lifelong learner
who brings a passion for learning to both her clinical practice as
a nurse practitioner and to her academic practice as a tenuretrack professor at California State University, Channel Islands
(CSU-CI). As nurse practitioner, her practice focuses on the
care of diverse populations and specifically primary prevention
in ethnic minorities in Oxnard, a city with the lowest average
income in Ventura County
and a high proportion of
African American and
Hispanic residents. In her
faculty position at CSUCI, administrative leaders
have lauded her for the
knowledge and skills that
she obtained through her
DNP education. She has
been a role model at her
school of nursing incorporating teaching, service and
scholarship as an integral part of her new faculty role.
Dr. Jan Boller spoke with LaSonya Davis regarding her
experiences as a WesternU student and her current practice as a
DNP.
How do you feel your education has influenced your practice
and career?
Education has guided my practice and has afforded me the
opportunity to understand that evidence-based practice is the
way clinical practice should be based. As a family nurse
practitioner, with over 15 years of clinical experience including
assessment and management of individuals with heart disease,
I was able to utilize my knowledge and skills from clinical
practice and coursework in the DNP program including
leadership, evidence-based practice, and improving population
outcomes to develop and implement an educational program for
the community.
Please tell us about your dissertation project.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant problem in the
U.S. Heart disease is the number one killer for all Americans.
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Western University of Health Sciences
Health disparity in ethnic
minority groups has been an
interest of mine since my own
personal encounter with open
heart surgery and aortic
aneurysm repair at age 39. As a
nurse practitioner (and African
American) it was difficult for
me to ignore the disparity in
cardiovascular and
cardiovascular-related risk
factors in the African American
population. My personal experience, coupled with the
cardiovascular disease rates overall and disparities in the
treatment and overall outcomes among African Americans, led
me to look at evidence-based projects that can be implemented
into community settings focusing on primary prevention. As a
doctoral student at Western University of Health Sciences, I
focused on a project that utilized evidence-based strategies to
incorporate a primary prevention program in a community
setting to educate African Americans on measures to reduce
risk of cardio-vascular disease and to improve their selfefficacy in incorporating these measures.
This project was accepted and presented as a poster
presentation at the 2013 Fourth National DNP Conference in
Phoenix Arizona in September. It was also accepted for the
Fourth International Conference of Health, Wellness and
Society in Vancouver, Canada, March 14-15, 2013. A
manuscript of this project has also been requested by the
International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society - a
companion of the Health, Wellness and Society. The completion
of the manuscript is currently in progress with mentorship from
the DNP faculty at WesternU. I am now expanding the program
from six weeks to 12 weeks and am looking for funding to start
a church-based clinic.
How has your personal experience as a patient with cardiac
disease influenced how you teach patients and their families?
When I’m talking with patients, I share my story and it brings it
to life for them. They think “If it’s hard for her and she’s doing
it, I can do it too.” When I tell my story, they pay attention. You
can see it in their eyes and they listen. So the curse of heart
disease has turned into a blessing.
I am very grateful and thankful that my family and church
community have been supportive. I am excited to make changes
and see positive outcomes.
Alumni Spotlight
Pam Owenby, RN, MSN, FNP-C
western university of Health Sciences
master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
Class of ’13
university of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science in Health Administration
Class of ’09
Pamela Owenby grew
up in Knoxville,
Tennessee the
youngest of three
siblings. Coming
from a military
family, she joined the
Army at age 17 which
was a natural
progression after
graduating from high
school. She spent 20
years in the military
where she worked in
a variety of
occupations including
logistics, administration, recruitment, communications and
operations. Although she never had the opportunity to work in
healthcare, the military lifestyle instilled teamwork,
camaraderie, loyalty, and a desire to help others. The military
also enabled her to work and live with a very diverse
population. These attributes contributed to her desire to become
a family nurse practitioner (FNP).
Although she had been interested in health care as a profession,
it was not until her father suffered two aneurisms in 2000 that
she decided on nursing as a career. As she sat day after day in
the ICU waiting room, she noticed the difference a quality
nurse can make in not only the patient’s life, but also in the
lives of the patient’s family. Pam recalls one particular ICU
nurse, who was fighting cancer herself, who made such a
positive impact on her life during such a horrible time. This
experience, combined with her early military lifestyle and
experience, gave her the confidence to become a nurse and
emulate the compassion and professionalism she witnessed in
the nurses around her. Helping others during the darkest hours
gives a deep meaning to a life lived in service and compassion.
After retiring from the military and while finishing her BS in
Health Administration at University of Phoenix, she began
researching schools
and learned about
Western University
of Health Sciences’
MSN-E program.
At her first
encounter during
the Information
Session day, she
was immediately
impressed by the
staff and the
philosophy of
patient care and
studentcenteredness, a
tough curriculum
and knowing each
student as an
individual and not
just as another
number. She knew
this was the school
she wanted to
attend and knew she
wanted to become an FNP.
After completing the MSN-E program in 2010, she returned to
her roots of military service by working at the Veteran
Administration Hospital in Los Angeles until finishing her
Master’s in 2012. With the support of family, friends and the
CGN staff, she reached her objective of completing the FNP
program graduating in the class of 2013.
With the skills and critical thinking she developed under
Dr. Diana Lithgow, her preceptor and mentor, she applied for
and was hired into a position as the first full-time FNP to work
at Western University of Health Sciences’ Patient Care Center
(PCC). She states, “The staff is wonderful and very supportive
of the FNP role and I am happy and honored to be working
here. After graduation, my immediate goal was to work in
family practice so I could solidify my skills. The patient
population at PCC is perfect for this.” Her goal is to expand the
NP role in the PCC and network in interprofessional
educational experiences to improve the patient care delivery
services.
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 17
Alumni Spotlight
Johnis Saczynski , RN, MSN, CMCN
western university of Health Sciences
masters of Science in Nursing - Administrative Nurse Leader
Class of ’12
Central Arizona College
Associate degree in Nursing
Class of ’84
Johnis Saczynski is a 2012 MSN graduate of the College of
Graduate Nursing with a specialty focus as Administrative
Nurse Leader. In the summer of 2013, Johnis returned to the
CGN to teach as an adjunct faculty member in the Advanced
Health Systems course, which focuses on teaching students to
lead health systems improvement projects around patient safety
and quality. Her
master’s project
was to develop a
proposal for a
Care Transitions
program to reduce
hospital
readmissions in
high risk
Medicare
populations. It
included
identifying those
individuals at high
risk for admission
and proposing
solutions to help
the individuals
remain at home
and receive the
care needed to
avoid a
readmission.
Johnis has been an exemplary student, alumni, and role model
for nurse leaders who are redesigning health care to meet the
complex needs of our most vulnerable patient populations.
Johnis was asked to share some perspectives about being a
nurse leader in today’s complex health environment and reflect
on how her education has prepared her for her current
leadership responsibilities.
Dr. Jan Boller spoke with Johnis Saczynski regarding her
experiences as a WesternU student and her practice as a
Master’s prepared nurse.
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Western University of Health Sciences
Describe your current role and work setting. What patient
populations do you serve?
I am presently Director of Utilization Management for
Outpatient Services for a managed care organization that deals
primarily with Medi-Cal eligible enrollees in the San
Bernardino and Riverside Counties. We have a smaller
population of Dual Eligible (Medicare/Medi-Cal) enrollees as
well. We have been greatly impacted by the Medi-Cal
expansion initiative over the last few months, as this has
resulted in significant growth for the company (we have more
than 700,000 members to date). Many of these individuals may
not have had access to routine and/or preventative care prior to
enrolling with our health plan, so there are a number of them
that have medical issues that were previously untreated or only
received treatment from emergency room care.
How have you been able to apply what you learned in the
MSN program as an alumna?
I apply the knowledge I obtained in the MSN program in so
many ways in my work: the ability to research issues and
present data in an understandable format to the Chief Officers,
my peers, and my team, and the ability to create alignment with
the management staff and the nurses and coordinators in our
department is vital to meeting our goals and avoiding delays in
care for our members. Also, the ability to work with an
interdisciplinary team becomes necessary when coordinating
with other departments (Care Management, Behavioral Health,
Provider Services, Contracting, Claims, Member Services)
within the company to ensure the member is able to get the
needed care as well as from entities outside of our organization.
For instance, with the Medi-Cal expansion we have had to work
closely with the county clinics to make sure there is continuity
of care with the patients they were seeing before the patient
became part of managed care. Our organization’s focus is on
the member’s health
care, and in order to
make that our
priority we have to
be able to work with
other disciplines as
well as with the
member.
Additionally, there
are many legislative
changes that have
taken affect, and
more to come. The
ability to adapt
quickly to these
changes is key on an
individual level as
well as on the
organizational level.
I think my Master’s
preparation has
enabled me to understand the changes and communicate these
to the team with which I work in a way that helps them
understand and adapt as well.
You were in the second WesternU ADN-MSN cohort. How
was that for you and what advice do you have for others who
are considering pursuing further education? Why did you
select MSN and not BSN?
I was very excited to be a part of this cohort. I developed
relationships with peers that became a support network as we
navigated through the program together, and we have kept in
touch since then. I believe in lifelong learning, so my advice to
others would be to pursue their education regardless of their age
or the obstacles they may encounter. Everyone encounters
obstacles in their lives. Don’t let the obstacles determine your
future. Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said, “It’s your reaction to
adversity, not the adversity
itself, which determines
how your life’s story will
develop.”
I selected the MSN
program and the Health
Systems Leadership/
Administrative Nurse
Leader track because I
knew I wanted to continue
my nursing career in the
managed care arena.
I believe the Master’s
program helps me be
better prepared to meet the
changes that lie ahead.
When people find out
I work in managed care,
I am sometimes asked
why I left nursing. I never
left the nursing field. I am applying my nursing knowledge
every day in my job, just in a different way and my work
touches thousands of lives. Whether it is discussing a referral
for health care services with one of our physicians, or
reviewing reports, I am still using my knowledge as a nurse,
and the Master’s program has helped me take that knowledge to
a higher level. I find satisfaction in knowing we are helping a
vulnerable population of patients receive the care they need.
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 19
Dissertation Spotlight
Andrelyn Almario, dNP
An Improved Tuberculosis Screening for Foreign-Born Immigrants:
A Levine’s Conservation Model Approach
Catherine Azubuike, dNP
Health Seeking Behaviors of Immigrant Nigerian Men
Jennifer Ballard-Hernandez, dNP
The Application of Palliative Care in Chronic Heart Failure: A DNP Project
Jessica Beattie, dNP
Telepsychiatry Services for Rural College Students:
A Pilot Project for Implementation
Suzette Bosveld, dNP
The Effects Nurses’ Attitudes, Beliefs and Knowledge of
Pain Management have on Achieving Control of Pain in
Patients with Acute Chronic Pain in the Acute Care Setting
wayne Boyer, dNP
Nurse Practitioner’s Attitudes Towards Homosexuality
Cora Caballero, dNP
Effect of a Group Medical Appointment of
Glycemic Control of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Pat Callard, dNP
Interprofessional Collaboration and Team Work
in Health Professions Students
Christine Chandler, dNP
Knowledge and Information Sources about Menopause
of Hispanic Women Between the Ages of 20 Years and 55 Years
Sabrina Chimienti, dNP
An Assessment of the Quality of Life
of Parents of Down Syndrome Children
Casey Cole, dNP
A Reinvestigation of Sero-Conversion Rates
in Hepatitis B Vaccinated Individuals: A Pilot Study
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Western University of Health Sciences
LaSonya davis, dNP
The Effects of Cardiovascular Education on Knowledge and Perceptions of Self-Efficacy to
Implement Behavior Change Among African Americans in a Church Setting
Jocylane dinsay, dNP
DNP Project: A Feasibility and Cost Analysis on a
Nurse Practitioner Managed Endoscopy Service
Frances dunniway, dNP
An Exploratory Study to Shape
a Disaster Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice
Tina Escobedo, dNP
The Identification of Factors that Contribute to a
Meaningful Clinical Experience for the Family Nurse Practitioner Student
Sylvia Estrada, dNP
Systematic Review of Acceptability and
Feasibility of the Use of Computer Driven Assessment
for Psychosocial Needs of Adult Cancer Patients
michael Faraci, dNP
The Effects of High-Fidelity Simulation on Nurses’
Self-Efficacy to Perform Pediatric Life Support
in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Linda Goldman, dNP
A Multifaceted Approach to Improving
Breastfeeding Rates in Los Angeles County
Terrance ito, dNP
Portfolio: Implementing Pneumonia Care
Improvement Process at a Los Angeles County Hospital
Louann Janicki, dNP
A Community of Practice: Utilizing Nurse Practitioners to Improve
Primary Care Access to Marginalized Individuals with HIV/Hepatitis C
Susan Jetton (Nelson), dNP
Student-Led High-Risk Scenarios:
An Evaluation of an Innovative Teaching Project
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 21
Jose John, dNP
Case Study of Congestive Heart Failure, Home Health and Hospital Readmission
Amritpal Kamboj, dNP
Nurse Residency: An Answer to Improve New Graduate Nurse Competency
Candace malson, dNP
Nurse Practitioners Satisfaction
with Electronic Medical Records
Tamra maurizi, dNP
Policy Change: Applying Skin-to-Skin Approaches and
Enhancing Early Initiation of Breastfeeding for Women
Having Cesarean Section Deliveries While in the Recovery Period
Patti mcCluskey-Andre, dNP
A Nurse Practitioner’s Collaborative Role in the Prevention, Monitoring and
Treatment of the Cardiometabolic Effects of Second Generation Antipsychotic
Medications in a Vulnerable Population
Gina Nguyen, dNP
A Modified Flushing Protocol to Maintain Patency of the SOLO
Peripheral Inserted Central Catheter with Vancomycin Infusion:
A Proposal for a Practice Dissertation Portfolio
Ezije Ebele onyeachonam, dNP
Adherence to Heart Failure Self-Care Among Hispanic Population
in a Southern California Private Cardiology
Kathleen rindahl, dNP
Clinical Practice Change:
Increase School Nurses Awareness and Ability to Screen for Eating Disorders
LuAnn Sanderson, dNP
Improving Civility in the Mental Health Nursing Workplace
Through Assertiveness Training with Role-Play
22
Western University of Health Sciences
mitchelle wade Schroader, dNP
Portfolio: Prevention of Osteoporosis in Estrogen-Sensitive
Breast Cancer Post-Menopausal Women Receiving Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy
richard Staggs, dNP
Risk Awareness of Ultraviolet Exposure in Youth: A Practice Dissertation Portfolio
Priscilla Taylor, dNP
Improving Self-management/Efficacy of Foot Care Among Homeless Men:
A DNP Case Study Project
Jamie vik, dNP
Improving Patient-Focused Customer Service Through Simulation
rosalie villora, dNP
Integrative Review of the Current Educational Strategies for Teaching
Pediatric Nursing in the Pre-Licensure Nursing Program
Carolyn washington, dNP
The Effect of a Skills Laboratory Course Utilizing Simulation on Knowledge
Acquisition Among First Semester Students in an Associate Degree Nursing Program:
A Pilot Study
Nina wells, dNP
Portfolio: Procedural Sedation in the Acute Care Setting:
Who, What, Where, When, How & Standard of Care Goals
Lindsay young, dNP
Clinical Practice Change: Rapid Medical Exam (RME) in Emergency
Department at Centinel Hospital Medical Center
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 23
mSN-E Pinning Ceremony
Many schools of nursing across the country no
longer hold pinning ceremonies, claiming that
pinning is an out dated ritual that is no longer
necessary. Here at CGN, however, we feel that the
symbolic nature of the pinning ceremony remains
highly significant. The ceremony is more than
simply acknowledging the students as they enter
into the profession and
it is more than just an
opportunity to
acknowledge the
students’
accomplishments over
the past four semesters.
Rather, the ceremony is
a lasting tribute in
honor of those millions
of nurses who came
before us and for those
that will follow.
Getting through the rigors of the pre-licensure
section of the Masters of Nursing program is not
an easy task. At the 2014 pinning ceremony
Assistant Professor Tuason, RN, FNP-BC likened it
to climbing a mountain and talked about the
strength needed to make it to the top.
“It’s tiring, you want to
turn around
and come back down because that would be
so much easier, but you
keep pushing
yourself to reach the peak as you know that
it will be
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Western University of Health Sciences
beautiful up there.”
The pinning ceremony gives students a chance to
look back, to acknowledge the small
accomplishments and the large, because the
smallest of accomplishments contributes to the
building of a foundation for something even bigger.
As we reflect on the history of nursing, it’s hard to
forget about those who came before us and how
the profession of nursing started. With its earliest
roots in the military, closely followed through roots
in religious organizations, nursing has grown into
one of the most important healthcare professions in
the world. The pinning of a new nurse represents
the impact the individual will have on healthcare
and in their communities at large.
The pinning ceremony is symbolic. It’s a
reminder of the climb, with the nursing lamp
lighting the way. It’s a reminder to carry forward
the values, goals and knowledge passed down
from all of the nursing “Sherpa’s” that have
climbed the mountain before and laid the path
for nurses to reach the highest peak.
“Once you
reach the peak it
will be worth it…once you reach the peak…
take a moment and enjoy the
beauty and then climb again…never go
“is is not the end of the climb; this is
simply a quick stop. In
the journey of
nursing there is no downhill…you shouldn’t
down…
always reach for the
higher peak…”
go downhill…you should continue to climb to
reach the next peak…because
it will be simply more beautiful when you
reach the
higher peak and even
more rewarding.”
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 25
DNP Mentor of the Year
Cecelia Crawford, DNP, RN
D
r. Crawford provided me with an amazing clinical experience.
She is undisputedly an expert in nursing research and
evidence-based practice. Dr. Crawford is visibly passionate
about her work and freely shared her knowledge and expertise. Most
importantly, I believe she took a deep, personal, and genuine interest
in my progress and success.
Dr. Crawford formally assessed the needs and expectations from both
sides by utilizing a screening questionnaire. This was a very useful
tool that helped me to develop a plan for success in my coursework
and optimized my clinical experience. Her willingness to share and
help others was evidenced by her providing this tool, as a resource, to
all of the DNP students at Western University of Health Sciences. In
addition, her devotion to mentoring DNP students was confirmed by
her organized, professional, and flawless presentation to the DNP
8030 class on Seminar weekend.
Dr. Crawford stretched my capacity and belief in myself. She was
insightful and provided the exact amount of guidance I needed. She
understood my limitations, yet challenged me whenever possible.
When I expressed self-doubt, she encouraged me and supported me.
I felt uplifted when she refused to hear me say that I didn’t feel
equipped to perform a particular skill. She promptly stated, “You
know more than you think. I know you can do it.” Her assertion and
confidence in me was transformational. Having been a doctoral
student at WesternU herself, she truly understood the challenges I faced
and the rigors and commitment necessary for success in the program. She was the perfect mix
of personal and professional. I enjoyed her passion for running and cheered her on, as I am an
ex-runner myself. She always listened attentively to my concerns, served as a sounding board
when I needed it, and gave great advice.
Dr. Crawford always had my success in mind, made herself available, and went beyond what
was expected of her by sharing and sending useful information, articles, and tools my way.
I would only hope that every student pursuing his or her doctoral degree in nursing has a
mentorship experience as optimal as mine with Dr. Crawford.
renata Jones, dNP Student
26
Western University of Health Sciences
FNP Preceptors of the Year
Russell Rapoza, MD and Happy Khanna, MD
D
r. Russell Rapoza, a Southern California native,
graduated from Georgetown School of Medicine in
1990. Dr. Rapoza practices as an OB/GYN in
Fountain Valley, California. Dr. Rapoza has helped prepare
more than twenty students from the Family Nurse Practitioner
(FNP) program by providing students with more than twelve
hundred hours of clinical experience. Students have described
Dr. Rapoza as “friendly, patient and happy to teach students.”
The FNP Program values Dr. Rapoza’s willingness to serve as
a preceptor to the FNP students.
D
r. Happy Khanna has provided more than fourteen
hundred hours to over forty FNP students at
WesternU. Dr. Khanna practices as a pediatrician in
Glendale, California. Dr. Khanna is described as “very caring
to all of her patients” by students and provides a thorough
experience with the pediatric population. Dr. Khanna’s
willingness to serve as a preceptor to the FNP students is
extremely valuable.
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 27
HSL Preceptor of the Year
Marilynn Truitt, RN
M
rs. Truitt is a knowledgeable and passionate nurse who
always takes the time to teach, explain, and guide
nursing students during the Community Health clinical
experience. She finds a great balance between encouraging
independence while overseeing the actions of her students. Mrs.
Truitt went above and beyond as a preceptor, always willing to
help students whether she precepted them or not. For example,
Mrs. Truitt created several opportunities for students to gain
experience teaching elementary school children and the
opportunity to perform hearing and vision screening in over 5
schools within the Pomona Unified School District. While
working under Mrs. Truitt, you learned the importance of
organization, time management, performing health screenings,
and gained experience communicating with physicians and
parents of children within the school and community setting.
Photo not available
Shelbi Smith, RN, who is currently enrolled in the CGN MSN program states:
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Truitt and learn how to
become a more positive, genuine, and hardworking nurse and individual.”
Shelbi Smith, mSN Student
28
Western University of Health Sciences
MSN-E Preceptor of the Year
Rebecca Wahinehookae, BSN, RN
R
ebecca began her career as a new graduate on the Neuroscience Medical Surgical
Floor of Queen of the Valley Hospital (QVH). Following successful licensure as a
Registered Nurse, Rebecca quickly demonstrated competency in providing excellent
patient care. Early in her career she was identified as having characteristics of being a
quality preceptor. CGN has been fortunate to have Rebecca precept students for the past
three years for both the RN Transition Program and fourth semester pre-licensure students.
How did Rebecca develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be a preceptor?
As a first year nursing student, Rebecca witnessed a situation where an experienced RN
received negative feedback. Rebecca found that the experience was intimidating and
demeaning and she knew that this was something that a student or other colleague should
not experience. This was the start of her commitment to teach, mentor, guide, and coach
future nursing students. She believes that all nurses, whether new or experienced, should be
given the resources and the tools to support personal and professional growth. The
environment should be supportive and engaging in order to create an opportunity for
learning and improvement.
Communication between a student and preceptor is essential for success and sets the stage for learning. Rebecca starts her day by
setting goals with the students she precepts. Together, they plan the day to ensure that the goals can be met. She believes in the
importance of not only knowing and following the policies and procedures but also the importance that each student knows and
follows the policies and procedures as well. She goes the extra step to broaden the student’s clinical experience by actively seeking
additional learning opportunities, be the opportunity as simple as starting an IV line or helping bath a patient, or as complex as
responding to an emergency situation (code blue) in another unit. Regardless of the situation, she will always mentor the student
and guide him/her throughout the process.
One characteristic of serving as a preceptor that Rebecca enjoys the most is the students’ receptiveness. Students welcome collegial
communication, constructive feedback, and the opportunity for real world learning. Reflecting back to her previous experiences as
a preceptor, her greatest rewards are seeing her students connect and genuinely show concern and compassion to the patients and
families. In addition, she takes pride when her students see the “big picture” and the ability to “connect the dots” when caring for
the patients. By serving as a preceptor, she directly advocates for patients, families and students. Rebecca socializes students to the
nursing profession and the unit culture. She helps and encourages the students she precepts to network and build relationship
among colleagues. She has also helped many students apply for nursing positions in QVH. She has her Associate degree in nursing
(2010), Bachelors of Science in Nursing (2012) and is currently working part-time at QVH while attending California State
University, Los Angeles to complete her Master of Science in Nursing degree.
Nicole Tse, RN, who is currently enrolled in the CGN MSN program and an RN in QVH ER Department states:
“During my 4th semester through the RN Transition Program, I had the privilege of precepting with Rebecca
and it was such a valuable learning experience that I have continued to use the clinical skills and knowledge
from my time with her as I practice as an RN today. I thoroughly enjoyed my clinical rotations because she
was a great teacher, enriching my experience from making herself available for any questions to creating a
friendly learning environment to encouraging me to be proactive and seek out multiple opportunities to hone
my skills. Rebecca is a wonderful friend, teacher, and nurse and well deserved of the Preceptor of the Year
award. I am thankful to have precepted with her and am happy that she is being recognized for her hard
work and superb teaching. Thank you Rebecca.”
Nicole Tse, mSN Student
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 29
STUDENTS IN MOTION
30
Western University of Health Sciences
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 31
VOLUNTEERISM
32
Western University of Health Sciences
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 33
updates in the College of Graduate
Nursing Simulation Center
Suzette Bosveld, DNP, RN, CNE, CCNS, NP-C
S
everal new and exciting additions have been made in the
College of Graduate Nursing Simulation Center over the
last year. The aim of each addition is to increase the
fidelity or “realism” of the exercises experienced by the
students. The addition of these new devices will assist with the
development of the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to
ensure quality and safety of the health care systems in which
our graduates will work.
The first additions to the Simulation Center were directed
towards safe and effective administration of medications. An
automated medication administration system requiring a
34
Western University of Health Sciences
two-step patient identification and medication confirmation
process was installed in October of 2013 and brought on-line
for student use in the Spring Semester of 2014. In addition to
the unit-dose medication dispensing system, the Alaris 8000
Medley® “smart” IV pumps with pre-programmed IV
medication and infusion calculations were integrated into the
skills lab. Each of these devices is used extensively in clinical
areas and has been shown to add an extra layer of safety,
reducing the incidence of medication-related errors.
Changes in the physical simulation space have occurred with
the inclusion of a high-fidelity patient simulation suite.
This is an exciting time in the Nursing
Simulation Center with more improvements
planned for 2015-2016.
This “life-like” patient care area allows the student to be
completely immersed in the patient care process. Installation of
a new audio-visual system has provided faculty with the ability
to control the condition of the patient simulator and sequence of
clinical events from inside an adjacent control room. A 60-inch
monitor placed in the central instruction area allows the
students not involved in the scenario the ability to view patient
care and team interactions occurring in the patient room.
Overhead microphone and speaker systems augment the
realism by replicating alarms and announcements experienced
in the hospital environment as well as a dedicated telephone
line to communicate with “health care providers” and signal the
need for assistance such as calling a “code blue” or “rapid
response team.”
The purchase of a new Zoll® Biphasic Defibrillator/External
Pacemaker device has expanded the opportunities to educate
students in the care of patients with cardiac dysrhythmias as
well as those suffering from cardiac arrest. The defibrillator unit
is compatible with the high-fidelity I-Stan Human Simulators
using very low voltage and a “hands-free” cable connection.
This addition allows students the opportunity to practice this
low frequency/high risk skill before encountering in the clinical
area.
In order to streamline the ordering of supplies necessary for the
day to day operation of the skills and simulation lab, a new
electronic bar-coding inventory control system is scheduled to
begin use in May 2014. This system will allow for earlier
notification when supplies are in need of re-order and for easier
check-out of equipment utilized in community projects, and the
tracking of warranty data related to our high fidelity equipment.
This is an exciting time in the Nursing Simulation Center with
more improvements planned for 2015-2016. These
improvements include the replacement of the current birthing
simulator, the addition of two multisystem adult skills training
patient simulators, and the addition of a simulated Electronic
Health Record (EHR). The response to the changes has been
overwhelmingly positive thus far – stay tuned!
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 35
dNP Student research: Honoring the Three P’s
For much of graduate level nursing, just mentioning the “3 P’s” conjures up images of pathophysiology,
pharmacology, and (advanced) physical assessment. The 3 P’s advance patient care and represent a core aspect of
graduate nursing however, The College of Graduate Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has a
different version of the 3 P’s: publications, podium presentation, and poster presentations, and, in this spirit, there is
advancement of nursing knowledge. CGN values scholarship and dissemination as part of the DNP journey. In the last
year, many DNP students and alumni have contributed through scholarly activities to the art and science of nursing.
Publications
Bristol, S. T., & Hicks, R. W. (2013). Protecting boundaries of consent in clinical research:
Implications for improvement. Nursing Ethics, 21(1), 16-27.
doi:0.1177/0969733013487190
Rondinelli, J., Omery, A., Crawford, C., & Johnson, J. (2013).
Ambulatory staff registered nurse reported activities and outcomes.
The Permanente Journal, 19(1): e108-e115.
Dr. Sylvia Estrada
Nursing: One choice, a thousand careers.
Pomona Health Career Ladder
Will Internet-based education/reminders reach uninsured Hispanic women?
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Nursing Research Conference
Dr. Jennifer Ballard-Hernandez
CHF readmission reduction and value-based purchasing.
Northern California Cardiac Care Associate Symposium
Hicks, R. W., & Denholm, B. (2013). Implementing AORN recommended
practices for pneumatic tourniquet: A focus on the role of
perioperative nurse. AORN Journal, 98(4), 382-396.
doi:dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2013.08.004
Laws, D., & Crawford, C. L. (2013). Alternative strategies to constant patient
observation and sitters: A proactive approach. Journal of Nursing
Administration, 43(10), 497-501.
Podium Presentations
Dr. Patti A. McCluskey-Andre
The NP role in cardiometabolic effects of second generation antipsychotic
medications. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners Conference
Dr. Jennifer Ballard-Hernandez
Nurse practitioner directed heart failure care across the continuum:
From initial diagnosis to end of life care.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners Conference
(Co Presenter: White, M. F.)
Dr. Pat Callard
Using online activities to develop and promote leadership and
collaboration in teams. Collaborating Across Borders IV:
Transformative Change from the Classroom to Practice
Student perceptions of inter-professional collaboration and practice.
Magic in Teaching Conference Panel (with Denise Schilling and
Jasmine Yumori): Advancing Transition from Academia to
Collaborative Practice Magic in Teaching Conference
Dr. Cecelia Crawford
To aspirate or not to aspirate – that is the question: An integrative review
of the evidence.
Evidence-based nursing forum
(Co-presented with Johnson, J.)
Translational research: From bench to bedside and beyond!
California State University, Los Angeles; Student Nurses Association;
Sigma Theta Tau International Nu Mu Chapter
Dr. LaSonya Davis
The effects of cardiovascular education on knowledge and
perceptions of self-efficacy: Implementing behavior change among
African Americans.
Health Wellness and Society Conference
Dr. Tina Escobedo
The clinical education of the family nurse practitioner student: What
we know, what are the gaps, and where do we go from here.
Doctors of Nursing Practice Conference
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Western University of Health Sciences
Dr. Jennifer Ballard-Hernandez
Dr. Linda Goldman
Medications in breastfeeding for primary care NP’s.
California Association for Nurse Practitioners Annual Conference
Dr. Nicolann Hedgpeth
Systematic review of psychosocial interventions for anxiety in adults
with cancer.
Oncology Nursing Society’s annual conference Connections:
advancing care through science
Marci Luxemburg-Horowitz, DNPc
Cultivating collaborative partnerships: QSEN as Catalyst.
Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) National Conference
Alfie Ignacio, DNPc
Hourly rounding: Improving patient satisfaction in the ED.
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist (NACNS) Conference
The use of ultrasound-guided peripheral IV Insertion in the emergency
department.
Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Conference
Dr. Gabriella Malagon-Maldonado
Reframing inter-professional collaboration using an inquiry-based approach.
Doctors of Nursing Practice Conference
Dr. Kathleen A. Menasche
Collaborative practice between certified nurse-midwives/certified midwives
and obstetricians and the factors involved in working together to normalize
childbirth: An integrative review.
Doctors of Nursing Practice Conference.
Minna Miller, DNPc
Interprofessional collaboration: The current state of science.
British Columbia Nurse Practitioner Association (BCNPA)
Dr. LaSonya A. Davis
The effects of cardiovascular education on knowledge and perceptions of selfefficacy to implement behavior change among African Americans in a church
setting.
Doctors of Nursing Practice Conference
Dr. Anna Reber Franz
Use of live actors in nursing simulations.
Sigma Theta Tau Odyssey Conference
Alfie Ignacio, DNPc
Improving neurologic function after cardiac arrest through therapeutic
hypothermia.
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist Conference
Dr. Colleen Nevins
Interprofessional collaboration in baccalaureate nursing curriculum using
simulation as a learning strategy.
Magic in Teaching
(Co-presented with Hannans, J.)
Using simulation to prepare educators to handle learner situations in a clinical
context.
International Simulation in Healthcare
(Co-presented with Thomas, W., Foy, D. A., & Dusaj, T.)
Self-care practices of baccalaureate nursing students.
CSU Channel Islands/SAGE Publications Research
(Co-presented with Sherman, J., Aguayo, L., & Laska, E.)
Diane Pestolesi, DNPc
Strategies used for exemplar teaching.
Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education
Dr. Kathleen Rindahl
SCOFF Screening tool for eating disorders.
California Association for Nurse Practitioners
Dr. LuAnn Sanderson
Leading a MH nursing team to improve civility through assertiveness training
with role-play.
American Organization of Nurse Executives
Dr. Debra Wallace
New NP transition-to-practice residency in an HMO Setting.
Sigma Theta Tau Odyssey Conference
Dr. Debra Wallace
Dr. Anna Reber Franz
A thematic analysis of clinical nurse educators’ safety concerns.
Sigma Theta Tau Odyssey Conference
Poster Presentations
Dr. Cora Caballero
Dr. Michelle Jocson
Intramural competition significantly reduces door-to-needle time: Results from
Adventist national stroke forum door-to-needle time challenge process
improvement project.
International Stroke Conference
Dr. Jose John
Home Health CHF Hospital Re-Admission.
Kaiser Permanente Annual Quality Conference
Michelle Rhiner, DNPs
Patient satisfaction associated with use of fentanyl sublingual spray for the
management of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer of different types and
stages.
Painweek
Dr. Jennifer Ballard-Hernandez
Dr. Patti A. McCluskey-Andre
Quantifying value: A critical skill for nurse practitioners practicing in the acute
care setting.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners Conference
Dr. LuAnn E. Sanderson
Improving civility in the mental health nursing workplace: A study of leadership
strategy.
Doctors of Nursing Practice Conference.
Dr. Suzette Bosveld
Correlation of patient satisfaction scores with nurses’ knowledge and attitudes
related to the management of pain.
The 2014 Lilly Conference
Dr. Xinxia Zhao
Hepatitis B Knowledge and Preventative Practices Among Chinese American
Immigrants in Southern California.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners Conference.
Dr. Cora Caballero
Effect of a group medical appointment on glycemic control of patients with
type II diabetes.
Doctors of Nursing Practice Conference
Effect of a group medical appointment on glycemic control of patients with type II
diabetes.
California Association of Nurse Practitioners Conference
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 37
Nursing
Careers
Span Three
Generations
By Patti McCluskey-Andre,
DNP, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, GNP-BC, CCNS
N
ursing careers span three generations in my family, from my mother, to
her daughter (me) and now to my son. I became a nurse because my
mother wanted me to be a nurse and she did not initially have the
opportunity. Back then, moms with four kids did not go back to school for
professional degrees.
While her kids were at school, my mom received an associate degree in Art. As we
children grew older, mom started the prerequisites for nursing school, one at a
time. I even took a few classes with my mom while I was working on my
prerequisites. She was a difficult classmate as she read all assignments and studied
for many hours every day. I remember fondly in a chemistry lab, our experiment
did not end as it should have. My mom insisted we do it over and over until we
got the known result. I switched lab partners because I knew what was supposed
to happen, but she had to see it happen. She abhorred the statistics class and I
caught her more than once banging her calculator on her desk.
When my youngest brother was a senior in high school, my dad was informed that
mom planned to apply at a local community college nursing school. My mom and
I graduated the same year from different colleges. My mom was 50 years-old. She
worked full time for many years and then went on to obtain her Bachelor’s degree.
My mom worked in medical surgical units, stroke units, and neonatal
intensive care.
Ultimately, I decided to get my RN for all the reasons my mom had
ingrained in my head over the years. She would say, “You can
support yourself and do something good for someone else.” It has
been quite a journey as I went on to obtain my Bachelors of
Science, Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Family
Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification. And just last year I
received my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at
WesternU. I love being a nurse and nurse practitioner. My
nursing career has encompassed working in intensive care
units, cardiac surgery suites, as well as missionary work in
India and providing medical care within a forensic psychiatric
facility. Currently, I am an FNP faculty member at WesternU.
I would not change my career choice even if I could go back in
time to do so. Streamlining my education would be a
consideration, however, taking a step-by-step approach to my
nursing education has equipped me with the insight to mentor and
assist MSN and DNP students at WesternU with their educational
goals.
When my children went to college, I told them “pursue your passion.”
My son, with a knack of writing and a love of politics, went into journalism
and political science. He received a degree but could not find a job to utilize his
education. As many of my friends’ children asked me about nursing, he listened
and decided to become a nurse. No one was more shocked than I. After all, he
could not clean up the dog poop and did not like science, so I thought.
As I watched him excel in microbiology and other prerequisites, I began to
understand that my son was smart but also wanted to make the experiments work.
He is a combination of both my and my mom’s approach to learning. He
graduated in January 2014 with his BSN and has passed the boards. He laments
that I should have directed his career path so he would not have taken so long.
I am very proud of my son and mother for the richness they bring to the nursing
profession.
38
Western University of Health Sciences
Community Engagement
I
n the fall semester, Professor Ruth Trudgeon and a group
of MSN-E students began volunteering their time and
efforts at the Laurel Apartment Complex in Pomona, CA.
The students also created a community garden, educated
families on healthy eating habits, and collaborated with
the WesternU College of Dental Medicine students to provide
dental screenings for the children and parents.
Margie Chilin, an MSN-E student, describes “Our volunteer
activities with the residents of the Laurel Apartments and the
surrounding community have been coordinated with Pamela
Lynn from Angels Who Care. The main activity was
interacting with children after school. As nursing
students we can assess children’s health and
socialization while tutoring two days a week. Most
children are in kindergarten through eighth grade and
have parents who work.”
The students were exposed to many of the challenges
that vulnerable populations face. As Professor
Trudgeon explains “At first some students showed
‘culture shock’ at the conditions the families had to
endure. With time the students were able to bond
with the kids and act as great role models. The
students gained a good understanding of the
struggles these families face on a daily basis.”
Learning how to gain the trust of the children and
parents proved to be a valuable experience for the
students. Stephanie Cornett, an MSN-E student,
explains “When I first arrived at the apartments, I
interacted with a four year old boy. He was very
shy and reserved. Now that I have interacted
with him twice weekly for almost six months,
he speaks openly with me and laughs and jokes
around. Every day that we have tutoring
together, he brings in some paper so that he
can practice writing his name and his
numbers.”
The experience of working with the families
of the Laurel Apartment Complex has been a
transformational experience for the
MSN-E students, as Tara Ploof explains
“This opened my eyes to the human
interaction component of nursing and that the
teaching part of nursing can happen in a low-key environment.” Margie
Chilin shares “I always had an interest in underserved populations, but now it is stronger
than ever. The major take away from this experience is that one person can make a difference.”
Excellence in Nursing | 2014 39
In Memoriam
Earlier this year the College of
Graduate Nursing experienced great
loss, with the passing of one of its
students and one of its faculty. Andreas
Glas was an extremely bright student
with a heart of gold who always went
out of his way to contribute to the
positive growth of the college. Pati
Hagen was a long time beloved
member of our adjunct clinical faculty
team, teaching and molding young
minds into becoming great nurses.
Both will be greatly missed by peers,
colleagues, family and friends.
This piece started as a memorial to
those members of the college that were
lost this year, but in thinking about
them we can’t help but to be reminded
of others that we have lost along the
way in years past. Each one of them
left their mark in our minds like a
hologram encapsulating a memory.
They left unexpectedly, leaving behind
a trail of remembrances in small bits
and pieces scattered through our
collective memories.
40
Western University of Health Sciences
Remembering them makes us realize
that we are not just students registered
for a program, or faculty expounding
great wealths of knowledge, or even
just staff working hard to earn a
paycheck. We are each a part of the
greater collective. We are members of
a family. We give what we can to
change whatever we touch for the
better; to better ourselves, to improve
a course, to strengthen the college to
contribute to the university, to save
lives to make the world a safer,
healthier and better place. The College
of Graduate Nursing has been
changed by each person passing
through it. We contribute what we can
in hopes of leaving something of
ourselves behind, like bread crumb
trails to remind others that we were
here and we made a difference, just as
those who recently left us did.
Thank You
The College of Graduate Nursing would like to recognize the following
individuals and organizations for their contribution to the support and success
of our college over the past five years.
Dean’s Circle ($5,000+)
The Fletcher Jones Foundation
Johnson & Johnson
Hoag Hospital
Director’s Guild ($2,000 - $4,999)
Advanced Practice Education Associates
Jan Boller
Keith Johnson
Partners ($500 – $1,999)
Richard Staggs
Heather Donatini
Sigma Theta Tau Phi Alpha Chapter
Karen Hanford
Marnell Frizzell
Lawrence Merchep
Desiree Colly
NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Rodney Hicks
Diamond Bar Woman’s Club
Contributors ($250 - $499)
Judith Siegfried
Ruth Pinter
Christine Olinghouse
Kelleen Fakenbridge
Kevin Shaw
Marie Podboy
Friends of CGN ($25 - $249)
James White
Jacquelyn Brophy
Susan Watkins
Laurene Potwardowski
Joy Edwards-Beckett
Dorothy Robertson
Lisa Roberts
Alan Yo
Usha Sivasankaran
Teresa Ortiz
Claudia Maldonado
Karen Young
Kathleen Mahon
Thomas Fox
Cynthia Bream
Byron Telford
Mary Capovilla
Linda Wilhelm
Joseph Lau
Judith Hall
Amanda Wilson
Alice Ruiz
Helen Suh
Sharon Gateley
Sarah Fernando
Pamela Owenby
April Noren
Debra McGee-Smith
Casey Koerner
Vanessa Gilbertson
Laurie Callahan
Michelle Kooiman
Western University of Health Sciences
309 E. Second Street
Pomona, California 91766-1854
www.westernu.edu
909-623-6116