The College of Nursing’s 15th Annual Health & Human Values Lecture Series: Promoting Human Dignity Throughout the Lifespan continued on Ocotber 5th with a special look at the diverse and highly effective efforts of Nursing faculty who addressed Promoting Dignity through Volunteerism.
Villanova’s campus community, students, and colleagues alike joined a faculty panel for a discussion of how they integrate their clinical expertise to uphold and promote the dignity of the individuals and groups with which they volunteer. Their volunteerism includes working with African American women with breast cancer (Patricia K. Bradley, PhD, RN), underserved immigrant populations in clinics (Elise Pizzi, MSN, CRNP), and those in the midst of ethical issues related to their health (Barbara Ott, PhD, RN).
Dr. Bradley spoke of the commonalities among the work of the three colleagues. Each gives a voice to the voiceless and, regardless of the area of specialization, “takes the talk and puts it into action.” She is tied to multiple advocacy groups for African American women with breast cancer. Dr. Bradley explained her work at the organizational level, for instance the national level of the American Cancer Society, where she is involved in discussion and decisions relating to healthcare access and diversity. She also helps smaller organizations access resources. While she works with policy, Dr. Bradley is also connected to people in the community.
Prof. Pizzi volunteers her time to assist Unity Clinic in South Philadelphia with its operations and future plans, as well as care for its underserved immigrant patients, most of who are from Indonesia. She illustrated the need for dedicated volunteers who keep an entity such as the clinic as vibrant as it can be for the neighborhood it serves. She also spoke about the importance of relationships with other health care resources—and funding sources—in being able to provide the continuum of care required by the population. In the near future, Unity Clinic hopes to move and expand its services deeper into the surrounding area through what will be a permanent home within a community center.
Dr. Ott explained the need for well-trained, experiences and diverse membership of an ethics committee. She volunteers her time with several ethics committees in large and small hospitals and a health care system. Her work at any given time might involve policy development and review, such as those relating to do-not-resuscitate orders, HIV testing and advanced directives; education of hospital staff, committee members, patients and families and community members; and case consultation for ethically troublesome cases. Dr. Ott also spoke of the benefit of prospective ethics review in the ICU where there can be early intervention in high risk cases. She noted the cross-cultural mandate to respect and protect human rights.
In December 2009, Suzanne Tracey Zamerowski, Ph.D., R.N., associate professor, was notified by the Genomic Healthcare Branch of the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health that she will be one of their genetics nurse education experts and an invited member of the Consultation Directory: Genetics/Genomics Education Exemplar Resources. The directory will provide a valuable resource for faculty to access and facilitate integration of genetics into their curricula and education programs. Her commitment extends through September 2010.
Approximately 1400 Philadelphians can thank Villanova University nursing students for fewer fevers, coughs, and aches this winter. Flu season just got easier for them after nearly 90 junior students, accompanied by College of Nursing faculty, administered their seasonal flu shots.
Each year the College of Nursing recognizes the achievements of its alumni with its highest award, the College of Nursing Medallion. Recipients are selected from among your nominations, a critical step in the process.We encourage you to take the time to nominate a fellow Villanova Nurse this month. Previous honorees have been nurse managers, executives, clinicians, community volunteers and educators. We look forward to reading your nominations and honoring yet another distinguished group of Villanova Nurses. 
Risks in the middle school years have moved beyond sneaking cigarettes. As part of a research team funded by the Department of Justice, Dr. Elizabeth Dowdell, associate professor of Nursing at Villanova, studies risky Internet behaviors of middle schoolers. In her study of 404 students, 59 had communication with a stranger, some with online conversations, gifts or meetings. Dr. Dowdell says prevention efforts should include programs in the curriculum that teach refusal skills in online situations. Parents should keep computers in a public space at home and discuss with children the dangers of posting online personal data.
The College of Nursing kicks off its 15th Annual Health & Human Values Lecture series on Monday with Improving Quality of Life for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Haiti. See you at 7:30pm in the Driscoll Hall Auditorium to to hear Dr. Leonardo Shamamba talk about his work as an HIV/AIDS outreach coordinator and caring for the children affected in Haiti.
The College of Nursing announces a call for abstracts for papers and posters for its Annual Research Symposium to be held Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Villanova Room of Connelly Center on the University campus. The deadline for abstracts is December 21, 2009.
