Villanova Nursing connections in Landstuhl

Villanova Nursing connections can be found all over the world.  Greetings were sent "home" by

Capt. Beth Hoettels (rt.) and Lt. Kelly Binder (l), College of Nursing Class of 2013.  Lt. Binder was also a leader in the ROTC program.  They are working together at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany.

Capt. Hoettels, who forged a relationship with Villanova Nursing during Dr. Carol Weingarten's volunteer trips there each summer, spoke at Villanova during her visit in Oct., 2012 about her military nursing career, especially her work as an air transport nurse for critically wounded troops.  She continues to be part of the College's "Joining Forces" projects.  Lt. Binder is newly stationed at LRMC.  Together they are caring for wounded and ill troops airlifted from Afghanistan and for active duty military and dependents at LRMC. 

Nemours alumni advance through clinical ladder

Congratulations to our alumni at Nemours/A.I DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del. on their recent achievement. In early 2014, the three direct care nurses in the Nemours Cardiac Center earned a Clinical Nurse-III for Nursing Advancement. From left to right, they are: Anne Marie Russell, '95 BSN, RN, CPN; Kevin Nusspickel, '11 BSN, RN, CPHON; and Virginia Horsell Conte, '80 BSN, MSN, RN, CPN. Way to go!

Promoting health in young girls

“I am very passionate about empowering young women and I hope that I am making a difference!” says senior Kelsey MacNaughton. In 2012, she traveled to Durban, South Africa with College of Nursing faculty for an international field study in nursing. Knowing that the young Zulu girls at St. Leo’s school were in “desperate need of information and knowledge” about puberty and health, Kelsey says she “jumped at the idea” to teach the topic, along with Villanova nursing students Grace Stack and Laura Quaresima. In an environment swirling with myths on the subject and students lacking resources and parental guidance, the 7th graders in Durban were in need of accurate and updated information about growing up which the nursing students delivered, while promoting the normalcy of the changes that occur and discussing hygiene and health. Based on her experience in South Africa, Kelsey decided to deliver the same topic to 7th grade African-American girls during her senior year health promotion clinical practica with Dr. Carol Weingarten at McDaniel School in Philadelphia. Her April 2013 teaching plan included a slide presentation, a video, pre/post-tests, a “question jar,” and supplies. Kelsey later compared her observations and experiences teaching the two groups of girls in the US and in Africa for the College’s Undergraduate Scholar’s Day on April 23rd.

Villanova nursing connects in Kenya

For two weeks in July, M. Frances Keen, D.N.Sc., R.N., associate professor and interim director, Center for Global and Public Health, was in Kenya building houses with a Habitat for Humanity Global Village team. Having expanded her construction skill set, Dr. Keen says, “It was an absolutely fabulous experience, and one that I will definitely do again.”

On a free day, Dr. Keen was able to meet with alumna Sr. Alice Wamara Wanjiku ’09 BSN, ’10 MSN (left), as well as Sr. Celestine who will be joining the College in August to earn her BSN. Sr. Celestine founded and runs a hospital in Bungoma, a town where Dr. Keen was located near Kenya's border with Uganda; and Sr. Alice traveled there to see her.

Villanova flag flies with CCATT

Dr. Carol Weingarten (center, left), associate professor, and  Capt. Elizabeth Hoettels, U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps (center, right) have forged a collegial relationship during Dr. Weingarten's volunteer summer trips to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Capt. Hoettels is a Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) Nurse and a Clinical Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at LRMC.

The College of Nursing, through its Joining Forces initiative, hosted Capt. Hoettels last October when she gave a lecture on her military career and the work done at LRMC for the wounded in the Middle East. In turn, the College of Nursing has given lectures and shared archived lectures for the staff at LRMC.

On June 7th, the above photo was taken at LRMC shortly before Capt. Hoettels  and her colleague deployed as part of a CCATT.  Villanova's flag flew with them, bringing wounded and ill troops home.

Admiral Fallon visits College of Nursing

This spring, Villanova University hosted Admiral  (Ret.) William J. Fallon as its Scholar-in-Residence. After serving over 41 years, this 1967 alumnus retired from the U.S. Navy as a four-star admiral. His last military assignment was as Commander, U.S. Central Command from March 2007 to March 2008. During the week, he presented "American Roles in a Changing World." Admiral Fallon (front row, center) also visited the College of Nursing on April 24th to have lunch with Dean Louise Fitzpatrick; Dr. Lesley Perry, associate dean; Rose O'Driscoll, assistant dean for administration; nursing alumna Maryalice Morro who is a retired Navy captain and member of the College's Board of Consultors and University's Alumni Association Board; Naval ROTC nursing students, and nursing students from the Middle East.

Exploring nursing in Ireland

While studying in Ireland with fellow nursing students as part of an international field experience in nursing, junior Michelle Alemi (front row, 3rd from right) has had an "amazing" time. The group, led by Dr. Patricia Mynaugh (back, right) and Dr. Amy McKeever (front, right), is based at National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway.

"The faculty here is so warm and welcoming," says Michelle, emailing from across the Atlantic, "We listened to many different lectures about the Irish health care system." One of her favorite activities was a simulated code situation in a ward, which included a variety of roles and use of teamwork. "There were many factors we experienced that we were not used to and it was a great learning experience," she notes. Michelle and the rest of the Villanova Nurses will explore more of Ireland and its culture before returning home next week.