
From August 2020 through April 2021, the School of Nursing sponsored a 50th Anniversary Seminar series that featured over 25 nationally and internationally recognized alumni during lectures moderated by SON faculty. Below are the topics and presenters for this free series.
“Managing Critical COVID-19 Challenges: Nursing on the Front Line” with presenters Carolyn Santora, MS, RN, NEA-BC, CSHA, CPHQ, Alison Rowe, MS, RN, NEA-BC, CEN, and Allison Copenhaver, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Members of the Stony Brook University Hospital nursing administrative team discussed how the challenges of COVID-19 are being addressed, including preparations, PPE management and maintaining a positive team spirit during these challenging times.
“Rapid Response Team in an Academic Medical Center, Practice and Management in an NP Lead Model” with speaker Barbara Mills, DNP, RN, ACNPC, ANPC, PNP, CCRN, PCCN, a nationally recognized expert at Stony Brook University Hospital
Mills spoke about the activation and deployment of the Rapid Response Team and how they respond when patients begin to physiologically decompensate and how they intervene to optimize patient outcomes.
“The Future of Midwifery Education and Clinical Practice: Developing Future Leaders” with speaker Heather Findletar Hines, DNP, CNM, FACNM, and panelists Susan Altman, DNP, CNM, FACNM, Tamika Julien, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, Christina Kocis, DNP, CNM, FACNM, and Kelly Walker, DNP, CNM, FACNM
Hines, Midwifery Program Director, who is nationally recognized for her innovation in midwifery education, hosted a panel that featured alumnae midwives who shared their experiences at Stony Brook and provided insight into the future of education and clinical practice.
“Vaccine Hesitancy and Resistance During a Global Pandemic: Nurses Lead a Positive Change” with speaker Mary Koslasp-Petraco, DNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, FAANP
Vaccine hesitancy and resistance have been present since the first vaccine for smallpox was developed in 1796, and the Internet has only made it easier to proliferate anti-vaccine information today. To counter the disinformation, scepticism and outright hostility, Koslasp-Petraco spoke about the key role nurses have in ensuring that a safe and effective COVID vaccine is accepted by the public.
“PTSD In Healthcare Personnel: Lessons from Vietnam” with speaker Joan Furey, MA, RN
Furey, who served as a U.S. Army nurse in Vietnam in 1969 and earned the Bronze Star, gave a brief history of nurses’ contributions during America’s wars and discussed the pioneering work of the Department of Veterans Affairs in understanding the impact of war-related stressors on the psycho-social well-being of Vietnam veteran nurses, and how these findings can help inform healthcare workers in the battle against COVID-19.
“Heart Failure – The Road Less (Or More?) Traveled” with speaker Corrine Y. Jurgens, PhD, RN, ANP, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN
This session addressed the evolution of nursing research on symptom perception and heart failure using practical advice and humor. Jurgens discussed the incremental steps for building a research program, creative ways to conduct research with limited resources and the role of mentorship in building a successful program.
“COVID-19 Response Panel: Novel Approaches” with presenters April Plank, DNP, RN, Tricia A. Lewis, MSN, CNM, NPD-BC and Suzie Marriott, MS, RN, PMH-BC
These nurse leaders developed novel approaches to caring for patients and their coworkers during the COVID-19 hospital surge, emphasizing their initiatives “the face behind the mask,” “gentle hands team” and “caring for the emotional needs of coworkers.”
“Deans’ Panel: Leading Through Uncertainty” on Feb. 3, 2021, with presenters Lori A. Escallier, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, FAAN, Kathleen Gallo, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, and Marie Ann Marino, EdD, RN, FAAN
The focus of this session, led by nationally recognized nurse leaders, was how their role as deans is preparing nurses at all levels of practice who will take action to aid society, reduce inequities and meet the nation’s future health needs.
“Managing the COVID Surge 2020/2021: Pop-up Units and the Centralized Throughput Office” with presenter Allison Copenhaver, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
The surge of COVID-19 patients that began in March 2020 pressed immediate changes on healthcare organizations. Copenhaver spoke about a new understanding of the complex work required to emergently open hospital beds, appreciate the role of the Centralized Throughput Office in the regulation of bed assignments and describe methods of communication that enhance team performance.
“Chief Nursing Officer Panel: Self-Care Practice for Nurses” with presenters Margaret Duffy, RN, PhD, NEA-BC, Cohen Children’s Medical Center, and Elizabeth McCormick, MSN, RN, CENP, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Two Stony Brook alumnae spoke about self-care practices that are especially important during the current healthcare crisis, emphasizing that chief nursing officers (CNO) are champions of organizational culture and mission. These CNOs described how they maintain self-care practices for themselves and promote such practices for the nurses within their organization.
“Advocating for Seniors: Strategies for Aging in Place” with presenter Denise Snow, RN, JD
Snow’s presentation included actions that can be taken to maximize the safety, independence and comfort of our seniors, identifying the provider’s role in obtaining benefits such as home care, and plans that can avoid crisis management in long-term chronic care.
“Historical Panel: Always a Step Ahead” with presenters Arleen Steckel, PhD, RN, PNP-BC, Elayne DeSimone, PhD, NP-C, FAANP, and Patricia Jacobowitz, DNP, NP, RN
This session focused on the forces that shaped the development of the School of Nursing at Stony Brook University, as well as its influence on health care delivery both locally and globally with a timeline that highlighted the accomplishments of the school’s faculty and graduates.
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