“The receipt of this grant is the launching pad for my career,” Brewster said. “I intend to capitalize on all the opportunities to network with and learn from seasoned researchers and mentors. In order for me to conduct life-changing research, I have to understand all aspects of the research process and this funding will allow me to remain at USF and continue to work, observe and participate in research. I am excited about my growth as a researcher over the next 2 years.”

Brewster will receive a total of $100,000 for two years to cover for tuition waivers, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, grants-in-aid, and more. As an Archbold Scholar, she will continue to work as a Graduate Research Assistant, under the mentorship of USF Nursing Professor and Endowed Chair, Meredeth Rowe, RN, PhD, FGSA, FAAN, in the College’s Caregiving Lab.

“Brewster earned this award through hard work and dedication in her professional and academic endeavors,” Dr. Rowe said.  ”She is dedicated to improving the lives of older adults particularly by furthering our understanding of depression and its ramifications.  Her potential to make a difference through research is exceptional given her talents and the richness of this award.  It will be a pleasure to work with her and enjoy her successes.”

Brewster will conduct research on the R01 National Institute on Aging (NIA) funded study, led by Dr. Rowe, entitled “Improving Dementia Caregiver Sleep & the Effect on Heart Disease Biomarkers.” She will also continue to participate in study activities including data recruitment, data collection and analyses, and research publication and presentation.

As a mentor, Dr. Rowe will meet with Brewster weekly to advise her in the researcher role, help her develop poster and paper presentations, grant submissions and applications for the postdoctoral period. Brewster will have two additional mentors including Professor and Ronald and Elizabeth Blake Distinguished Professor in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Christine L. Williams, DNSc, PMHCNS-BC, and Assistant Professor of Aging Studies from USF Health, Aryn Harrison, PhD. Dr. Williams will mentor Brewster regarding depression in older adults and leadership in geriatric nursing, while Dr. Harrison will provide mentoring in measuring cognitive performance.

 “I am very proud that I received this award but I know that this would not have been possible without a team believing in me and my potential,” Brewster said. “Dr. Rowe, who assisted me throughout the entire process, my advisor, USF Nursing Associate Professor and Academic Affairs and Interprofessional Initiatives Associate, Rita F. D’Aoust, PhD, ACNP, ANP-BC, CNE, FAANP, FNAP, my other mentors, the professors who wrote my recommendation letters, and the research lab team who guided me with the budget and the final assembly of the grant submission respectively. One of the most important persons in my team is my mother who funded the start of this journey and I would not have been here without her.”

NHCGNE Scholar Award Program, created to increase academic gerontological nursing capacity in the United States, helps develop academic gerontological nursing capacity in the United States. NHCGNE Scholars, in collaboration with their mentors, will implement a tailored professional plan which supports development of new competencies and enhanced effectiveness as an academic leader.

For related stories on Glenna Brewster click here.

At the University of South Florida College of Nursing Spring 2013 Pinning Ceremony featuring the Alumni Path of Light, May 3, 2013,  Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Community Engagement, Connie Visovsky, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, welcomed alumni, faculty, family and friends who were celebrating an incredible milestone in the graduates’  journey of lifelong learning as health professionals. The Pinning Ceremony is a nursing tradition which marks the transition of baccalaureate graduates from students to professional nurses.

Many of the students graduated with University honors: 20 Cum Laude, 22 Magna Cum Laude and 2 Summa Cum Laude. Additionally, 1 student,  Temre Smith, earning the highest honors, Summa Cum Laude, has been chosen by the USF Alumni Association to receive the King O’Neal Scholars Award at commencement for graduating with an outstanding 4.0 GPA. Exemplar students were also recognized with several awards including Academic Excellence, Clinical Excellence, Leadership Award, Spirit of Nursing Award, Service Award, Capstone Award, Evidence Based Practice Award, and Quality & Safety Award.

Class mates and room mates, Carolyn Steel and Rachel Tax, both became the third generation of nurses in their families, and both of their mothers and grandmothers were there to celebrate with them at the Pinning Ceremony on May 3, 2013.

“I am fortunate to be able to participate in this pinning tradition with all of our graduating students, and was delighted to meet these two families of 3^rd generation nurses (2^nd Generation Bull Nurses!),” said Assistant Professor, Melissa Molinari Shelton, PhD, RN. “A call to nursing is a special bond they share with one another.  As our College continues to educate the nursing leaders of tomorrow, I expect that we will certainly welcome many more Bull Nurse legacies into our family.”

At the USF Commencement Ceremony recognizing graduate students from all colleges of the university on Saturday, May 4, 2013, Spring 2013 Nursing BS-PhD graduate, Crystal L. Chapman-Lambert, MS, FNP-BC, ACRN, AAHIVS, spoke to more than 730 graduates and their friends and family during the student address. ”I cannot deny that I will forever be a bull, more specifically, a bull nurse,” she said, humbled and grateful for being selected.

“I was honored and horrified because my public speaking is something that I fear, but I was up for the challenge,” Chapman-Lambert said. “Thank you to everyone at the USF College of Nursing for recognizing my hard work and dedication to the advancement of nursing science.”

Chapman-Lambert has shown tremendous success throughout her education journey at USF College of Nursing. In 2007, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, and was the USF Nursing McKnight Doctoral Fellow. In 2011, she also received the Sigma Theta Tau International/Virginia Henderson Clinical Research Grant from Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing to allow her to conduct research on HIV-infected women’s knowledge, perceived susceptibility and seriousness of cervical cancer.

“We are all proud of Crystal, and what she has accomplished,” said USF Nursing Distinguished Professor and Thompson Professor of Oncology Nursing, Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN, who has been Chapman-Lambert’s mentor during her dissertation. “My perspective is that she is bright and articulate and will be a talented researcher and teacher. I’m proud of her, and wish her an amazing career.”

To read Crystal Chapman-Lambert’s story in its entirety click here.

For related stories on Chapman-Lambert click here.

For information about USF Commencement visit www.usf.edu/commencement 

For more photos from USF Commencement  May3-5, 2013 click here.

For details about USF Commencement Ceremonies held May 3-5, 2013 click here.

“I feel humbled and honored to speak on behalf of USF Nursing students and those graduates who are proudly walking on Saturday,” Chapman-Lambert said.

Chapman-Lambert, who completed her BS-PhD in Nursing this semester, said she is humbled and grateful for being selected to speak at the USF Commencement Ceremony recognizing graduate students from all colleges of the university.

“I was honored and horrified because my public speaking is something that I fear, but I was up for the challenge,” Chapman-Lambert said. “Thank you to everyone at the USF College of Nursing for recognizing my hard work and dedication to the advancement of nursing science.”

Chapman-Lambert has shown tremendous success throughout her education journey at USF College of Nursing. In 2007, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, and was the USF Nursing McKnight Doctoral Fellow. In 2011, she also received the Sigma Theta Tau International/Virginia Henderson Clinical Research Grant from Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing to allow her to conduct research on HIV-infected women’s knowledge, perceived susceptibility and seriousness of cervical cancer.

“We are all proud of Crystal, and what she has accomplished,” said USF Nursing Distinguished Professor and Thompson Professor of Oncology Nursing, Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN, who has been Chapman-Lambert’s mentor during her dissertation. “My perspective is that she is bright and articulate and will be a talented researcher and teacher. I’m proud of her, and wish her an amazing career.”

Over 140 students graduated from the College of Nursing this semester including one Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), six PhDs in Nursing, 49 Master’s of Science (MS), and 90 Bachelor’s of Science (BS).

For information about USF Commencement visit www.usf.edu/commencement 

For more photos from USF Commencement  May3-5, 2013 click here.

For details about USF Commencement Ceremonies held May 3-5, 2013 click here.

For related stories on Chapman-Lambert click here.

USF Nursing PhD Student Pinky Budhrani at USF Health Research Day 2013

“We are very proud that she has been awarded this fellowship,” said Budhrani’s mentor, Professor and Program Director for BS-PhD at USF College of Nursing, Cecile A. Lengacher, RN, PhD, FAAN. “Pinky’s credentials of a PhD student and an Oncology Nurse Practitioner combined with her desire to be a researcher in oncology and complementary alternative medicine has made her an excellent candidate for this award. In addition, her diverse background as an international student makes her an excellent candidate for delivery and consideration of cultural components for integrative therapies in oncology.”

Ms. Budhrani will complete her fellowship in the DFCI’s Cantor Center, the Departments of Nursing and patient Care Services and Medical Oncology under the mentorship of Director of the Phyllis F. Cantor Center in Nursing and Patient Care Services and Associate Professor of Medicine for Harvard Medical School, Donna L. Berry, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN.

In addition, she will also be appointed to post-doctoral position as Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School. During her fellowship, Budhrani will also become a member of the Phyllis F. Cantor Center in Nursing and Patient Care Services.

“This award demonstrates the excellence of the BS-PhD program at USF College of Nursing,” said Dr. Lengacher. “This validates that this program provides the foundation for educating the next generation of nurse scientists. Through these efforts, these awards move the College forward in attainment of its strategic goals, by building scholarship, research and leadership among faculty and students.”

Ms. Budhrani has participated in several national and regional presentations including at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society, the Annual Southern Nursing Research Society Conferences, and Delta Beta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau. Professionally, she is a member of the International Society of Delta Beta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau in the College of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the Oncology Nursing Society, and the American Psycho-Social Oncology Society.

Within the College of Nursing she has also received several awards including the Sandra Holley Oncology Scholarship, Magma Cum Laude Honor Award, Clinical Excellence Award USF College of Nursing, the Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship, and recognition by USF as a member of the Honors College and Golden Key Honor Society.

Ms. Budhrani is currently working on her dissertation, which is titled A Pilot Investigation of Sleep, Race/Ethnicity, and Psychological and Physical Symptoms among Breast Cancer Survivors.   She is expected to complete her PhD in Nursing in Aug., 2013.

“Her mentored research experiences as a Research Associate for my research on NCI R01 Symptom Cluster Trial for Breast Cancer Survivors provided additional NIH experiential training necessary for this post-doctoral fellowship,” said Dr. Lengacher. “She has participated on my interdisciplinary research team for more than three years and has collaborated on several publications demonstrating excellence in writing within the R01 team.”

Ms. Budhrani will begin her distinguished fellowship at DFCI in Sept., 2013, and will remain in that position for two years.

Dr. Lengacher and her R01 team, Carly Paterson and Irina Carranza, gave seminar and poster-style presentations on five different research topics for an opportunity to interact in an interdisciplinary forum to advance the care of cancer survivors.

“This professional interaction is vital for the professional advancement of doctoral students in oncology and the advancement or nursing science,” Dr. Lengacher said. “This moves us forward in meeting the strategic goals of the USF College of Nursing.”

Paterson and Carranza, currently working on the PhD degree in Nursing, have participated on the R01 team  for Dr. Lengacher’ s National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded MBSR Symptom Cluster Trial for Breast Cancer Survivors research study team for several years. Dr. Lengacher is their sponsor and mentor.

“It is important for our R01 team (including students) to participate in APOS not only as a member of an R01 NCI NIH team but also as a member NCI designated research Institute,” Dr. Lengacher said. “Our team from the College and Moffitt was able to display current R01 findings including pilot work of the College of Nursing doctoral students, in an interdisciplinary manner with other researchers in oncology. The conference provides an opportunity to interact with national and international researchers and clinicians in oncology, thus increasing the visibility of our research in oncology at the College.”

 

Dr. Lengacher and her R01 team presented on the following research areas:

Lengacher, C. A. (2013, February). Biomarker outcomes in Biobehavioral Integrative Therapy Research. A seminar presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) 10^th Annual Conference, in Huntington Beach, California.

Wyatt, G., Lengacher, C. A. (2013, February). Conceptualization of Integrative Therapy Research Including Models and Mechanisms of action. A seminar presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) 10^th Annual Conference in Huntington Beach, California.

Lengacher, C. A., Reich, R.R., Jim, H., Kip, K. E., Jacobsen, P., Kiluk, J., Loftus, L.,  Laronga, C., Ramesar, S., Paterson, C., Carranza, I., and Budhrani, P. (2013, Febraury). The Influence of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, MBSR(BC) on Objective Sleep (OS) among Breast Cancer Survivors. A poster presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) 10^th Annual Conference in Huntington Beach, California.

Carranza, I., Lengacher, C.A., Park, J., Kip, K.  (2013, February). State of the Science: Evaluating Cognitive Function and Genes in Breast Cancer. A poster presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) 10^th Annual Conference in Huntington Beach, California.

Paterson, C., Lengacher, C.A. (2013, February). State of the Science: Body Image in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors. A poster presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) 10^th Annual Conference in Huntington Beach, California.

Dr. Lengacher has been a member of APOS for several years and currently serves on several committees, the program committee, grant committee, fund raising, scientific review committee and the complementary alternative Sig Group. Paterson and Carranza serve in the APOS’ interdisciplinary committees, and are members of the complementary alternative Sig Group. They will both serve on the program committee for APOS 11^th Annual conference to be held in Tampa in 2014.

The APOS annual conference is designed to improve translation of research to practice in psychological oncology, bringing together researchers and practitioners to develop, test, and implement innovative approaches to psychological supportive care for people undergoing cancer treatment, according to APOS’s web site.

-Center for Living with Chronic Illness-

The USF College of Nursing Center for Living with Chronic Illness focuses on the impressive research expertise of our world-class, nursing scientists, faculty and students. Chronic illness nationally has reached epidemic proportions with nearly one half of all Americans suffering some type of chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, or cancer. For more information please visit our website at health.usf.edu/nursing

“During the panel discussion, I helped give my input regarding student research, studies and ongoing involvement in bettering the community with an emphasis on the role scholarships have had in helping students attain academic success,” Paterson said. “I also shared my personal experiences and successes with the invited attendees.”

Paterson was accompanied by five other USF Health students on the panel, but was the only student representing USF College of Nursing.  Paterson’s mentor, Cecile A. Lengacher, RN, PhD, FAAN, Professor and Program Director for BS-PhD, and Cindy Munro, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at USF College of Nursing, attended the event.

“It was an honor to be invited to speak on behalf of the USF College of Nursing at the ‘An Evening with…Student Success’ event,” Paterson said. “I take great pride in being a BS-PhD student at the College and I am pleased to be able to share with USF alumni and donors my successes as a student and the impact that scholarships have had in assisting me to achieve my academic and career goals.”

USF Health holds “An Evening With…” event every year to provide an inside look at the exciting discoveries and innovations taking place at USF Health.  Each segment of the event showcases a signature program of USF Health and gives attendees an opportunity to converse  with USF Health faculty, researchers and physicians who work hard every day to make life better for generations to come.

For related stories on Carly Paterson click here.

At the event,  USF College of Nursing graduate student, Julie Daugherty, MS, won the best Nursing poster presentation, which was titled “Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program in Patients with Chronic Tinnitus Disturbance.”

“Jessica Gordon’s oral presentation was very well done, and well received- congratulations to her,” Dr. Munro said. “And congratulations to all of the poster presenters, who did a marvelous job of representing student scholarly work in the College; special kudos to Julie Daugherty, who was the CON poster award winner. And finally, thanks to the College of Nursing Faculty who served as judges for the event. Let’s go even bigger next year!!”

The following students presented on Research Day:

Oral Presentation:

Jessica Gordon, MS, USG Nursing graduate student
            “Stabalization of Extra-uterine Life with Skin to Skin Contact”

Posters:

Irina Carranza, BS, USG Nursing graduate student
            “State of the Science: Evaluating Cognitive Functioning and Genes in Breast Cancer”

Pao-Chu Hsu, MS, Graduate Student
            “Prenatal Stress, Depression and Herpes Viruses Reactivation”

Julie Daugherty, MS, USF Nursing graduate student
            “Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program in Patients with Chronic Tinnitus Disturbance”  

Carly Paterson, MS RN, USF Nursing graduate student
           “Body Image in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors: A Review of the Literature”

Chun-Yi Tai, MS, USF Nursing graduate student
            “Understanding How Taiwanese Registered Nurses Make Clinical Decisions Regarding Patient Care: A Grounded Theory Approach”

Pinky Budhrani, MS, USF Nursing graduate student
             “Subjective Sleep Quality, Physical and Psychological Symptoms in Breast Cancer  Survivors”

USF Nursing faculty members such as Dr. Munro judged oral presentations at the event. While Jason Beckstead, PhD, Associate Professor, John Clochesy, RN, PhD, CS, FAAN, FCCM, Professor and Faculty Mentorship Program Director, Versie Johnson-Mallard, PhD, ARNP, MSN, MSMS, Assistant Professor, and Melissa Molinari Shelton, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor at USF College of Nursing, were on the judges panel to judge student’s posters.

“Marian Hardwick is an astounding USF College of Nursing PhD student and we are proud to have her named a Bob Woodruff Foundation – Jonas Nurse Scholar,” said Cindy L. Munro, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation. “Ms. Hardwick’s research interest in PTSD and sleep dysfunction is closely aligned with the College’s Restore Lives initiative to provide research and education to rehabilitate and restore the lives of veterans, service members and their families.”

Marian J. Hardwick, RN, Bob Woodruff Foundation – Jonas Nurse Scholar

Ms. Hardwick was one of three USF Nursing doctoral students selected as part of the inaugural Jonas Veterans Healthcare Scholars in 2012-2014. Hardwick was awarded a total of $10,000 in funding, over two academic years supporting her research focusing on the study of the interrelationship and pathophysiology of comorbid PTSD and sleep dysfunction. Ms. Hardwick’s faculty mentor is Kevin Kip, PhD, FAHA, Associate Professor and Executive Director for the Research Center at USF College of Nursing.

“This is a huge accomplishment towards my doctoral studies,” Hardwick said. “I am honored I was chosen as a recipient.”

According to a Jonas Foundation press release of January 29, 2013, two foundations with extraordinary expertise and passion for members of the U.S. Armed Forces are teaming to address the most profound effects of the U.S.’s engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan – among the most protracted wars in our nation’s history. The fate of veterans has markedly changed due to modern day medicine and technology, as 90 percent of soldiers survive their injuries and return home with unprecedented psychological and physical health issues. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to equip nurses to address the tremendous health challenges that prevent post-9/11 injured service members from thriving once they return to civilian life.

“The rapid growth of the Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholars Program underscores the value and necessity of this model. The expansion of this highly successful program to meet the specialized needs of veterans was a natural evolution,” said Donald Jonas. “Partnering with the Bob Woodruff Foundation confirms again that we are on the right track to address a dire need. It is our hope that others will join our cause.”

Jonas Center For Nursing Excellence, funded by Barbara Jonas Family Fund, is an organization that offers advance scholarships focusing on leadership, innovation, and partnerships across the philanthropic, business, policy, and education sectors.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation is the nonprofit dedicated to ensuring injured service members and their families are thriving long after they return home co-founded in 2006 by award winning anchor, Bob Woodruff, and his family, whose own experiences inspired them to help make sure our nation’s heroes have access to the high level of support and resources they deserve, for as long as they need it.

RESTORE LIVES at USF Nursing  Research and Education to Rehabilitate and Restore the Lives of Veterans, Service members and their Families directly impacts the lives of veterans and service members. RESTORE LIVES at USF continues to develop life enhancing treatments through nursing research, and educate nurses with the knowledge and skills specific to the needs of treating veterans and service members with innovative solutions like conducting research specific to veteran and military health issues, training nursing leaders within military, and educate nurses at all levels in the special needs of the military, veterans and their families.

The story has also been posted on the USF Health news blog. To read it on there click here.

Cecile A. Lengacher, RN, PhD, FAAN and Carly Paterson (L to R)

“To be the recipient of this funding is a great honor for me as well as a positive starting point in my research career,” Paterson said. “Also, this will provide the opportunity to advance the scientific knowledge and ultimately inform practice to improve the quality of life of younger breast cancer survivors.”

Paterson, who is now a Predoctoral Fellow in Nursing Research at USF Nursing, will use the funds to support her predoctoral training including tuition assistance, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and funds to attend two conferences per year.

Paterson’s project builds on and complements the National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded MBSR Symptom Cluster Trial for Breast Cancer Survivors research study led by Cecile A. Lengacher, RN, PhD, FAAN,  Professor and Program Director for BS-PhD at USF College of Nursing. Dr. Lengacher is the sponsor and mentor for Paterson’s research project.

“We are very proud that Carly Paterson was awarded the NRSA,” Dr. Lengacher said. “Her fellowship is a very high honor for not only the student, but the College of Nursing. This award is very important for the College from two perspectives; it raises the amount of national research funding attained from the National Institutes for Health, and moves the college forward in attainment of its strategic goals, by building scholarship and research in the doctoral program, and leadership among faculty.”

NRSA funding is provided by NINR, which is part of  National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NINR funding supports and trains future behavioral, biological, and bio-behavioral nurse scientists committed to research careers in scientific health-related fields. NINR gives this distinguished award to outstanding nursing doctoral students, who are committed to research careers and training for the future generation of nurse scientists. The institute also gives the award to outstanding institutions that have nurse scientists to support the student’s research.

“This funding is evidence that the USF College of Nursing is a research training environment that the NINR determined was exemplary, which is an imperative component of the NRSA application as well as an attractive aspect of the school and the PhD program for potential graduate students,” Paterson said.

Paterson’s accomplishments include being awarded a  2012-2014 Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholar Program Scholarship.