University of South Florida College of Nursing alum, Jean Aertker, DNP, ARNP-BC, COHN-S, FAANP, ’80, was elected the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Region 11 Director. Dr. Aertker was appointed for two years to lead AANP members in region 11, which includes Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and the Caribbean U.S. Territories.

“I am the Liaison between the states and the full board of the AANP,” Dr. Aertker said. “This role involves supporting the states, and promoting the annual nurse practitioner (NP) advocate and NP of the year awards. This role is to educate and inform individuals, legislators, and groups about our profession and how we are working to improve healthcare access and provide the highest quality of health care as dedicated leaders in the health care system.”

AANP, an organization that has more than 40 thousand members, leads NPs in transforming patient-centered health care. The organization’s vision is to also provide high quality health care for all by patient’s provider choice.

“Our goal is to have 100 percent participation of all advanced practice nurses belonging to our national organization that continues to advocate and promote our role in health care,” Dr. Aertker said. “USF College of Nursing is a major educational leader in Florida preparing nurses for our advanced practice role. I was a faculty member at USF College of Nursing teaching NPs when the AANP began, and have watched our presence in healthcare grow to provide care in so many areas, especially rural and underserved areas to expanding into highly specialized medical care. The need for Advanced Practice Nurses is being met by our great USF College of Nursing as we face a looming dilemma of projected shortage of primary care providers around the nation and especially here in Florida.”

Dr. Aerkter is the owner of Tampa Occupational Health Services, which has been providing employee health and wellness services for more than 16 years. She always stays involved with USF and the USF College of Nursing. She is currently a member of the USF College of Nursing Dean’s new Advisory  Council, and is also the USF Nursing’s Cabinet Chair for the USF Unstoppable Campaign.

(Right to Left). USF College of Nursing alum, Dr. Jean Aertker, talking to USF College of Nursing Communications Specialist, Vjollca Hysenlika, during the College’s Coming Home celebration on Feb. 16, 2013

Dr. Aertker has been a great advocate for Nurse Practitioners to help bring recognition to the profession locally and regionally. In 2009, she was inducted as an AANP Fellow for the difference she has made in the profession over the years. “We have so much talent and expertise in nursing and our advanced nurse practitioners are doing so much now with alliances and partnering to create a better health care delivery system,” she said.

“NPs have been providing primary, acute and specialty healthcare to patients of all ages and walks of life for nearly half a century, starting in 1965,” Dr. Aertker continued. “NPs assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and initiate and manage treatment plans – including prescribing medications. While each state has its own particular rules and laws regarding the practice of all health professionals, NPs are working to educate all to help us remove unnecessary practice barriers, in Florida particularly, that can potentially impact and delay patient care. NPs are the healthcare providers of choice for millions of patients. An NP is truly your partner in health.”

Dr. Aertker will be introduced as the new Regional 11 Director at AANP’s Annual Convention in las Vegas, Nevada being held June 19 through June 23, 2013.

For additional information on Dr. Aertker’s appointment visit the AANP website here.

University of South Florida College of Nursing Professor and Director of the BS-PhD Program, Cecile A. Lengacher, RN, PhD, FAAN, and her research team presented at the American Psychological Oncology Society’s (APOS) 10^th Annual Conference in Huntington Beach, Calif. on Feb. 14 through Feb. 16, 2013.

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

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease recently invited University of South Florida College of Nursing Professor, Theresa Beckie, PhD, RN, FAHA, to serve on the organization’s Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) headquartered in Washington, D.C. As a leader in women’s cardiovascular research, and her longtime advocacy for women with heart disease, Dr. Beckie will provide input on public policy issues, educational programs, research initiatives and corporate partnerships.

“It is an honor to be invited to join such a prestigious organization, and work with distinguished colleagues that have made a great impact in the field of women’s heart health,” Dr. Beckie said. “As a SAC member I will provide input into research initiatives and clinical practice guidelines. Undoubtedly, this will in turn bring visibility to the scholarship that is taking place at the USF College of Nursing.”

Dr. Beckie will join nationally renowned colleagues on the SAC including the Chief of Cardiology for Grady Memorial Hospital, Nanette Wenger, MD, MACC, MACP, FAHA, the Director of Women’s Cardiovascular Services for UCSF Medical Center, Rita Redberg, MD, MSc, FACC, and the Director of Women’s Heart Center for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD. This distinguished group of nationally known experts in the field of women’s health help provide the organization with credibility among key constituencies including health care providers, Members of Congress, other policy makers, and most importantly, among the women living with heart disease.

Dr. Beckie has been studying heart disease in women for decades. She completed a National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) funded study that offered a cutting-edge, individualized approach to cardiac rehabilitation for women. In a randomized clinical trial, the motivationally-tailored program resulted in reduced depressive symptoms and improved quality of life in women completing their innovative program compared to women attending traditional cardiac rehabilitation. She has also examined the interactions between environmental exposures and genetic risk factors in women with heart disease. She is particularly interested in examining heart disease in young women from a psychoneuroimmunological perspective. Dr. Beckie’s research interests include secondary prevention, behavior change interventions, and genetic-environment interactions that influence women’s cardiovascular health.

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, which was founded in 1999 by three women who had heart attacks while in their 40s, is the only national patient-centered organization that focuses exclusively on women’s heart disease, according to the WomenHeart.org. For more than 14 years, the organization has provided education, support and hope to millions of women to ensure that every woman has access to prevention and early detection, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, according to its website.

Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Senior Associate Vice President of USF Health and Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida, was named Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2012 Health Care Heroes “Health Care Educator” category winner. Dr. Morrison-Beedy was honored with the distinguished award at the 2012 Health Care Heroes Awards ceremony at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

“I am honored to have been named winner of the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2012 Health Care Heroes Educator,” said Dr. Morrison-Beedy. “It is indeed a privilege to be distinguished by the Tampa Bay Business Journal from the many Health Care Heroes in our community for my role as a nurse educator and Dean of the USF College of Nursing. This recognition highlights the impact of the College of Nursing’s contributions to improving the healthcare and well-being of the Tampa Bay region.”

Tampa Bay Business Journal recognized Dr. Morrison-Beedy for the tremendous impact she’s made in health care as an educator, researcher in HIV/AIDS prevention in adolescent girls, a women’s health nurse practitioner, and health care leader in the Tampa Bay area. She was chosen from a group of five finalists for the Healthcare Hero Educator category based on her many awards and accomplishments; her contributions to the University of South Florida and the community; her personal motivation to choose a healthcare career; and her mission to increase awareness of the complexity and multi-faceted nature of nursing.

Dr. Morrison-Beedy is the first nursing leader to be named Healthcare Hero Educator, and one of only a few ever chosen in any category since the Tampa Bay Business Journal began the awards in 2006. Underscoring the importance of the College of Nursing to the University of South Florida and throughout the Tampa Bay community, Dr. Morrison-Beedy joins past USF luminaries as Healthcare Hero Educator including Dr. John Sinnott (2011), Dr. Steven Klasko (2007) and Dr. Kay Perrin (2006).

USF Nursing Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, (center) posing with husband Michael and colleagues from the USF College of Nursing.

The USF College of Nursing has seen unprecedented growth under Dr. Morrison-Beedy’s leadership as Dean. In less than 2 years the College’s National Institute of Health research ranking has increased from 66th to 25th in the nation. The college has added a first of its kind in the nation program for Registered Nurses to complete their baccalaureate degrees and prepare for graduate education, increased enrollment of undergraduate students despite shrinking budgets to address community and national need, increased enrollment in graduate programs that prepare future nurse faculty and primary caregivers addressing shortages in both areas, and added new clinical tracks to meet the healthcare demands of the Tampa Bay area. She has received national recognition for the college’s work and collaborations in research and education to address military and veteran’s health. In April 2012, Dr. Morrison-Beedy was one of a select group invited to take part in the Joining Forces Nursing Summit with First Lady Michelle Obama, where nursing leaders set direction for the profession to address healthcare issues of the nation’s veterans. In a time of significant faculty nursing shortages, Dr. Morrison-Beedy has retained and recruited  world class faculty who will educate the next generation of nurse leaders; this is the most successful recruitment of faculty of any college of nursing in the nation. Dr. Morrison-Beedy has served at the national level on committees and task forces as a nursing education representative. She has tirelessly lobbied for nursing and healthcare at the state and the national level, and promoted nursing globally to promote partnerships in countries such as China, Ghana, Panama and the United Kingdom.  Most recently Dr. Morrison-Beedy was honored as a charter class member of the AACN-Wharton Executive Leadership Program and as a member of Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2013.

The finalists and winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges out of a total of 200 nominations. Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2012 Health Care Heroes Awards recognize 11 individuals who have a significant impact on the quality of health care in their community, and have dedicated their lives to helping others.

Dr. Michael Flannery, USF Morsani College of Medicine professor, was honored with a special award from the judges for his work directing the USF Internal Medicine Residency. He remains active at USF although he’s been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

For a complete list of the winners read TBBJ’s 2012 Health Care Heroes winners named.

For more information about 2012 Health Care Heroes Awards ceremony visit the Tampa Bay Business Journal and read about the 2012 Health Care Heroes Awards.

Related story: USF Nursing Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy Named a Tampa Bay Business Journal 2012 Health Care Heroes Awards Finalist

Cindy S. Tofthagen, PhD, ARNP, AOCNP, Assistant Professor and Concentration Director for Oncology at the University of South Florida College of Nursing, hosted a live Facebook chat on Neuropathy Association’s Facebook Page focusing on chemotherapy-induced neuropathy on August 22, 2012. Dr. Tofthagen is a member of the Neuropathy Association’s Neuropathic Pain Management Medical Advisory Council leading a Neuropathy Association support group in Tampa, Fla. to help people with neuropathy and their families better understand the disease.

During the Facebook chat, Dr. Tofthagen dedicated her time and expertise to talk to Facebook fans and raise awareness about chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. She also discussed the neuropathy epidemic and the uphill battle for both patients and physicians.

“As a chronic illness, neuropathy affects the whole person,” said Dr. Tofthagen during the Facebook chat. “No matter what part of your life is affected by neuropathy, it is important to seek help.”

To view Dr. Tofthagen’s full conversation visit Neuropathy Association’s Facebook Page at “http://www.facebook.com/NeuropathyAssociation.”

University of South Florida College of Nursing Senior Associate Vice President of USF Health, and Dean of the College of Nursing, Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, is one of 37 nurse educators from 25 states in the inaugural class of nursing deans and senior faculty leaders selected to participate in the new American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) -Wharton Executive Leadership Program. USF is the only Florida university and 1 of only 12 schools of nursing ranked in research funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for fiscal year 2011, participating in the program.

Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN

Scheduled for August 14-17, 2012 at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, this world-class enrichment program is designed exclusively for top academic leaders in nursing.

“AACN is pleased to welcome our first class of nursing leaders who represent a broad, geographically diverse mix of educational programs, including large academic health centers, public and private institutions, and small specialized schools of nursing,” said AACN President Jane Kirschling. “Fortified with a new layer of leadership expertise, those completing the program will be well-prepared to make a lasting impact on how nurses are educated and how they practice.”

The following individuals comprise the 2012 cohort for the AACN-Wharton Executive Leadership Program:

• Lazelle Benefield, Dean, College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
• Audrey Berman, Dean, School of Nursing, Samuel Merritt University (CA)
• Devon Berry, Director of Innovations and Community Partnerships, Wright State University (OH)
• Lenora Campbell, Associate Dean, Winston Salem State University (NC)
• Ann Cary, Director, School of Nursing, Loyola University New Orleans (LA)
• Daisy Cruz-Richman, Dean, College of Nursing, SUNY Downstate Medical Center (NY)
• Debra Davis, Dean, College of Nursing, University of South Alabama
• Judy Didion, Dean, College of Nursing, Lourdes University (OH)
• Dorrie Fontaine, Dean, School of Nursing, University of Virginia
• Rita Frantz, Dean, College of Nursing, The University of Iowa
• Lorraine Frazier, Dean, College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• Carla Gross, Department Chair, Nursing, North Dakota State University
• Phyllis S. Hansell, Dean, College of Nursing, Seton Hall University (NJ)
• Marcia Hern, Dean, School of Nursing, University of Louisville (KY)
• Karen Karlowicz, Chairperson, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University (VA)
• Judith F. Karshmer, Dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions, University of San Francisco (CA)
• Marsha Lewis, Dean, School of Nursing, University at Buffalo (NY)
• Krista M. Meinersmann, Director, School of Nursing, University of Southern Maine
• Helen Melland, Dean, College of Nursing, Montana State University
• Pamela Mitchell, Interim Dean, School of Nursing, University of Washington
• Dianne Morrison-Beedy, Dean, College of Nursing, University of South Florida
• Nina Ouimette, Dean, Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing (TX)
• Demetrius James Porche, Dean, School of Nursing, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
• Rosanne Pruitt, Director, School of Nursing, Clemson University (SC)
• Sharon Radzyminski, Chair, School of Nursing, Georgia Southern University
• Joanne Robinson, Dean, School of Nursing, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Camden
• Nena F. Sanders, Dean, School of Nursing, Samford University (AL)
• Kerri Schuiling, Dean, School of Nursing, Oakland University (MI)
• Juliann Sebastian, Dean, College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center
• Sandie Soldwisch, Dean, College of Nursing, Resurrection University (IL)
• Mary C. Sullivan, Interim Dean, College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island
• Beth Ann Swan, Dean, School of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University (PA)
• Kristen M. Swanson, Dean, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• David Vlahov, Dean, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco
• Pamela G. Watson, Dean, School of Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch
• Susan Wilkinson, Department Head, Department of Nursing and Rehabilitation Sciences, Angelo State University (TX)
• Barbara Williams, Chairperson, Department of Nursing, University of Central Arkansas

“Though many executive leadership programs are available at top schools like Wharton, none focus exclusively on the needs of nursing deans,” added Dr. Kirschling. “AACN is hopeful that this innovative program will help to amplify nursing’s voice in national conversations about healthcare reform and enhancing patient care.”

For more details on this leadership development program for nurse educators, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/leading-initiatives/aacn-wharton-executive-leadership-program.

Kip, E. K., Swoger, M. J., Grandinetti, M. L., Barrie III, M. A., Greer, B. J., Regueiro, D. M. (2012, June). Protection Versus Risk of Psoriasis with Use of Crohn’s Disease Biologic Agents: An Analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS). Oral presentation at the Society of Epidemiologic Research (SER) Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

University of South Florida College of Nursing master’s student Andrea Ann Wislotsky, RN, BS, was elected as a State Democratic Delegate representing Congressional District #10 in Pinellas County in April 2012 and attended the State Democratic Delegate Convention in June.

Andrea Ann Wislotsky 

While taking Ethical, Legal, and Policy Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing (NGR6737) taught by Sonya Malbrough, DNP, MS, CRNA, Assistant Professor and Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) Concentration Assistant Director, Wislotsky learned the importance of demonstrating leadership in the profession and the necessity of becoming involved with political issues that the Advance Practice Nurse faces on a routine basis.

“The expectation was to become more familiar with the government and policy process so that we as Advanced Practice Nurses would be able to function effectively in the role of “political activist” as well as in the nursing profession, said Wislotsky. ”Daily while working on course work the question crossed my mind, ‘What more can I do to support the profession?’ and as the class progressed so did my ideas of becoming involved socially in politics.”

Dr. Malbrough is proud of Wislotsky for going the extra mile on her course assignments.

“With this opportunity, you will be in a position to speak on behalf of nursing (and specifically nurse practitioners) in the state of Florida,” said Dr. Malbrough.

Wislotsky has been employed at St. Petersburg General Hospital since 2002 and currently works in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). While enrolled in the Bachelor’s program at St. Petersburg College, Wislotsky began to realize that while caring was at the core of the nursing, there was much more than that.

“I chose to further my education in advance practice nursing as a Family Nurse practitioner because I wanted to be a part of promoting health and wellness to members of my community of all ages, said Wislotsky. “After completing my first semester of courses I am confident that I have made the correct career decision. By having the qualifications, which I have achieved through advanced education, I may have the opportunity be a part of the transformation of healthcare in the United States of America.”

Upon graduating from the Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration, she plans to continue serving her community by promoting health and wellness, and hopes to continue her education at USF with a doctorate degree in nursing.

“Higher learning at the University of South Florida in the graduate nursing program has inspired me to work to my fullest capacity as a healthcare professional,” said Wislotskiy. “The College of Nursing has empowered me to be a voice for the profession as a consumer advocate and a political force on current and future healthcare issues.”

Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN, University of South Florida College of Nursing Distinguished Professor and Thompson Professor of Oncology Nursing will mentor USF Nursing PhD ’08 alum, Harleah G. Buck, PhD, RN, CHPN, as part of the National Palliative Care Research Center Junior Faculty Career Development Program.

Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN, Distinguished Professor and Thompson Professor of Oncology Nursing at USF College of Nursing

“I am very happy that she won this very competitive award, but I am not surprised,” McMillan said. “She is one of the up and coming palliative care researchers in the U.S. She won a post-doctoral fellowship at University of Pennsylvania after her graduation from USF, and that set her up for a career as a nurse scientist.”

During the National Palliative Care Research Center fellowship, Dr. Buck will examine the relationships between the dyad’s characteristics of mood and perception and their symptom management in a pilot study designed to generate information about the participants, variables, and the strength of the relationships between the variables in a primarily rural, underserved Appalachian population.

“I am delighted to be able to continue my relationship with her,” Dr. McMillan said. “It is always a pleasure to watch someone you have mentored as they continue to excel. We will meet in October at the 2012 National Palliative Care Conference in Park City, Utah to discuss her project, and how I can be most helpful. I will provide whatever kind of support and advice she thinks she needs.”

Through the fellowship, Dr. Buck plans to lay the groundwork for a future study of a dyadically informed symptom management intervention.

Linda S. Blasen, MS, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, Instructor at the University of South Florida College of Nursing, was invited to present on three different topics and support two workshops during the 2012 National Conference for Nurse Practitioners (NCNP) at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, May 16 through May 19.

“It is an honor and privilege to be invited to speak at a national conference,” Blasen said. “It is a reflection of the College of Nursing’s ongoing commitment to the education of nurse practitioner students to have faculty engaged in presenting at the national level.”

Blasen, who has presented locally, regionally and nationally for many years and has an established reputation in the nursing field, presented two, three-hour workshops including Basic Suturing, Beyond the Basics, and Asthma: Evidence-based Guidelines. The presentation on basic structuring provided an opportunity to consider wound evaluation and management for the emerging clinician. Beyond the Basics incorporated approaches to a variety of suturing techniques and anesthesia options. The third presentation on asthma focused on utilizing guidelines to diagnose asthma and employ a stepwise approach to patient care management.

Blasen also supported two workshops during the conference, Common Office Procedures and Joint Aspiration and Injection. She and several others facilitated the setup of the hands-on component for the sessions and taught the process to the participants. Common Office Procedures involved teaching minor procedure skills to perform in the primary care setting such as nail resection and drainage of simple abscesses. During Joint Aspiration and Injection, students were instructed in the various approaches to either drain fluid from a joint or provide a medication injection to manage pain and/or inflammation.

“Attending a large national conference, whether as a participant or a speaker, is a dynamic and engaging experience,” Blasen said. “ It allows us to establish, maintain, and reconnect with other health care professionals in a collegial environment and is an extremely valuable opportunity.”

Other USF Nursing faculty members also presented at the conference including Debra A. Friedrich, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, CLS, Assistant Professor and Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Master’s Concentration, and David Berger, MD, Adjunct Faculty and Clinical Preceptor. Dr. Friedrich presented on Challenging Patients with Dislipidemia, and Dr. Berger presented on Delaying, Deferring and Declining Immunizations.