Don’t you love the beginning of the school year, when all the possibilities are stretched out before us and crisp fall weather is in the air? We have begun the academic year with all the invigoration and energy one would expect!
We kicked it off with an amazing Audrey Solberg Smith Endowed Lecture in Teaching Excellence, featuring two wonderful presenters, on the first day of the academic year. Stephanie Gedzyk-Nieman, DNP, assistant clinical professor at Duke University School of Nursing, and Mark Hand, PhD, professor at East Carolina University, presented “Improving LGBTQ+ Health Equity Via Nursing Education.” Their focused and thought-provoking comments provided many new ideas and wonderful expansions of things we are currently doing. It was a great way to begin the year.
We also recently completed a research retreat, hosted by Michele Balas, PhD, and her team in the Niedfelt Nursing Research Center. Shirley Moore, PhD, Edward J. & Louise Mellen Professor Emerita from the Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing, joined the group and helped us envision research excellence for the future using an appreciative inquiry approach.
Then on Sept. 16, the team on the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Resiliency Grant, led by Alyson Hanish, PhD, hosted their “Heal the Healers Summit,” which was a half-day virtual event that focused on wellbeing and resilience in the nursing and behavioral health workforces. This was a collaborative effort with the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska and the Nebraska Center for Nursing. I had the privilege of providing the opening remarks, followed by Carrie Howton, PhD; Alison DeLizza, PhD; and Sarah Richards, MD. I enjoyed it immensely and am delighted by the enthusiasm the more than 200 participants shared in the chat comments and questions. This grant was funded earlier this year, so getting a major workshop off the ground that quickly was an incredible accomplishment. Kudos to the UNMC College of Nursing Continuing Nursing Education office for all they did to make this a reality!
In addition to these special events, the biggest accomplishment has been helping new students get started and continuing students to begin a new semester. The behind-the-scenes work by faculty and staff in every one of our programs is extraordinary. Whether it is finalizing syllabi, completing clinical schedules, ensuring completion of immunizations and the many compliances necessary in today’s world or encouraging students at the beginning of the semester, it all adds up to contribute to students’ success. Similarly, maintaining momentum on research projects and faculty practice require real dedication and focus.
Thank you to everyone for the many ways you ensure that we meet our shared mission and vision! And now, let’s enjoy the 2022-23 academic year!
Julie Sebastian, PhD
Dean and Professor, UNMC College of Nursing