The Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies

It is summer time and the living is easy. At

least it is supposed to be a relaxing time. Here in

the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and

Health Studies, everything is going at top speed. It

was a banner year and proud year for the School

and faculty members. The Pre-licensure BSN

and Physician Assistant programs completed their

first year. We graduated close to 150 students in

May from our Health Studies, Health Studies/

Physician Education, and Nursing programs. Con-

gratulations to our graduates. We received official

notification from the Commission on Collegiate

Nursing Education that we achieved reaccreditation

of our BSN, MSN programs, and Post-Graduate APRN

certificate for 10 years. Next visit is in 2025! I want

to thank everyone who was involved in the reac-

creditation process. Working together, we all made

it happen.

The new nursing skills laboratory located in

Birch Hall is buzzing with activity. Classes are be-

ing held, new human–patient simulators are being

delivered, and faculty are working together to pre-

pare for fall courses. The Doctor of Nursing Practice

(DNP) program has a new look and feel. Dr. Cira

Fraser has been appointed as the Director of the

DNP program. The DNP program now offers a 36-

credit curriculum that prepares nursing leaders who

will improve healthcare outcomes in a variety of

settings. Enrollment is open to RNs who have a MSN

from an accredited institution. Our DNP program

has been revised to emphasize the expanding lead-

ership roles found in nursing today. A more student-

friendly approach is seen with our totally online set-

ting allowing students to take one or two courses a

semester in order to balance work and family

life. Dr. Collen Manzetti has also been appointed as

the Academic Liaison to the DNP program.

Please continue reading this Newsletter. It

contains school accomplishments, continuing educa-

tion programs, pictures, and milestones. Stay

engaged. Consider coming to campus to enjoy a

seminar, athletic event, or the arts.

Janet Mahoney, Dean

Volume 16, Issue 2 July, 2015

“May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going,

and the insight to know when you have gone too far.” - Irish Blessing

Page 2

Staci R. Andrews, PhD (Lecturer-Health and Physical Education) successfully defended her dissertation in May, and a PhD in Physical Education will be conferred August 1st, 2015. She gave the following Professional Presentations with HEPE, K-12 Monmouth students at the NJAHPERD Convention, Long Branch, NJ. In Feb 2015, with Skolka, C., & Fersini, S. “Best practices to promote physical activities in after-school programs” and with Kinsella, M., & Kinghorn, R. “Writing an effective physical education philosophy

statement.”

Andrews, S. R., Bean, L., & Toohey, H. (February 2015). Promoting physical activities in after-school

programs. SHAPE America Eastern District Convention, Springfield, MA.

Andrews, S. R. (2015). Emotional control and instructional effectiveness: Maximizing a timeout.

Strategies, 28(2), 33-37. Andrews, S. R. (2014). The relationship of emotional intelligence and coaching behaviors. Research

Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 85(sup1), A-105-A-106. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2014 .948745 Deborah Ewtushek, MSN, MS, RN, CSN, (Director of Clinical Placement) received Ocean County Teacher

of the Year from the Governor's Teacher Recognition Program at Memorial Middle School in Point Pleasant. Deb wears many hats in addition to her work at MU, she is a School Nurse and teaches health!

Cira Fraser PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, (Professor and Graduate Faculty, Director of DNP Program) Fraser, C. & Keating, M. (2014). The effect of a creative art program on self-esteem, hope, perceived social support and self-efficacy in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study. Journal of Neuroscience

Nursing, 46(6), 330-336. Beth Gough, MSN, RN, joined the Nursing Department as the Skills Lab Coordinator for the Pre-licensure BSN program. She will be demonstrating skills to the students, offering practice time in the lab, evaluating their specific skills and assisting with simulations. Beth received her diploma from Ann May School of Nursing in Neptune, NJ, then her BSN and MSN at Monmouth University.

She has worked as an Adjunct Nursing Professor and Adjunct Nursing Lab Instructor at Brookdale Community College since 2002. She also worked as an Adjunct Professor at New Jersey City University teaching Community Nursing Courses, Clinical, and Health Assessment. Beth mentions that she was

excited to come back to Monmouth University. “As an alumna I have always loved MU. I was really excited to learn that the School was starting a pre-licensure BSN program.” She looks forward to watching the nursing skills and simulation lab grow and develop into a high tech learning environment for students to develop and enhance their skills before heading to their clinical sites. Beth is a NJ native from Atlantic Highlands and a mom of three. Two of her children and husband enjoy racing BMX, and her other son is a boy scout. Their family has rescued two pit bulls, Rocco and Rudy. She also enjoys hiking, yoga, and reading.

Chris Hirschler, PhD, MCHES (Assistant Professor-Health and Physical Education, Study Abroad Faculty

Director) Hirschler, C. (2015). How ‘sustainable’ universities can decrease the carbon footprint of study abroad programs. One Green Planet. He gave a podium presentation on “Effective Methods for Delivering Wellness Education” at the National Wellness Conference in Minnesota, June, 2015. He also took part in a peer reviewed presentation on “Faculty-led service learning: optimizing student and host community

members’ experience at the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors.”

School Milestones

Page 3 School Milestones

Barbara Johnston, PhD, RN, CNE (Professor and Hess Endowed Chair) was awarded the Nurse Faculty Loan Program HRSA grant of $149,000.00 that provides scholarship support to students pursing an advanced

degree in Nursing Education.

Rose Knapp, DNP, RN, APN (Assistant Professor and ANP Coordinator Nursing) gave a number of presen-tations this Spring, In April, to the New York City Geriatric Consortium “Medication management in the old-er adult" and the New Jersey Hospital Association Program Nurse Practitioners in Long Term Care "The Nurse Practitioner's scope of practice in NJ". In June she presented a 12-week webinar for the ANCC Acute

Care Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Review Series.

James F. Konopack, PhD (Associate Dean) - was co-presenter on Health Studies Honors student Jess Calabro's thesis: Calabro, J. A., & Konopack, J. F. (2015). The walkability of synagogue communities in New Jersey: A GIS analysis. Poster presented at the Active Living Research Conference, San Diego, CA.

Jamie Myers, PhD, MPH - (Assistant Professor Health and Physical Education) Myers, J. L. , Buhi, E. R., Marhefka, S., Daley, E., & Dedrick, R. (2015). Associations between individual and relationship characteristics and genital herpes disclosure. Journal of Health Psychology. Advanced

online publication.

Cheryl Leiningen, DNP, RN, APN-C (Assistant Professor Nursing) & Laura Kelly PhD, APN (Associate Pro-fessor Nursing) gave a podium presentation at the Advanced Practice Nursing Conference, Care Through the Ages on "LGBT health, what I wish they would have taught me in nursing school” April, 2015 at the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota. Leiningen also presented on “Bullying and its impact on the nursing profession.” at Lambda Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Annual Research Day Event, April, 2015 at Mon-

mouth University.

Mary Stern, PA-C, M.Ed. (Specialist Professor and Academic Coordi-nator Physician Assistant Program) Mary began her education at St. Francis University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree as a Physician Assistant. She continued her education at Rutgers Uni-versity where she studied philosophy of education and received her M.Ed. Her first job as a physician assistant was in a family practice clinic located in a housing project in the South Bronx. Mary commented “The clinic provided a safe and welcoming environment for people in the community. The staff and patients taught me about the rewards of providing compassionate care. I look back on that wonderful first expe-

rience.” She also worked in pediatrics and neonatology as a PA in lower Manhat-tan which gave her the experience to later work in a pediatric cardiolo-gy post–op ICU at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. There she collaborated with PICU nurses, pediatric cardiolo-gists, Physician Assistants fellows and cardiothoracic surgeons and remembers it as “very stimulating with wonderful people who were focused on the best outcome for children with congenital heart disease.” Her teaching career began at UMDNJ-Rutgers, as an Assistant Clinical Professor. Mary is enjoying her work as the academic coordinator in the newly implemented PA Program. “It’s exciting to see plans come to life as the inaugural class of students complete their first year in the program. The work continues as the pro-gram grows and develops.” During free time she enjoys being with her husband and 2 teenage sons. Mary

likes to cook, travel and enjoys pilates and modern dancing.

Patricia Sciscione, PhD, RN, CSN (Specialist Professor Nursing) presented “The experience of having pri-mary caregiving responsibilities of an adult with Down Syndrome” Lambda Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Annual Research Day Event, April, 2015 at Monmouth University.

Page 4 Best Wishes to the Nursing Degree and Certificate Recipients!

* Bachelor of Science Anita Acosta

* Master of Science Keilynn Alicea Jessica Arnold Marie Paz Basinang Inna Belenson LaTanyua Blackwell Kate Boskey Colleen Burns Tina Butkiewicz Krystal Casayuran Suman Cherian Guyolette Chery

Cullen Chiu Asha Cilly Charlotte Cole Alison DaPonte Ida DeSimone Imee Dhir Cherry Dizon Michelle Donohoe Suzanne Emanueli Lisa Genova Melisa Grant Katherine Grasso Irena Hartell Catherine Hoch Willa Hope

Fatima Ibrahim Khalilah James Kimberly Jobes Mini Jomartin Jennifer Kean Carmen Manzo-Goral Yale Markus Margie McDonald Neha Mistry Anjum Mohammad Aishwarya Nair Joan O’Leary Susan Omoregie Melissa Pauline Joanne Peterson

Debrann Petrizzo Emily Phillips Pamela Quirk

Shontal Raffington Rebecca Reiff Grace Schoonmaker Jaqueline Stephens Syceria Stephens Laura Suhan Caitlin Tumminelli Vathveal Van Gerdina Van Der Wal Deborah Verbos Geralda Vilus Nicole Winterhalter Liqin Zhang

The New Doctors (DNP) in the House!

Dr. Adebola Adeleye Dr. Crystal Baker Dr. Lori Colineri Dr. Allan Guerra

Dr. Maria Maiaroto Dr. Catherine Stevens Dr. Soffy Vilson Dr. Bonnie Walker

Patricia Brogan Jennifer Esena

Cheryl Phoenix Hazel Dennison

Sally Isaacs

Post Masters Certificate in Adult and Family Advanced Practice

Academic Excellence Awards

Allan Guerra - DNP Academic Excellence Award Yale Markus - MSN Academic Excellence Award Christina Palmeri - BSN Academic Excellence Award (Summer ~ 2014)

Lucy Craig Carolyn Delp Alyse Rubin

Karen Gordon Amanda Haring Pat Raphael

Jacki Szenzenstein Joan White

School Nurse Certificates – Issued by the NJ Department of Education

Page 5

A Nursing Program Update - Submitted by Laura Jannone, EdD, RN, NJ-CSN, FNASN, Chair, Associate Professor & Coordinator of the School Nurse Program The spring was such a wonderful time on campus as we celebrated our students graduating, receiving grad-uate, post master certificates and awards. In May, we honored our preceptors and graduating students at a reception held in the historic Wilson Hall. Our preceptors play a critical role in preparing students for practice; several who attended have been working with Monmouth University Students for over a decade. They leave a legacy. This year the preceptor of the year awards were selected from student nominations.

Congratulations to Richard Mojares, MD, FAANP, Larissa Lobato, APN-C, and Dr. Rocel Besa! We are looking forward to an exciting, busy fall semester. There will be thirty new pre-licensure students arriving and the other nursing programs have strong enrollment. Also we are excited about our redesigned DNP program opening in January under the leadership of Dr. Cira Fraser and Dr. Colleen Manzetti. The new

program will be totally on-line. We wish you all a relaxing and fun summer!

Greetings from Birch Hall - Submitted by Christina McSherry, PhD, RN, CNE, Academic Coordinator Pre-licensure

BSN Program Our inaugural pre-licensure BSN students have just completed their first academic year. In addition to ac-ademic work, an early focus is on building clinical skills and professional behaviors. Mentoring opportuni-ties have been provided through networking, having speakers, and having lunch meetings with practicing nurses. We welcome the nursing community to contribute their expertise and experiences as our students progress through the program. We continue to integrate technology into the nursing program. Our new hu-

man–patient simulator (Nursing Annie) with Sim–pad technology has just arrived. The new Nursing Skills Lab Coordinator, Beth Gough MSN, RN, and I wish to express our appreciation to all of the people who worked very hard to get our nursing skills lab up and running for the spring 2015 semes-ter. The students are utilizing all aspects of the building which is a bright, comfortable space for our new

pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing program with room to grow.

36 Credit program that prepares nursing leaders who will improve health care outcomes Focus is on healthcare leadership Practicum experience and capstone

project synthesize and integrate learning Part time program offered online Choice of taking one or two courses a

semester (fall, spring, and summer) Distinguished faculty and individualized

mentoring for capstone project

http://monmouth.edu/school-of-nursing-health/

doctor-of-nursing-practice-(dnp).aspx

THE DNP—Take a closer look! Monmouth University Professional Nurses Associa-

tion (MUPNA) Submitted by Keilynn M. Alicea MSN, RN

(Past President) MUPNA held its Annual Spring Social on April 10th which featured two exciting guest speakers, Tom Ciancia, RN and David Schnabel, BSN, RN who discussed the various roles and ways to start a careers in nursing. Mr. Ciancia is an Emergency Department Registered Nurse at Monmouth Medical Center. Mr. Schnabel is a Pediatric Cardiac ICU Registered Nurse at New York Columbia Presbyterian-University Medical Center and NIGH United Nations DPI NGO Representative. The pre-licensure BSN attendees had the opportunity to engage in a question and answer session to learn about the different ways nurses network and opportunities outside of the traditional healthcare role. Finally, as another school year has ended it is time for the 2014 - 2015 board members to exchange roles. The MUPNA Board for 2015-2016, will be Miranda Kon-stantinides for President, Kim Thompson for Vice Presi-dent, Shannon Averill for Secretary, Professor Kathy Flem-ming and Deb Ewtushek will continue as faculty advisors.

Congratulations and much success in the upcoming year.

Page 6 Congratulations to Health and Physical Education Grads!

Bachelors of Science in Health Studies

Colleen Applegate

Jonathan Arias Thomas Beaufort

Jessica Calabro Marcelle Chevriere-Dibiasi

Christopher Ciasullo

Lindsay Clayton Michael D’Averso

Jaclyn Dilts Brianna Dunlap

Alexandra Evangelista

Bridget Fallon

Jennifer Farkas Jenna Feldman

Alexa Ferreira Christeen Flavien

Katherine Frye

Brianna Grassi Samantha Hermans

Jessica Intromasso Trevor Jacobs

Elizabeth Jordan

Brittany Jost

Brittany Kaminski Caroline Keating

Megan Langrehr Victoria LaVigne

Jacqueline Leming

Corinne Loeser Eric Macik

Jennifer McHugh Danielle Morgen

Mark Muzones

Joseph Negrey

Lauren O’Neill Alyssa Parsons

Christina Politis Kimberly Price

Lauren Santanello

Analis Sasala Stacey Schoenewald

Dana-Lynn Waggner Thomas Zaslavsky

Bachelors of Science in Health and Physical Education

Alexandra Baca

Taylor Bernstein Stephen Bonora

Khari Bowen Ronald Brown

Matthew Buccino

Alexandra Buonincontri Kimberly Clemmer

Drew Corrigan Reid Doney

Gina Doto

Samantha Fersini Megan Goldstein

David Grzybacz Jordan Guest

Kerrin Haganey

Stephanie Hamilton Ryan Hawke

Alex Hershman Lauryn Huban

Christopher Kelly

Ryan Kinghorn Michael Kinsella

Jessica Kinsley Justin Koodish

Jake Magenheim

Danielle Murray Christina Nied

Stevyn Norkus Kelsey Rinear

Jacob Rubinstein

Amanda Schoenfeld Vincent Shockley

Breanna Sniffen Christopher Spinella

Alec Stabile

Neal Sterling Erica Tenpenny

Miguel Rios Valencia

Congratulations to Recipients of the 2015 Student Awards!

Kimberly Clemmer - Academic Excellence

Award in Health and Physical Education Alexandra Evangelista - Academic Excel-

lence Award in Health Studies

Samantha Fersini - Academic Excellence Award in Health and Physical Education

with K-12 Education Endorsement Christopher Kelly - Department of Health

and Physical Education Leadership Award

Page 7

Interdisciplinary Gerontology Certificates were awarded to the following graduates:

Samantha Hermans Brittany Jost Caroline Keating

Megan Langrehr Lauren O’Neill

Kimberly Price Kim Steiner

UPDATE FROM ETA SIGMA GAMMA Submitted by Chrissie Nied Another school year has flown by and Eta Sigma Gamma, the National Health Education Honor Society, has accomplished a great deal of health promotion activities. These ac-tivities have helped our current and newly inducted members, as well as other students and faculty, to gain knowledge about a variety of health topics. Each month, health promotion bulletin boards were creat-ed to spread awareness about health issues such as the harmful effects of smoking, breast cancer, sun pro-tection, and several others. A CPR certification course was offered in February, which is a great skill to have, especially for members working in the health field. Blood drives were held by our volunteer mem-bers who were able to recruit significant numbers of donors, even on a day with a delayed opening from the snow! The major event of the year was Relay for Life, in which the Health and Physical Education team

was able to raise $1,561. On April 8, fifteen new students were inducted into the Eta Sigma Gamma, Epsilon Gamma Chap-ter: Priali Abah, Zara Joseph, Caroline Keating, Joelle Altomare, Jenna Feldman, Stella Kim, Brogan Savage, Carly Thompson, Brooke Frey, Jennifer Lee, Trever Carpenter, Kristen Harger, Lauryn Huban, Dana LaSala, and Michael Strange were inducted. Our officers, President Christina Nied, Co-Vice Presidents Jaclyn Dilts and Stacey Schoenewald, and Secretary Jessica Deak, con-tributed much of their time and effort into mak-

ing these events a success. Thanks to Dr. Andrea Hope, Faculty Advisor.

News from the Department of Health & Physical Education Submitted by Jim Konopack, PhD, Associate Dean Congratulations! Whether you’re a student, alum, professor, employee, friend or family member – or per-haps a combination of these – we know you’ve been working hard and doing great things. As alumni, you are advancing in your fields or continuing your education and are making the world a better place, includ-ing our most recent alumni who graduated in May and deserve extra recognition. Continuing students are enjoying summer after a rigorous spring semester but are also working, completing an internship, taking a class or two, studying abroad, or doing any number of amazing things. Professors are reading, writing, col-lecting and analyzing data, teaching, and practicing in their fields. University employees are working hard to enhance our programs and give students the best university experience we can. And friends and family are helping us all pursue our passions and maintain balance. I know that last part is true for me, at least. Whatever you’re up to, I hope you’ll continue to strengthen our community and stay connected with one another. And if you’re curious what others are up to or would like to share your own news and accomplish-

ments, check out the School of Nursing & Health Studies on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NursingandHealth.at.MU

https://

www.facebook.com/

NursingandHealth.at

.MU

The Marjorie K. Unterberg

School of Nursing

and Health Studies

McAllan Hall

400 Cedar Ave

West Long, NJ 07764

Phone: 732 571 3443

Fax: 732 263 5131

Please feel free to connect

with the School of Nursing

and Health Studies.

Alumni—we would like to

hear your news and

accomplishments !

Reach out to:

Barbara Paskewich

bpaskewi@monmouth.edu

Or find us on the web.

Physician Assistant Program Update – Carol Biscardi, PA-C, PhD The PA Program completed its first year! The faculty and I are grateful for the dedicated students in our inaugural class that worked hard to make the first year successful. The Class of 2017 will return in August to complete two more courses before beginning their clinical clerkships in October. Again, we are grateful to the clinical sites who are involved with the clinical education of our students. Our program’s primary care approach will have students rotate through the areas of internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, emergency medicine, geriatrics, and family medicine sites. They will complete these clerkships over the next 18 months. This past year we also prepared for our next incoming class; the faculty reviewed over 400 applications and interviewed 180 applicants for 25 seats. Our next ad-mission cycle opens July 1 and we anticipate seeing a similar number of applicants though our class size will reach its maximum (during our Accreditation-Provisional status) of 30 students.

PA Student Society News – Deanna Lapp, PA-S, President MUPASS The Monmouth University Physician Assistant Student Society (MUPASS) is complet-ing its first semester as a fully functioning Monmouth University student-run club as well as a state and nationally recognized professional body by the New Jersey State Society of Physician Assistants and the Student Academy of American Acade-my of Physician Assistants (SA-AAPA), respectively. This summer MUPASS is sending representatives to the annual conference of the AAPA in San Francisco, CA! This event promises to be an excellent platform for networking and professional devel-opment for the second-year students. Students will participate in the Students’ Assembly of Representatives and graduate PAs House of Delegate meetings. In ad-dition to traveling to California, MUPASS will devote some of the summer to plan a welcome for the incoming first-year students. We are working on some ice-breaker activities and developing a mentor-mentee program. In the fall, MUPASS plans to formally open membership to the whole MU community so that others can learn

about PA student life and how they too can be a future PA!

Mark Your Calendar! September 8—classes begin!

The Center for Professional Development has some upcoming events! August 12, (2-4:30) - Writing Research Papers/APA Style Aug 20 & 21 (8:30-5:30) - Adult/Adolescent (Forensic Examiner) Clinical skills September 30-Oct 14 (online) - Prescribing Controlled Substances in NJ Check our website for registration details and our fall programs! http://www.monmouth.edu/school-nursing-health/Continuing-Education-Programs.aspx

The Lambda Delta Chapter of STTI— will conduct meetings on the first Monday of each month at 5:30pm with the exception of holidays when the meeting will be moved to the following week: September 14, October 5, November 2,

December 7.