UWF Usha Kundu, MD College of Health

Ascension Sacred Heart and the University of West Florida (UWF) will begin a strategic initiative that allows 16 upper-level Bachelor of Science in Nursing students to complete the final three semesters of their clinical and classroom time on Sacred Heart Pensacola’s campus. This hands-on experience provides unique opportunities for students to work with vulnerable populations across Northwest Florida and help support community engagement!

Our UWF Industrial-Organizational Psychology graduate team wins at the HR Florida Case Competition... Again! For the past five years, students from UWF have won the graduate division at this competition three times (2019, 2021, 2023). Also, a team of undergraduate students from both Psychology and Management programs competed and came in 2nd place! This interdisciplinary group of students is motivated to send a team next year and battle for the win! (pictured left to right: April Schantz, Milena Franzini, Brianna Miller, Kaleb Libby, William Ballew, and Namrata Lotlikar; not pictured Kaylee Bartee and Nikkie Galvan)

Connect with your UKCOH Advising Team this Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 from 11am-1:30pm! You'll find us on the first floor of the UWF Commons at a table near the Commuter Lounge! Stop by for some candy and to be entered into a raffle for some UKCOH swag. We look forward to connecting with you!

We are excited to announce that UWF recently recieved approval for a Triumph grant to address nursing workforce demands! The University will use award funds to assist in the expansion of programs within the UKCOH, including two in nursing! One will be an evening/weekend Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and the second will be a direct entry master's degree (DEMSN). This is exciting news for UWF and we can't wait to get started!! Visit https://uwf.edu/ukcoh/ for more info.

The first DEMSN White Coat Ceremony at UWF Emerald Coast Campus was held on October 2nd. Our keynote speaker was Jessica Bailey, MSN, RN, CCRN, Director of Critical Care Services at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. We are VERY excited about our DEMSN students!

Join the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health on Saturday, October 28 at Pen Air Field for a special UWF college football tailgating event. Look for the UKCOH tent in front of the UWF Field House between 1:30-3:30 p.m. to meet faculty and current students, play games, and pick up Breast Cancer Awareness giveaways including UKCOH/UWF Athletics t-shirts and water!

UWF hosted the 2023 Spirit of UWF Alumni and Community Awards ceremony on Oct. 6 at the Museum of Commerce in Historic Pensacola. The awards recgnized those who work to contribute to the University, improve their communities, and promote the Alumni Association. There were 3 UKCOH-connected individuals who recieved awards! They are pictured above: Hong Potomski ’07, UKCOH Advisory Board Member; Dr. Patricia Barrington ’97, ’13, MSH Faculty Member; and Dr. Tiffany Jackman, HSA Faculty Member. Congratulations and thank you to all who were recognized at this event!!

The Direct Entry MSN (DEMSN) program is the first UWF School of Nursing program to offer classes at both the Pensacola Main Campus and Fort Walton Beach Emerald Coast Campus. Pictured are DEMSN students at a Fort Walton Beach Emerald Coast Campus lab.

UWF School of Nursing staff members Kathy Butler, Student Program Support Specialist, and Brett Haskell, Clinical Placement Coordinator, greeted visitors during the UWF Family Weekend Campus Open House event held September 22nd.

The UKCOH wants to thank all UWF students, faculty, staff, and community members who joined the "Walk to End Alzheimer's" volunteer event that took place last Sunday! YOU made a huge difference in the fight to in our community!

Thank you to all who participated in the unique and immersive Poverty Simulation Workshop that helped participants rethink challenges of low-income individuals and families. The Poverty Simulation Workshop is a High Impact Practice activity for students and a powerful experience for faculty and staff. This event was held Wednesday, October 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the University Commons Auditorium on the UWF campus.

Breaking News! UWF Psychology Emeritus faculty member Dr. Sam Mathews was recently named in a news article as Florida's top disaster response volunteer! He was described as a "local angel" for his recruiting and training of response teams that mobilize wherever Emergency Management needs them, both during and after disasters. Starting as a member, Dr. Mathews quickly advanced into the roles of instructor and team lead. To read more about his impact in the community, visit https://weartv.com/features/angels-in-our-midst/an-angel-recognized-as-floridas-top-disaster-response-volunteer?fbclid=IwAR3gYO5L2XyC_qlPKF6g-f2SEiDIcbHT6o9IHMLOsyqYewzBvMpYdiheRQ4.

Happy Monday! The UKCOH would like to congratulate Dr. Sherry Schneider on receiving a resolution from the Board of Trustees in recognition of her distinguished service to the BOT during the past 4 years. Way to go Dr. Schneider!

UWF School of Nursing Director Dr. Crystal Bennett was recently an invited speaker at the Florida Department of Health Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer's Disease Research Symposium, held at the UCF College of Medicine. She spoke about her FDOH grant-funded research project, "The Impact of Adapted Dance on Mood and Physical Function among Alzheimer's Disease Assisted Living Residents".

At the start of the Fall 2023 semester, 9 students were welcomed during their orientation to the brand new Direct Entry MSN cohort. Also pictured is Dr. Tricia Huey, Dr. Tina Barbour-Taylor, Dr. Crystal Bennett, and Dr. Brandy Strahan.

UWF Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides services, such as consultations and outreach, that are availble to all UWF faculty and staff. For more information on CAPS and their services, visit uwf.edu/caps.

The UKCOH has acquired three Anatomage Tables to enhance learning experiences for exercise science, nursing, and athletic training students. These virtual dissection tables have large, fully interactive, multi-touch screens which allow faculty to present case studies; create and record animations and demonstrations; and build games and quizzes. For more information about the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, visit uwf.edu/ukcoh.

Stephanie Clark, Chief Nursing Officer, from Santa Rosa Medical Center presented an informative presentation at the Dr. D.W. McMillan Traditional BSN Orientation. Stephanie spoke about the mission & values of SRMC, her own nursing education path, and the clinical oppurtunities for students at SRMC. There were 51 students in attendance at the event.

The UKCOH would like to congratulate Katherine Greene and Dr. Andi Nelson on their OER e-text publication! To learn more, visit uwf.edu/dhsa.

The Children's Home Society (CHS) partnered with the UWF Masters in Athletic Training (MSAT) program to educate their students on recognizing mental health needs in athletes. The students heard from Diana Born, Clinical Program Director at Children's Home Society, on stress management and coping with anxiety for adolescent athletes.

Calling all UWF Nursing Alumni! Enter the UWF Nursing Alumni Sweepstakes to win one interior room for two guests on NurseCon 2024! Included in the sweepstakes: conference registration(s), fees, taxes, and gratuities are included in the stateroom. from the valuable education provided at the conference, there are many ways to interact, network and have fun with other nurses, such as meet-ups, Nurses Got Talent, Nurse Blake’s exclusive performance, Ultimate Skills Checkoff, and more!
To participate in the Official Sweepstakes, complete the entry form by November 1, 2023, 11:59 p.m. CT. and make a suggested donation of $25* to the UWF School of Nursing by clicking the “Donation” button. By registering, you agree to the Nursecon Sweepstakes Rules & Regulations.
Link to enter: https://uwf.edu/ukcoh/departments/school-of-nursing/nursecon-sweepstakes/

Mark your calendars! The Publix at 2180 West Nine Mile Road is providing UWF School of Nursing faculty & students with FREE flu shots on September 2nd. Thuy LaFrance is the Publix pharmacy manager and is a UWF graduate! For those of you who are eligible, don't miss out on this opportunity!

Psychology BA and MPH alum Brittany Hensley discovered a sense of community and purpose when she joined the UWF Peer Education program. Joining the program not only enriched her college experience but also laid the foundation for her future career. Her story reminds us that embracing challenges, seeking opportunities, and finding purpose can lead to a fulfilling & impactful journey through academia and beyond.

Students, did you know that the Drop/Add deadline is this Sunday? Before you drop or add a course, talk to your advisor about how this will affect your degree process. You can find advising FAQs at uwf.edu/ukcoh/advising.

Welcome back to UWF, Argos! We hope you're as excited for this school year as we are here at the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health!

Congratulations to the School of Nursing Dr. D.W. McMillan BSN students on their Pinning and Award Ceremony.

The Pinning and Award Ceremony is a special ceremony for nursing students. The pinning ceremony isn’t just a nursing tradition, it is a symbol of the nursing students’ hard work and dedication towards their coursework and clinicals. This momentous event occurs at the end of a student's program and signifies the completion of this level of education and official initiation into the profession.

“Appreciate the hard work that it took to get you here,” said keynote speaker Ms. Judith Abbey, FNP-C, ENP-C, an alumna of the UWF School of Nursing. “Wear that badge with pride because you earned it. Each success earns the privilege of taking on new challenges and gaining confidence. Take your wins as they build your confidence overtime. Your confidence will allow you to overcome your fears in any challenge you face.”

Way to go! We are so proud of our MSAT students for giving back to the community at the Health and Hope Clinic, Inc.

|

Welcome, Dr. Colette Davis and Dr. Karishma Chhabria! They are brand new assistant professors in the Department of Public Health. We are looking forward to an exciting Fall 2023 semester!

|

We look forward to meeting all the new soon!

| |

Another great faculty publication to report! Usha Kundu, MD College of Health faculty members Dr. Ludmila Cosio-Lima and Dr. Youngil Lee were authors of a research publication titled "Exercise-induced Antisenescence and Autophagy Restoration Mitigate Metabolic Disorder-induced Cardiac Disruption in Mice." Read more about their research in Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise! Visit https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2023/03000/Exercise_Induced_Antisenescence_and_Autophagy.5.aspx.

Congratulations to the summer 2023 Medical Laboratory Science graduates! This achievement is just the first step in your journey to becoming the next-generation of medical laboratory scientists.

“I will try almost anything once, I’m curious,” said Lily-Anne Pham, the 2023 class representative. “Try new things and take new opportunities that come to you. This Medical Laboratory Sciences program taught us how to take on new challenges and experiences. If we can get through our clinical rotations, we can get through anything.”

Dr. Crystal Bennett, director of the UWF School of Nursing, spoke with Rick Outzen on his radio show this week about the Entry in Practice "Direct Entry" Master of Science Nursing degree program.

With an increasing nursing shortage across the state of Florida, it is more important than ever to have high-quality, educated nurses helping patients in a variety of settings. The Direct Entry into Practice Master of Science Nursing is a five-semester program for non-nursing bachelor's degree holders who are looking to become registered nurses. To hear more from Dr. Bennett on this exciting new program listen to Rick Outzen's show here https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/rick9662/episodes/2023-07-19T11_49_45-07_00.

Each year Chick-fil-A awards recipients around the country with their Remarkable Futures scholarships for employees. This scholarship aims to help employees achieve their higher education goals. Thus far, more than $162 million has been awarded to employees since the program began in 1973.

Lonequa Padgett, a current Psychology student, was one of the 2023 recipients. She hopes to go on to pursue a master's degree after graduating with her bachelor's.

"What I love most about UWF is the community and the number of opportunities we have here," said Padgett. "Whenever I'm on campus everyone is always so welcoming and helpful throughout the university. The unlimited number of resources we have at our disposal is one of my favorite things."

Dr. Mark Campbell is a true catalyst for change, armed with a background in wellness, sports medicine, exercise science, and performance psychology. During his time at the University of West Florida, Campbell pursued a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, learning more about the intricacies and intersection of psychology and physical health. With his diverse expertise, he offers audiences a multifaceted perspective on various aspects of life, inspiring others to see the world through different lenses.

Campbell’s career commenced with a decade of spearheading performance and wellness-based programs for the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense. Following his impactful work with the military, he assumed the role of Director of Mental Conditioning for the 2019 World Series champions the Washington Nationals, a position that showcased his expertise in optimizing athletic performance.

Campbell currently serves as the Senior Fellow for Healthcare and Ability at the National Wellness Institute, where he continues to contribute to the advancement of wellness on a broader scale.

To learn more about Dr. Mark Campbell and his journey please visit https://bit.ly/3Q46Ntm.

The Entry into Practice "Direct Entry" Master of Science in Nursing is a full-time, five-semester nursing program ideal for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree who wish to pursue a nursing degree and become registered nurses. You will be a part of a small group of students working closely with faculty who have a wealth of experience and knowledge in nursing.

For more information on the UWF School of Nursing's DEMSN program visit us at https://uwf.edu/programs/ukcoh/entry-into-practice-direct-entry-nursing-msn/.

UWF to add Entry into Practice Master of Science in Nursing this fall - University of West Florida Newsroom The University of West Florida Usha Kundu, MD College of Health will launch an Entry into Practice (Direct Entry) Master of Science in Nursing program in Fall 2023. The five-semester, in-person graduate program, which will be offered on UWF’s Pensacola campus and Emerald Coast location, is a direc...

Congratulations to Dr. Karen Valaitis, Department of Healthcare Sciences and Administration, on the publication of her open educational resource ( ), Exploring the U.S. Healthcare System. The book introduces the reader to foundational characteristics of the U.S. healthcare system exploring topics such as private versus public insurance, improving access to quality care, and technology in healthcare.

This e-book creates a free textbook for students, reducing costs and increasing access to new materials. To access the OER, visit https://pressbooks.uwf.edu/ushealthcaresystem/.

Congratulations to School of Nursing student Evandro da Conceicas, for being awarded the Dr. Steve Jordan - Nursing Endowment.

Evandro says he’s proud to have been able to assist several international students in navigating through their first weeks here in Pensacola. He’s helped other students with tasks such as their initial grocery shopping, relocating to new houses or apartments, and even giving them rides to the airport so they could travel back to their home countries during school breaks. After graduating, his plan is to work for one or two years in acute care and then return to school to pursue further education & training in order to become a nursing anesthesiologist assistant.

The UWF chapter of Psi Chi was awarded a Psi Chi Model Chapter Award! According to Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, only 34 of the 1100 chapters met the standards to earn the award this year. This is the first time our chapter has received this award. Way to go to the wonderful Psi Chi officers and members for working diligently and earning this great honor!

We are thrilled to welcome Gary Holloway to the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. Gary is our new Coordinator of Behavioral Health Initiatives within the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. In this position, Gary's role will be to help students throughout the college find internships and placements in their chosen career fields.

The president of the School of Nursing Student Nurses Association (SNA), in 2018, worked to bring a shared bike to the UWF Campus. The project was called "Biking for Brains." In partnership with the UWF Bike Shop, the bike was set up behind Building 37 in the fall of 2018.

This spring, the SNA Board gave the Bike Shop a donation of $50 to help with their upcoming DIY Tie Dye. The donation will help to cover the cost of gloves, plastic bags, rubber bands, and dye. To learn more about the UWF Bike Shop visit https://uwf.edu/academic-engagement-and-student-affairs/departments/recreation-and-wellness/outdoor-adventures/bike-shop/.