Student Affairs and Alumni news

Division of Student Affairs Update: upcoming events, impressive student and alumni accolades, student support services and wellbeing resources, and alumni updates and accomplishments.

Announcing new student ambassadors and officers

The School of Nursing would like to announce the new student Ambassadors, Class Officers and Nursing Student Body Officers for the 2022-2023 academic year. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for serving for the school and in the nursing student body government!

Student Ambassadors serving the SON in events, peer-to-peer mentoring, and recruitment. (Pictured back row: Ragan Williamson, Tanzi McAllister, Veonia Smith, Onsby Vinson. Pictured front row: Rebecca Arreguin, Sara Kennedy, Jordan Davis, Brittany Sims.)

Nursing Student Body (NSB) Officers: Sara Kennedy, NSB president; Rayne Jensen, NSB vice president; Shelby McCraw, NSB secretary; Destiny Maxwell, NSB parliamentarian; Jabrien Jacobs, NSB treasurer; and Chloe Steed, NSB philanthropy chair.

Class of 2023 Traditional BSN class officers: Brock Thompson, president; Tanzi McAllister, vice president; Jordan Davis, secretary; Cannon Mock, treasurer; and Lanie Force, reporter.

Class of 2024 Traditional BSN class officers: Kristen Bailey, president; Khelsia Waters, vice president; Grace Parker, secretary; Taylor Glascoe, treasurer; and Victoria Menhal, reporter.

Jackson Accelerated BSN Class Representative: Sharolyn Slater

Oxford Accelerated BSN Class Representative: Matthew Hartzog and Megan Smith

Crouch published article in Sigma Journal of Nursing Scholarship

PhD alumni Dr. Jacob Crouch published an article in Sigma's Journal of Nursing Scholarship earlier this fall. His article titled "Telehealth during the pandemic: Patient perceptions and policy implications" stemmed from his dissertation research. The article looked at the potential of telehealth to increase favorable patient outcomes and patients embracing telehealth post pandemic. The full article can be found at the journal's website at https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12832.

 Gartrell named 2022 DAISY Nurse Leader

Every day, University of Mississippi Medical Center nurses in leadership roles make a difference in the lives of patients and families.

That group includes Gordon Gartrell, Pediatric ICU nurse manager and winner of the Medical Center’s 2022 DAISY Nurse Leader Award presented Nov. 2.  The honor recognizes exemplary nurses as part of the national DAISY program.

Gartrell, a master's of nursing alumni and current PhD in Nursing student, was nominated with 16 other UMMC nurses for the honor. The award pays tribute to the honor of the late Patrick Barnes and presents DAISY Awards to the unsung heroes of the nursing profession. Winners are nominated by anyone in their organization, plus patients or patient family members. About 1,700 health care facilities in all 50 states and in 11 other countries honor their nurses with the DAISY Award.

“The 2022 DAISY Nurse Leader Award nominees lead with conviction,” said Ellen Hansen, chief nursing officer and clinical services officer for Children’s of Mississippi. “Nurses are highly educated and skilled members of the health care team and being a nurse leader requires strong values, clear vision, courage and stamina.  Gordon Gartrell stands among these leaders as one best of the best."

Hoover named SGSHS Distinguished Alumna of the Year

Professor Emeritus Dr. Kim W. Hoover was named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences. The former dean of the School of Nursing, earned her master's in nursing and PhD in clinical health sciences from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The selection was based on her “outstanding” contributions to health care and education, said Dr. Hannah Broome, SGSHS’s associate dean of student affairs and recruitment.

“Dr. Hoover’s career, award and service history is far-reaching; it includes leadership in nursing education, student affairs, research, health care and workforce development,” said Broome, also director of the MD-PHD program. “She exemplifies what we hope to see in all doctoral graduates of the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences: the continued pursuit of leadership and service throughout one’s career.”

Now COO of the Mississippi Hospital Association and president/CEO of MHA’s Research and Educational Foundation, Hoover formerly worked as a staff nurse and clinical manager in Natchez before being recruited to teach nursing at Alcorn State University. During her 15 years with the School of Nursing, Hoover served as associate dean, director of the PhD program, and dean, a position she held eight years before retiring from UMMC.

Dr. Mary Stewart, director of the PhD in nursing program, said the program depends on the generosity of nurse leaders like Hoover, who recently opened her home for a faculty/student gathering to foster socialization and build collegiality. “Our PhD program benefits tremendously from the continued contributions of several faculty emeriti. Dr. Hoover leads the pack in terms of her dedication and time.”

American College of Lifestyle Medicine inducts Bidwell as Fellow

Dr. Josie Bidwell, a Lifestyle Medicine nurse practitioner and associate professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine, has been selected a Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Bidwell earned her bachelor of science in nursing, master's of science in nursing and doctorate of nursing practice from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Fellowship in ACLM is the highest level of recognition bestowed by the College, acknowledging individuals who have distinguished themselves through their contributions and service to the field. Lifestyle medicine, part of the specialty of preventive medicine, promotes lifestyle changes proven to prevent, treat, or even reverse diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

Bidwell leads the Medical Center’s Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, where she takes part in in-depth discussions with patients to identify their health concerns, health risks and goals. After identifying the patient’s specific health risks, she creates a custom health plan the patient will use to achieve goals that can make a significant difference in their health.

Bidwell also is host of the weekly “Healthy and Fit” show, part of Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s weekday “Southern Remedy” wellness radio program. “Healthy and Fit” airs at 11 a.m. Mondays. 

Service learning upcoming events/opportunities

Shower Power - Dec. 2nd at 8:00 am, Jackson

Camp Kandu - Dec. 3rd 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Twin Lakes Camps

Jingle Bell Jog - Dec. 10th 7:30 am, Madison

Santa Day at the MS State Hospital - Dec. 21 9:15, Whitfield

Students, check GiveGab for more information and to sign up!

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