East Carolina University College of Nursing

Pirate Nurse Nation extends far, far outside of North Carolina's borders. University at Buffalo University at Buffalo School of Nursing Dean Annette Wysocki (BSN ' 78, MSN '80) was recently honored as one of the Buffalo Business First 2024 Women of Influence. Dean Wysocki received our Distinguished Alumna Award in 2018 and is dedicated to the future of Pirate Nursing, having established an endowment in her father's name to support research - our only research endowment - and an endowed scholarship in her mother's name. Thank you, Dean Wysocki, for all that you do for eastern North Carolina and western New York. 💜💛🏴☠️🩺

Were you able to make it to the big event this past weekend? Of course we mean the Homecoming Open House here at the CON where so many members of the Class of ‘77 with us including Dr. Dianne Marshburn, Madge Dews Thompson and Bridget Rogers. The big win at game was great, but catching up with Pirate Nurses from years past was the real joy. 💜💛🏴☠️🩺

How about a little good news on a Friday? Dr. Alta Andrews received an award from the NC AHEC (NC Area Health Education Centers) in recognition of her outstanding commitment and dedication to the NC AHEC nursing clinical instructor program. The award was presented at the NC AHEC CIP Recognition Luncheon in Concord, NC. 💜💛🏴☠️🩺

Interested in pursuing a career as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner? Join us for a virtual information session October 28 at noon EST. For more information and to RSVP please email: ECUNurseStudentSvc@ecu.edu

Dr. Cheryl Kovar, an associate professor of Nursing Science and chair of the CON’s personnel committee, has been appointed to the University and Medical Center’s Institutional Review Board’s (UMCIRB) Biomedical Committee as an alternate member and on the Social Behavioral Committee as a full-time member. In this capacity she will serve as a scientist – a significant recognition of the importance of the nursing profession to health care. Her appointment will run through October 2028. Kovar is the first faculty from the College to serve on either committee as a full member since 2015. Her appointment is a recognition of the importance of nursing to the Institutional Review Board, the University and eastern North Carolina. Thank you, Dr. Kovar, for your willingness to take on this important role. 💜💛🏴☠️🩺

East Carolina University’s Clinical Nurse Specialist students have been busy. 🩺 Doreen Sarfo presented her research on the impact of diabetes on fall risks for those living with the condition during the Annual Conference of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. 🩺 Miranda Scoggins presented the closing session at the NC Affiliate of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Fall 2024 conference. 🩺 Savanna Harrelson, an Honors student, presented her research of CNS Preceptor Characteristics at the NC Affiliate of the National Organization of Clinical Nurse Specialist Conference October 18. She, along with faculty mentors, also submitted a manuscript of this work to the Journal of Professional Nursing. 🩺 Camille Boeker presented a review of "Depression screening in hospice care" at the 2024 NC Affiliate of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist conference. Our students don’t wait until graduation to begin making real impacts in the future of health care in #NorthCarolina. This is #Service.

Last week, I served as a keynote speaker at the Chung-Ang University Red Cross College of Nursing’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in Seoul, Korea. My presentation titled “Leading with Vision: Embracing Diversity to Shape the Future of Nursing," aligned with the celebration's theme, "Fostering Future Frontiers: Visionary Leadership and Diversity in Nursing Science." Thank you to Dr. Heesook Son for the invitation to the celebration. I had an amazing time and it was an honor to be part of such a significant event. Congratulations to Chung-Ang University Red Cross College of Nursing on an amazing 50 years! GO PIRATES!!!🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️

From Dean Bim. This is a big deal. 💜 💛 🏴☠️ 🩺

Please help us welcome Dr. Kristie Hertel to the College of Nursing. Dr. Hertel joined us this week as a Clinical Assistant Professor and will lead our newly established Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration. Dr. Hertel received a DNP from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a master’s as ACNP from Rush University and a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Nazareth College. Dr. Hertel brings over 20 years of acute care experience to the CON. Dr. Hertel has served as Clinical Instructor with ECU’s CON teaching in the “3 P’s” and has served as an instructor and curriculum developer for Fundamentals of Critical Care by the Society of Critical Care Medicine since 2007. Additionally, Dr. Hertel has presented multiple podium and poster presentations in the many areas including pressure injury management, tracheostomy care, and burn care. Dr. Hertel is the immediate past President of the Carolinas Virginia Chapter of Society of Critical Care Medicine. 💜💛🏴☠️🩺

A long post here, but we think it’s worth it. Pirate Nurse Ann Marie Hammond (AGNP, MSN 2013) lives in Black Mountain and sent us this dispatch to share her experiences caring for members of her community in the aftermath of #HurricaneHelene. Ann Marie is an example of East Carolina University’s spirit of #Service, a fundamental part of Pirate Nursing. 💜💛🏴☠️🩺 This Friday will be three weeks since the hurricane devastated our valley. Many are still without power and unless you have a well, you are still without water here in Black Mountain and Swannanoa. The medical clinic that was established was a grassroots effort. The town of Black Mountain approached the pastor of my church inquiring about use of space. I happened to be at church that day and the idea of a medical clinic took off from there. We established a clinic in Black Mountain and a satellite clinic in Swannanoa the next day. Since then, we’ve had providers in both locations providing care Monday through Saturday. During that time, we’ve also established a bike brigade with volunteer nurses and medical staff to do home visits, checking on shut ins and people medically at risk. We also delivered food and water and medications to those in need. In the clinic we saw patients for things such as refills on medications, new illnesses, and things such as laceration repairs, injuries, and infections. We also provided some vaccinations. We also had mental health providers present to help. We developed great relationships with our local pharmacies to help ensure that the patients got the medications they needed. We had volunteers from all areas of medicine including doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, physical therapists, athletic trainers and so many more. Their willingness and hard work of some many volunteers is what made this grass roots effort work. The person who helped me get the clinic off the ground was our local athletic trainer from our local high school. She played an integral role in helping triage patients and organizing our bike brigade and logistics with our medical supply deliveries. Our location also served as a medical donation hub. We were able to take donations and get them into the hands of those in need. We were able to deliver some specialized equipment like trach supplies, tube feeding, and medicines to remote areas! In the wake of tragedy and devastation, our little valley came together to care for one another! I am so grateful to everyone who pitched in and made this happen. The Black Mountain Medical clinic is phasing out as primary care offices and the urgent care in town are now open. I am so grateful to everyone who helped or donated in any way! Even in the midst of all this devastation, I was reminded that there are so many good people in this world, and the old adage of love thy neighbor is alive and well in this little valley!