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Message from the Dean and Vice President for Health Promotion

As summer draws to a close, students return to campus, and some of them venture away from home for the first time. They carry with them such strong dreams that will undoubtedly make a great impact on the world of healthcare. We can help them now by giving them the best education, teaching them to dream, discover and deliver big ideas, and by urging them to take good care of their own health and well-being too. That is why I created the Wellness Checklist for new students. If your child or someone you know is heading off for college for the first time, please give them this checklist to help smooth the way. It is so important that students realize that taking good care of themselves will help them to perform better academically and take great care of other people.

I have the honor of representing Ohio State as a member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)’s Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-being and Resilience. This initiative was launched due to the high prevalence of clinician burnout, depression and suicide. Unfortunately, nurse depression and suicide are on the rise as well. Last year, I was able to present our University’s comprehensive and integrative model for enhancing the health and well-being of faculty, staff, students and alumni here at Ohio State, which has not only improved population health outcomes, but has resulted in a negative healthcare spend, unlike most organizations that have yearly increases in healthcare spend. As a result, I’m proud to share that the NAM released a case study highlighting Ohio State’s comprehensive approach to health and wellness. What an honor! Ohio State is the first university to be profiled as a case study in wellness by the NAM (see nam.edu/clinicianwellbeing/case-studies). You can read more about this and the college’s efforts to support clinician well-being below, along with other exciting news from your college home.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, stay in close touch, and Go Bucks!

Fondly,

Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
Vice President for Health Promotion
University Chief Wellness Officer
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, College of Medicine
Executive Director, Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare
The Ohio State University

$10.7 million in research funding for the 2019 fiscal year

The College of Nursing secured $10.7 million in research funding during the 2019 fiscal year, comparing to the 2018 fiscal year’s $6.9 million. This funding supports research in several areas of healthcare, ranging from aging and dementia care to understanding and preventing preterm birth.

NAM spotlights Ohio State's efforts to reduce clinician burnout and improve well-being

Read about this ground-breaking, comprehensive case study.

Wellness Checklist helps new students stay healthy

Read more about University Chief Wellness Officer and Vice President for Health Promotion Bernadette Melnyk’s Wellness Checklist to help students manage their own healthcare.

New impact communications and gift receipts for donors

In an effort to deliver more consistent, timely and personalized donor recognition, beginning Wednesday, August 28^th, gifts less than $1,000 to the College of Nursing will be acknowledged through a gift receipt from The Ohio State University Foundation. In place of our current gift acknowledgement letters, we look forward to sharing quarterly impact communications with you. We are so grateful for your continued support.

Congratulations to new AAN Fellows Ackerman and McNett

Michael Ackerman, DNS, RN, CENP, FCCM, FNAP, FAANP, professor of clinical nursing, and Molly McNett, PhD, RN, CNRN, FNCS, professor of clinical nursing, have been competitively selected as new Fellows in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN). Selection as an FAAN is a very distinguished national honor. Congratulations! The College of Nursing is proud of both of you.

Recent Award/Recognition: Selected as part of the inaugural class of Fellows of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN).

Professionally, I am most proud of: the over 100 ThinkFirst programs we do annually to educate the public on the motto, "Use your brain to protect to your body.” My goal is to prevent at least one injury.

Interesting fact: I was on the Ohio State varsity swim team from 83-87 (captain 86-87) and my son, Joseph (Joey) Smith, who just graduated from Ohio State in May, 2019, was on the Ohio State varsity gymnastics team. We both have Big Ten championship rings from our respective years and teams and have matching letter jackets.

Keeping cool while active in hot weather

While August signifies the end of summer, it does not mean the end of the summer heat. Stay safe while exercising in hot weather by drinking enough fluids, wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, exercising either in the morning or evening, and wearing sunscreen regularly to protect your skin. If your muscles are cramping or you’re feeling weak, listen to these symptoms and take a break.

Want more wellness? Read “Simple Solutions for a Great Night’s Sleep” by Chief Wellness Officer Bernadette Melnyk.

A new use for your IRA

Consider making a difference with the IRA Charitable Rollover to support the College of Nursing. The IRA charitable rollover allows you to transfer funds directly from your IRA to The Ohio State University Foundation, while offering tax benefits in return. Individuals aged 70.5 or older on the date of the gift are eligible to transfer up to $100,000 tax-free directly from an IRA. Read more or contact Courtney Shaul at 614-688-1086 or shaul.8@osu.edu.