THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING

What a wonderful Homecoming Weekend we had! I met so many inspirational alums who are proud to be nurses from Ohio State. Many have transformed healthcare as well as the profession and continue to work as nurses, educators, nurse practitioners and researchers after decades of service. Others may have engaged in nursing briefly before embracing other careers or full-time parenthood, but carry with them forever a strong sense of identity and achievement as Buckeye nurses. A warm and heartfelt thanks to all who came home to visit the College of Nursing for the weekend, whether for a 50th or 55th reunion, a return after a few years out, or in the case of Geraldine Basinger De Meo, (class of 1946) a 70th year reunion!

The "But for Ohio State" campaign gave our alumni another way to show their outstanding support and dedication. I am proud to announce that while the expectation for this seven-year campaign was to raise $7 million for our college, our alumni and friends more than tripled that amount, giving $23,785,905, by the end of September! These transformational contributions will allow the College of Nursing to continue to advance its innovative initiatives and grow on an exponential level. We continue to dream big and execute, and so often it is the commitment of our alumni that makes our dreams come true!

Last year I met a special alumna, Christina Gamble, at her 50th reunion, who told me she was an artist. We got to talking and brainstorming, and I said, "You know what would be really awesome? If you would do a painting for us!" The result of that dream was a lovely painting of Mirror Lake that will hang in Newton Hall forever to commemorate the But for Ohio State campaign. I am so grateful to the campaign committee who made this happen, and for every one of you.

Be well!

Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, CPNP/PMHNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
Associate Vice President for Health Promotion
University Chief Wellness Officer
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
Professor of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, College of Medicine
The Ohio State University

Four recognized by Nursing Alumni Society

During Homecoming Weekend, four College of Nursing graduates were recognized and honored by their peers. Congratulations to the recipients of this year's Nursing Alumni Society Awards: Pamela K. Greene (BSN '76), Kristine Weiss Adams (BSN '92), Sarah R. Meyer (BSN '07), and Susan K. Frazier (BSN '72, MS '96, PhD '90). Read more about each of our winners here.

Nursing Alumni Society recognized by Ohio State Alumni Association

The Alumni Society of the College of Nursing received three awards from The Ohio State Alumni Association this year. It was named Society of the Year among the 46 Ohio State alumni societies, and recognized as an Oustanding Alumni Society for the fourth year in a row. The third award the Society garnered was Program of the Year for its popular Wine Tasting event, which raised $18,000 this year for student scholarships.

Heart healthy, Buckeye strong

Heart disease and stroke kill more women each year than all cancers combined. The Women's Heart Alliance (WHA) and Ohio State are partnering to raise awareness of healthy lifestyle choices to prevent heart disease and stroke, especially in young women.

During the Northwestern football game on Saturday, October 29, fans will be asked to Scarlet out the 'Shoe for heart health. The marching band will welcome members of the WHA to the field during a pre-game salute to heart health. Block O will create heart shapes in their cards; and fans can win a Fitbit by guessing the number of steps that Brutus walks during the day (Text BRUTUS to 228466 on 10/29 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.). Ohio State Wellness will host a heart healthy tailgate outside Ohio Stadium from 11-3 with a photo booth and cooking demonstration.

Free heart health screenings for students (ages 18-40) are available 10/28 and 11/2, with additional dates to be announced in spring semester. Students receive a free T-shirt and swag bag including a water bottle, hot/cold compress and stress ball. At the screening, students can opt to participate in a health study also. For more information: heartcheck.osu.edu

Buckeye Nurses welcomed home for Homecoming

More than 275 nursing alumni and guests returned to campus for Homecoming 2016. Festivities kicked off with a breakfast tour of the James Cancer Hospital, and concluded with a tailgate brunch at Newton Hall before the Bucks took on the Scarlet Knights. In between, alumni and guests enjoyed tours of the college's Technology Learning Complex and the Ohio Union, a continuing education session on innovation in healthcare, Dean Melnyk's State of the College address, and a healthy cooking demonstration. The Class of 1966 was also invited to a reunion luncheon hosted by the college, and a special celebration of the 50-year class hosted by President Drake. See photos from Homecoming on Flickr.

Congratulations to new Nursing Alumni Society Officers!

Congratulations to our 2017-2019 President, Kelsie Miller (2015), President-elect, Anastasia Christopher (1974, 1976 MS), Secretary, Kara Brown (2015, current MS student) and Treasurer, Brian Garrett (1996). To learn more about the Nursing Alumni Society, go to go.osu.edu/BuckeyeNursing.

New volunteer opportunities available

Did you know you can volunteer by enjoying dinner while networking with current nursing students, writing a blog, or giving job interview advice? You can! Check out the CON's Volunteer Match webpage for these and other opportunities to support your alma mater through event involvement, committee membership or student enrichment programs.

Welch recognized by Ohio State Alumni Association

Congratulations to John Welch (BSN '03) who received with The Ohio State University Alumni Association's prestigious William Oxley Thompson Award for his distinctive achievement in career and civic involvement. Welch divides his time between being senior nurse anesthetist at Boston Children's Hospital and working and teaching in Haiti for NGO Partners in Health (PIH) at University Hospital Mirabalais. Welch received a master's degree from Boston College, and has helped fight Ebola in West Africa. Shortly after receiving the award, Welch returned to Haiti to help victims of Hurricane Matthew.

Grant received for NICU research

Congratulations to Chris Fortney, who has just received an NIH K23 grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research entitled: "Infant Symptoms in the NICU: Impact on parent decision-making, coping, and distress."

ANF awards research dollars

The American Nursing Foundation awarded grants to two of our alumnae: Judy Tate for her grant "Post-ICU Problem Solving (PIC-UPS)" and Shannon Gillespie for "DNA methylation markers of preterm birth risk among asymptomatic African women." Congratulations to both!

Evidence to help smokers quit

Congratulations to Sonia Duffy on her research that demonstrated the positive influence of nurses in smoking cessation intervention. See her story here.

Global impact recognized with CDC grant

Tim Landers is Co-Principal Investigator (PI) of a $4.65 million dollar grant just awarded from the Centers for Disease Control entitled "Global Health Security Partner Engagement: Expanding Efforts and Strategies to Protect and Improve Public Health Globally." With Co-PI Wondwossen Gebreyes from the College of Veterinary Medicine. Tim will be leading their efforts to address the threat of antimicrobial resistance and improve infection prevention in Ethiopia.

Best College for Men in Nursing Award

The College of Nursing received the American Association of Men in Nursing's 2016 Best College for Men in Nursing Award at the Association's national conference in September. Many thanks to Ken Sigler for spearheading the application! The Association stated in their award letter, "we could not be more impressed. The history, consistency, quality, and commitment to creating a climate for men who are becoming professional nurses are impressive. You should be very proud of your work and the work of your leadership team." We are, indeed, proud of them!

American Academy of Nursing Fellows announced

We are proud to announce our alumni who have been inducted as Fellows in the American Academy of Nursing (AAN):

Mei Wei Chang, PhD, RN
Tim Landers, PhD, RN, CNP, CIC
Laura Cox Dzurec, PhD, RN
Marguerite DiMarco, PhD, RN, CPNP
Barbara Polivka, PhD, RN

And give our congratulations to Joyce Fitzpatrick, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, FNAP, who has just been named an AAN Living Legend.

Denise Hopkins-Chadwick, PhD, RN

Ohio State degrees: PhD in Nursing Research, 2005

Current role: Vice Provost, Army Medical Department Center and School and Health Readiness Center of Excellence

Professionally, I am most proud of my military family, my husband Brian Chadwick who has spent 30 years serving in our military family, son Robert and daughter Maddie who have spent their whole lives as military kids.

Interesting fact: I love school and research; it wasn't until I reviewed my school transcripts that I discovered that I had earned a big fat "c" in nursing research in my undergraduate program. I am glad I didn't let that stop me from pursuing a career in research and higher education.

Mental Health Matters!

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and behave, along with how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy lifestyle choices. Ohio State Chief Wellness Officer Bernadette Melnyk reminds us professional help is available if stress, anxiety and depression are interfering with your life. Ohio State has an on-line program called "Beating the Blues" that you can access by contacting the employee assistance program at osuhealthplan.com/eap or 800-678-6269.

10/24

HireOhio Career Fair

Meet with recruiters from leading employers and network with area alumni at this alumni-only career fair, hosted by Ohio State. Click here for details.

10/25

Financial Wellness Workshop Series: Debt Repayment

Join the Student Life Student Wellness Center's Scarlet and Gray Financial Wellness program in discussing the important financial topic of debt repayment. Managing student loans can seem tricky, but this webinar will provide strategies and tools to assist you in preparing for loan repayment. 6-7 p.m. at Newton Hall, Room 244, 1585 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.

11/19

Buckeye Bash at Michigan State

Enjoy a pizza buffet at this big tent pep-rally before the Bucks battle the Spartans and let your team spirit show! Presented by Nationwide Insurance. A limited block of discount rooms are available at the nearby Courtyard Marriot East Lansing. For more information, click here.

View more upcoming events here.