Shelton State Nursing Alum Honored

The Shelton State Community College Nursing Program is proud to announce that our alum, Wendi Jones, was recently honored by her employer as "Nurse of the Year". Wendi completed the Associate Degree Nursing Program in the Spring of 2008. She works as a Registered Nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care for Winter Haven Hospital, Winter Haven, Florida, which is near Tampa.

Pinning Ceremony

Graduates of the 2012 class of the nursing program at Shelton State Community College were recognized on Tuesday, May 8 at a 6:00 p.m. “Pinning Ceremony.” Shelton State nursing graduates participating in the ceremony included: Alabaster, AL: Sarah Wilson Neighbors Aliceville, AL: Rachel M. Lewis, Nikey Nicole Prude Asheville, NC: Katie Ilene Baunack Bessemer, AL: Dewand T. McQueen Birmingham, AL: Dustin Ray Harrison Brent, AL: Tiffinee J. Holladay Brookwood, AL: Brandi Price Centreville, AL: Heather Kaye Craver, Majorie Elise Kasterke Coker, AL: Monique Gibson, Selina Marshall, Hannah Michelle McMillian Dora, AL: Halli Chance Ducanville, AL: Stephanie Wyatt Gordo, AL: Maketa Thomas, Shelley Lynn Wheat Hoover, AL: Jonathan Patrick Weaver Keller, TX: Taylor Lemmons Mandeville, LA: Kristy B. Hearing Marion, AL: Amy Parsons McCalla, AL: Lauren M. Lewis, Amy Owenby, Haley Thomas Monroeville, AL: Latishia Showonne Lamar Moundville, AL: Stacy T. Garcia, Brittany L. Thomas Northport, AL: Eric S. Davis, Beth Herren, LaToya Lynnette Jefferson, Tiffany Lynne Johnson, Lacey Moses, Nikita Sewell, Regina Slatton, Bill Snowden , Lindsay Jordan Wilson Peterson, AL: Madilyn Eason Pleasant Grove, AL: Angela Brooke Crumpton Thomasville, AL: Alisha Danielle Larrimore Tuscaloosa, AL: Ana Alvarez, Martha Ann Beverly, Susie Brock, B. Todd Chism, Jessōlynn Daniel, Christy Allen DeFrance, Ashley Franklin, Dathne Frazier-Sturdivant, Laura Anne Gunter, Brad Hardemon, Lisa Heravi, Lindsey Jones, Rachel Lambert, Justin L. Lewis, John Moltz, Tekya Letrice Nevels, Joshua Phillips, Megan Scalla, Suzanne Schuhart, Erica Scott, Lindsay Tant, Veronica Taylor, La’Kendra Tidmore, Allison Walker, Ashley Watson, Lauren Christine Wenth Vance, AL: Carolina Gomez Hernandez, Chloé Anna Webster Woodstock, AL: Justin Hogue York, AL: Ashley Renee Mitchell. Conducting the Shelton State ceremony were Mark A. Heinrich, Ph.D., President; Kim Inman Smith, Director of Nursing; Gladys Hill, Assistant Dean of Health Services; and nursing faculty members Royce Roby, Andrea Bowden-Evans, Rosann Turner, Julie Jones, Rosalynde Peterson, Beth Babin, and Nancy Mathews.

Scale Back Alabama

Scale Back Alabama is a public awareness campaign hosted by Alabama's hospitals and the Alabama Department of Public Health, with support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Shelton State Association of Nursing Students (SSANS) and the Shelton State Community College (SSCC) Wellness Center partnered this year to promote the Scale Back Alabama program. Teams came to the Shelton State Community College Wellness Center, during the week of January 23-26, 2012, to weigh-in and register. The Shelton State Association of Nursing Students worked diligently to weigh-in and educate participants. In addition, they also offered blood pressure screenings to partakers. Dr. Milady Murphy and staff hosted the weigh-in in the Wellness Center. Dr. Rosalynde Peterson and Ms. Julie Jones serve as SSANS Advisors and are delighted and encouraged by the participation of the students and community members. Plans are already being discussed for next year. You are invited to join in on the health promotion activity next year. Stay tuned and “get moving!” The outcomes of the teams registering at Shelton State Community College are as follows: • 139 individuals and 34 teams registered • 367.5 pounds lost • 40 individuals lost weight • 18 individuals lost greater than or equal to 10 lb (the goal) • 1 group met the team goal of at least 10 lb per participant (The Bama Bellies-Go Team!!)

Scale Back Alabama

Beginning Jan. 21, local residents are invited to sign up for a statewide weight-loss contest called Scale Back Alabama. Now in its sixth year, the 10-week contest is an attempt to encourage Alabamians to lose weight, to exercise, and to have fun while doing it. Last year’s campaign drew more than 33,000 people in almost every county with a cumulative reported weight loss of 143,309 pounds. The goal of Scale Back Alabama is to lose a pound a week during the 10-week period. We’re really encouraging healthy weight loss, not crash dieting.

The Shelton State Association of Nursing Students (SSANS) and the Shelton State Community College (SSCC) Wellness Center are partnering to promote the Scale Back Alabama program this year as a public weigh in site. The New Year is a perfect time to think about establishing good habits that will make you healthier. All you have to do to participate in Scale Back Alabama is find three individuals to be on your team and come to the Wellness Center during the week of January 23-26, 2012 between the hours of 4-7 p.m. to weigh in and register. The contest is free, and there are cash prize drawings at the end. In addition, the nursing students will be offering free blood pressure screening and participants will be able to enroll in the SSCC Wellness Center Program.

The Wellness Center’s community hours are from 4pm to 7pm with an on-site personal trainer who can meet your health and fitness needs. The cost for the SSCC Wellness Center program is $45.00 for the semester and registration can also be done through the SSCC Community Education Department. For more information about the Wellness Center program, please contact Milady Murphy at 391-2994, and for registration, please contact Shannon Gryska at 391-2360 or sgryska@sheltonstate.edu.

Scale Back Alabama is a public awareness campaign hosted by Alabama‘s hospitals and the Alabama Department of Public Health, with generous support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. For more information, go to www.scalebackalabama.com.

Faculty/Alum Spotlight-Vicki Hannah

Fighting to Stop Diabetes Is Close to My Heart

By Vicki Hannah

Adam, Eve, and Mom

November is American Diabetes Month.  For those of you who know me, you understand why fighting for a cure for diabetes is close to my heart. My son, Adam, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was nine years of age. Having type 1 diabetes increases the risk for many serious complications, including heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney damage. Adam (now 28 years old) takes daily medication to prevent disease-related complications of diabetes, specifically hypertension and nephropathy. Of the 25.8 million children and adults diagnosed with diabetes in the United States, it is estimated that 5 to 10 percent have type 1. Adam is included in this percentage. Since there is no cure for diabetes, Adam and others like him who have diabetes fight this battle every day of their lives.

From the time of Adam’s diagnosis, I have wanted to do something to “make a difference” in the lives of those diagnosed with diabetes. As an ER nurse of more than 20 years, I saw the effects of this life-altering disease on countless occasions. I returned to graduate school in 2000 with dreams of opening a diabetes clinic and treating diabetics as a family nurse practitioner. I conducted a formal research study while in school and wrote a thesis concerning the need for lifelong diabetes education. Although I never started a diabetes clinic and this dream did not materialize, after graduation I found myself in a unique position as a nurse educator to “make a difference” and since that time I have had many opportunities to impact students regarding the effects of this devastating disease.

Just weeks prior to the first Tuscaloosa Step-Out Walk to Fight Diabetes in 2009, I became involved with the American Diabetes Association. The first year, 161 individuals walked for the cause, many of whom were Shelton State nursing students. I served as the Tuscaloosa Walk Chair in 2010 and 2011 and have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our college and nursing students for this very worthwhile cause. Shelton State has been well represented in the community. Of the 375 registered walkers in 2011, 84 walkers were members of Team Shelton. Shelton State has led the area’s fundraising totals during the past three consecutive years, raising $5,810.50 in 2011.

On any given clinical day, it is not uncommon for multiple students to have a diabetic patient assignment. Diabetes has touched most of our lives in one way or another, and, unfortunately, it will touch more lives every day without intervention to stop this potentially deadly disease. My passion to find a cure is driven by personal and professional causes. I thank God every day for helping me attain a dream of 19 years.

The inaugural meeting of the Shelton State Alumni Association Nursing Division was a great success.  In attendance were current students, alumni of both the Practical Nursing and Associate Degree programs from up to twenty years plus. A continuing education presentation on Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) was facilitated by nursing faculty, including Vicki Hannah, Julie Jones, Leigh Anne Williams, and four students enrolled in all three of the nursing programs. The students were Monique Gibson (AD Program), Lisa Haravi (AD Program), Kawana Sneed (PN Program), and Michael Ford (PN Program).  A patient simulation scenario was filmed and presented to the attendees. New technology was utilized, including high fidelity patient simulator and clickers for audience participation.  Nursing alumni were awarded one free CEU for attendance to the meeting. 

A steering committee was selected to move the organization forward.  Members include Patrice Patton, Lauren Yeager, Kathryn Bryant, Clem Hill, and Michael Hall.  The steering committee will draft bylaws and strategies for the group, including election of officers.  Gladys Hill, Assistant Dean of Health Services, stated, "The nursing faculty and staff are excited about this initiative. We look forward to working with alumni of the programs. The Nursing Division of the SSCC Alumni Association will benefit the nursing programs by maintaining relationships with alumni to work together in endless ways."

Shelton State Nursing Alumni Association's Inaugural Meeting