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Message from the Dean: The Golden Thread
In This Issue:
Class of
December 2012
2012 by the
Numbers
Rumpshaker 5K
Moffett Nurse
Network
Dr. Alexander
Retires
Continuing
Education
Opportunities
2013 Parish
Nursing Course
Sigma Theta Tau
Inductions
The Pulse
To stay up to date on IVMSON news between issues of The Pulse, be sure to follow us on
our social media sites!
“Caring is the shining thread of gold that holds together the tapestry of life." Mrs. Ida V. Moffett
With 2012 coming to a close, I cannot help but reflect on the events of the past year at the Ida V.
Moffett School of Nursing (IVMSON). As we look back on the past twelve months, on behalf of the
faculty, staff and students I would like to thank the numerous alumni, friends and community
partners who supported our efforts to
celebrate our rich 90-year history
while continuing to move the school
forward in the ever-changing
healthcare environment.
Throughout the past year we have
had the opportunity to truly reflect on
what it means to be a Moffett Nurse.
It is more clear now than ever that
Mrs. Moffett’s legacy is still very much
alive in our school and her vision for
excellence in nursing is alive in the
hearts and minds of alumni across the globe. If you haven’t had the opportunity to view our 90
th
Anniversary video, I encourage you to do so.
The events of the past year would not have been possible without you! Not only were we able to
celebrate our special anniversary, but we were able to offer scholarships to more than 100 nursing
students and we made significant investments in our programs, technology and facilities.
As we move into the New Year, we are immensely grateful for your gifts of time, talent, prayer and
resources—you are essential to our success and we hope that you will continue to support our
students and programs in the years ahead. We look forward to staying connected with you—thank
you for being partners in our efforts to provide an exceptional nursing education in a Christian
environment.
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Nena F. Sanders, DSN, RN
Ralph W. Beeson Dean and Professor
IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER December 2012
Congratulations Class of December 2012
Page 2
On Saturday, December 15 80 nursing students earned degrees from the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing. Forty-four individuals
earned their bachelor’s of science in nursing degree; 35 earned their master’s of science in nursing degree and one earned the
doctor of nursing practice degree.
The weekend of activities began with undergraduate pinning on Friday, December 14, followed by MSN Hooding and commence-
ment on Saturday. John Lundeen, assistant professor and elected speaker for the pinning ceremony, provided graduates with
words of inspiration encouraging them to never be afraid to ask for help and to remember that they are never alone in nursing.
He shared his favorite quote, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care,” which is a true reflection
of Moffett Nursing. Congratulations to the class of December 2012!
Be on the lookout for some of these outstanding graduates at the facilities listed below.
Allie Ashurst TBICU, UAB Hospital
Claire Bertolotti PICU, Children’s of Alabama
Irene Cantu Labor and Delivery, UAB Hospital
Micah Counts UAB Hospital
Glenna Dodson ER, Princeton Baptist Medical Center
Mona Dossani ER, Princeton Baptist Medical Center
Erin Gettel ER, UAB Hospital
Stephanie Haas CICU, Princeton Baptist Medical Center
Rachael Holst Germantown Le Bonheur Methodist Hospital, Memphis
Taylor Jordan TBICU, UAB Hospital
Allie Morgan Hematology/Oncology, UAB Hospital
Kelly Polo U.S. Air Force, San Antonio Military Medical Center
Rachel Stark ER, UAB Hospital
Virginia Taylor Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology
Chris Walker ER, UAB Hospital
Kaitlin Watts Internship Program, UAB Hospital
Two Graduates Earn Parish Nursing Pins
While students in the Accelerated Second Degree BSN
program, Christopher Carlson and Christopher Walker
elected to attend the Basic Preparation for Parish Nursing
Course, a 34-contact hour continuing nursing education
course. The course prepares nurses for a health-promotion,
risk-reduction, disease-prevention role in a congregational
setting and focuses on care of the whole person, holding the
spiritual dimensions to be central to the practice.
In a prayerful ceremony following the December 14, 2012
Baccalaureate Pinning Ceremony at Dawson Memorial
Baptist Church, Walker and Carlson received their full parish
nurse pins in recognition of their completion of the course.
Dr. Nena Sanders, Dr. Gretchen McDaniel, Christopher Carlson,
Christopher Walker and Debbie Duke.
2012 Graduates By the Numbers
IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER December 2012
Join IVMSON for the Rumpshaker 5K!
Page 3
Over the past twelve months, 216
students have graduated from the
Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing—
136 in May and 80 in December.
Graduates represent a diverse
group of individuals from across
the country.
78
106
32
2012 Graduates by Degree
Program
BSN
MSN
DNP
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
CA
GA
TN
MS
TX
Other
AL
Percent of Graduates by State
Total % of Graduates
2012 graduates are from 28 states. Other
states not listed here include, Illinois,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North
Carolina, New York, Colorado, Indiana,
Ohio, New Mexico, Florida, Arkansas,
Louisiana and more.
It’s an annual tradition—join IVMSON’s team, “Your Worst Enema,” for the Rumpshaker 5K on
Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Sloss Furnace. Proceeds from the run benefit colon cancer
awareness. A portion of the monies raised go directly to Birmingham GI clinics and labs, in
addition to colon cancer research. If you register to run or walk you will receive a t-shirt from
the race, but our team, "Your Worst Enema," will also have a special t-shirt that we will wear on
the day of the race (details coming soon). Remember that you do not have to actually run; you
can walk or join the kids in the one-mile fun run! All that matters is that you get out there and
have fun, promote health, and raise awareness for this disease!
Register for the race here. Be sure to choose to join a team and select "Your Worst Enema" (you
should not create a team - only join the existing one). Our team is open to anyone—faculty,
staff, students, spouses, kids, friends and neighbors! Register today!
Learn more about the Rumpshaker 5K at
www.rumpshaker5k.com.
IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER December 2012
The World is Better for Moffett Nurses
Page 4
Moffett Nurses are different. Employers, colleagues and grateful patients are quick to report that Moffett Nurses truly care—
they look for ways to comfort patients and their families. It is easy to take this for granted, but a recent story caused the faculty
and the staff to truly take a moment to reflect on the blessing that Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing students and graduates are
in the lives of their patients.
Over the past four months, a friend of one of the school’s staff members had been seeking counsel as she navigated health care
for her stepfather. Unfortunately, just a couple of weeks ago, the stepfather passed away in the ICU of a local hospital. When
the staff member reached out and asked, “What can I do for you?” The friend only had one request—convey to IVMSON and
Samford University how absolutely wonderfully considerate, compassionate, professional and fabulous one of its student nurses
was while caring for her stepfather during his final days.
Just one hour after the death of her stepfather, the grieving daughter remembered the Moffett nurse who cared for not just for
her stepfather, but also for the entire family. She said this student would be someone whom the family would never forget due
to the superb care they all received. The student made a significant impact on this family.
Taylor Jordan, a member of the December 2012 graduating class, had the courage to care. The world is better because of Taylor
and the thousands of Moffett Nurses who exhibit the courage to care through their professional practice.
Help us Plan an Alumni Event in Your City!
Plans are underway to take the
Moffett Nurse Network back on the
road in 2013! The Moffett Nurse
Network is the school’s effort to bring
alumni events to the cities where alumni live and work. We have had successful events across the southeast and look forward to
expanding that list in the year ahead.
We need your help! Contact us if you are interested in helping coordinate an event in your area. In order to visit an area, there
must be a local contact to help with some basic items such as selecting a venue and scheduling. Please consider helping
facilitate an event in your area. Events have ranged from receptions, lunches and dinners to painting parties and more. Be
creative and connect with other Moffett Nurses! This is a great way to network while staying connected to your alma mater.
If you are interested in helping coordinate an event in your area, please contact Katie Stripling at k[email protected] or (205)
726-2265.
IVMSON Remembers Mary Walker Funderburg
Mary Elizabeth Walker Funderburg, 93 went to be with the Lord October
10, 2012. A graduate of West End High School, she received her BS in
English in 1942 from Howard College, now Samford University, where she
also met her late husband of 67-years, Dr. Lonnie W. Funderburg.
Dr. and Mrs. Funderburg were loyal supporters and advocates for the Ida
V. Moffett School of Nursing, particularly the nurse anesthesia program.
The Operating Room in the Simulation Center was named for the couple
in 2012 and Dr. and Mrs. Funderburg established the Funderburg Nurse
Anestheisa Scholarship to provide essential funds for students in that
program.
A memorial service for Mrs. Funderburg was held on November 11, 2012
at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asked
that gifts may be made to the Funderburg Nurse Anesthesia Scholarship.
If you would like to make a gift in memory of Mrs. Funderburg, please click here or call (205) 726-2265. The family will be
notified of all gifts made in her honor.
Dr. Janet Alexander Retires After 21 Years of Service
IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER December 2012
Accolades, Honors, and Acknowledgments—Faculty and Staff
Dr. Gretchen McDaniel and Mrs. Debbie Duke presented Parish Nursing/Congregational Health Today to the Alacare Home
Health and Hospice chaplains and social workers on December 10.
"Practice Implications for Preventing Population Vulnerability related to Vitamin D status" written by Dr. Andrea Collins has been
chosen for publication as a continuing education article in the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Accolades, Honors, and Acknowledgments—Alumni and Students
Page 5
After 21 years of teaching at the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing, Dr. Janet
Alexander is retiring from Samford University to become Dean of Health
Sciences at Georgia Highlands College in Rome, Ga. Dr Alexander will begin
her new position on January 2, 2013.
Dr. Alexander came to Samford in 1991 having previously taught at UAB
School of Nursing for eight years and in St. Vincent’s diploma program for
three years. She has taught in every degree program at IVMSON, from the
ASN program to the DNP. Most recently Dr. Alexander coordinated the
nurse educator MSN program. She also directed the accelerated second-
degree program from 2009-2012.
Dr. Alexander was the recipient of Samford University’s George Macon
Memorial Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2003. “I have enjoyed
teaching at IVMSON and am grateful for the outstanding students that I
have had the opportunity to know and teach over the last 21 years,” said
Dr. Alexander.
Lori Lioce, DNP 2010, was recently inducted as a fellow into the American Nurses Association's Political Action Committee
Leadership Society. The society inducts fellows who demonstrate extraordinary political talent and recognize the connection
between policy, political participation, and professional leadership supporting these beliefs with service and action.
Caroline Smith and Crystal Wade, both senior students in the undergraduate program, were selected for Who's Who Among
Students in American Colleges and Universities for 2012.
Invest in the Future of Healthcare—Make a Year End Gift to IVMSON
You can make a difference—every dollar counts. Please consider
making a year-end gift to support the Ida V. Moffett School of
Nursing. Your gift can be in honor or memory of a special nurse or
person in your life and can be designated to the fund of your
choice. The opportunities to make a difference in lives of our
students, the nurses of the future, are endless. We hope you’ll
consider a gift during this season of giving. Gifts may be made
online or via U.S. Mail. For information on stock transfers, please
call (205) 726-2265.
“I hope I have left at least a small mark on Samford, because it has
definitely made an impact on me,” —Kelly Miles, BSN class of
Kelly Miles
CLICK HERE TO
MAKE A SECURE
ONLINE GIFT
IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER December 2012
Continuing Education Opportunities: Choices That Will Change Your Life
Page 6
What Are Health Ministries? What Every Congregation Needs to Know!
What Are Health Ministries? Join us to Find Out!
Saturday, January 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Huntsville’s First Baptist Church
600 Governors Dr., Huntsville, Alabama
Presented by
Rev. Stacy C. Smith, Manager, Faith Community Outreach, Church Health Center
(Memphis-based International Parish Nurse Resource Center )
and
Mrs. Debbie Duke, Coordinator of the Congregational Health Program, Samford University
If you have ever wondered …What are health ministries? What do they include? How do they look and work? What is their con-
nection to healing and wholeness?How can a congregation start, strengthen and integrate them?
The renowned Church Health Center will speak to these out of successful strategies that have something for everyone. Building on
their vast experience and best practices, all of which “seek to reclaim a spiritually-rooted commitment to care for our bodies and
our spirits as they provide healthcare for the working uninsured and promote healthy bodies and spirits for all.”
Cost is $15 per person. This includes continental breakfast, lunch, packet of resources, exposure to world-class and regional excel-
lence, and opportunities to network with area congregational leaders in health ministries. Congregations can send their teams of
unlimited numbers for an investment of $75. CEUs will be available for nurses. To secure details on either of these matters and to
register contact Eugenia Graves, Parish Nurse Coordinator with Huntsville ’s First Baptist Church at [email protected] or 256-682-
6271.
IVMSON E-NEWSLETTER December 2012
Register to Attend the 2013 Parish Nursing Course
Page 7
Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Curriculum 2013 Class
February 15-16, 2013 and March 8-10, 2013
Shocco Springs Conference Center
Talladega, Alabama
34 Contact Hours
Parish nursing, also known as Congregational Nursing or Faith Community Nursing, is a specialty practice of professional nursing
and a professional model of health ministry that focuses on whole person health promotion and disease prevention from a faith
perspective.
For more information, view the brochure.
Gamma Eta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau Inducts New Members
The Gamma Eta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing inducted 38 new members at their ceremony
on December 13, 2012. *Denotes highest GPA.
Undergraduate Graduate (Family Nurse Practitioner)
Traditional Curtis Adams*
Allie Ashurst Amy Basinger*
Micah Counts Debra Carpenter
Taylor Koh Christopher Cecil
Sallie Rhodes Landon Collins
Lindsay Robinson* Derek Du*
Amanda Simons Sylvia Flores-Bugarin
Virginia Taylor Mee-Ok Kim
Molly Tribble Joey Laske
Cristina Magana
Accelerated Jack McDermott*
Stephanie Haas Derek McMurray
William Harrison Richard Ngo
Allie Hesse Alicia Nossov
Rachael Holst Dan Parker*
Darian Lyons Vu Phan*
Rachel Stark* David Pokorny*
Shasta Skinner
Nurse Leader Louis Spagnola
Julie Smith, MSN, RN Gabriella Smart
Dorrie Talmage*
Shallon Vincent
Vance Warden*
Chapter Leader Installment
President-Elect — Dr. Stephanie Wynn
Membership Ambassador — Mrs. Kimberly French
Congratulations to all of the new members! We look
forward to your impact on the profession of nursing.
Learn more about Sigma Theta Tau here.
If you have any student,
faculty, or alumni awards,
presentations, conferences,
scholarships, photographs or
any other announcements, etc.
that you would like posted in
the next edition of The Pulse,
please send them to
kstripli@samford.edu
or call 205-726-2265
...to all who participated in
providing information for this
newsletter.
“Caring is the shining thread of gold that holds together the tapestry of life.” Mrs. Ida V. Moffett
Page 8
SPECIAL THANKS
Share Your News!
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Remember to Follow Us!
Katie Stripling
205-726-2265
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
Phone: 205-726-2872
www.samford.edu/nursing
Interested in supporting a particular
fund or program at IVMSON? Click
here for a list of ongoing
IVMSON needs as well as links to make
a gift online.
Thank you for your consideration!
Dates to Remember
December 24-January 1:
University closed for
Christmas Holidays
February 8: IVMSON
Advisory Board Meeting
March 18-22: Spring
Break
April 19: Awards Day
May 3: IVMSON
Advisory Board
May 17: Pinning and
Graduation
The Congregational
Health Program Advisory
Board held its annual
meeting in December at
Samford University. The
Congregational Health
Advisory Board assists in
promoting, guiding, and
advising the direction of
the Congregational
Health Program.
Advisory Board
members pictured left
are Tim Wolfe, Samford
University; Eugenia
Graves, PN, FBC
Huntsville; Dr. Gary
Yarbrough, Chaplain,
Shelby Baptist Medical
Center; Dr. Gretchen
McDaniel, Samford
University; Dr. Lou Thibedaux, Deaconess Episcopal Church; Lucy Willis, PN, Trinity Medical Center;
Jewel McKay, Community Liaison and Senior Housing Expert; Dr. Cristy Daffron, PN and Jefferson State
Community College Educator, Pell City Campus;
Dr. Gary Fisher, Corporate Director of Pastoral
Services, Baptist Health System.
