Pulse - Spring 2006

              TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from Nancy Lynch ..........................1
Update on the Learning Resource Center......2
Groundbreaking program
in Nurse Anesthesia ......................................3
International Nursing:
Ireland and Padova ......................................4
Diabetes Educator of the Year:
Geralyn Spollett ............................................5
Dr. Oliver Sacks lecture recap ........................5
SON personnel travel to D.C. ........................6
Gifts, Grants, Partnerships ........................6-7
Dr. Betty Ferrell to deliver
second SON lecture ......................................8
New Advisory Board Member:
Sally Ann Pilkerton........................................8
End-of-Life Symposium ................................8
In the aftermath of Katrina ..........................9
St. Joseph’s Vision Award............................10
Nightingale Award......................................10
Professional Development Day ....................10
Message from the Dean..............................12
PULSE The
www.fairfield.edu/nursing
VO L . 1 , N O . 2 • S P R I N G 2 0 0 6
Jesuit. Personal. Powerful.
Fairfield University
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S C H O O L O F N U R S I N G
continued on page 2
Message From Advisory Board
Chair Nancy Lynch
Ihave been involved with Fairfield University for many years. My
husband graduated from Fairfield in 1963 and has served on the
Board of Trustees for more than 18 years. Our son graduated in
1995. Over time, we have watched the many changes on campus as
they have happened, one by one: the renovation of the Rudolph F.
Bannow Science Center, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and the new
Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola. I am so impressed with the
increased intellectual rigor that so strongly enhances the life and
reputation of this great University.
Today, we have a new challenge. The School of Nursing must keep up with the
extraordinary pace set by the University. In the past year, we have established an Advisory
Board to oversee and implement improvements to the School of Nursing that will keep
us competitive with other universities and colleges, both in the lab and in the classroom.
Since the Board’s inception, our 11 members have met many times to narrow our focus
to best meet that pace and serve the needs of the School. In consultation with Dean
Jeanne Novotny, Ph.D. and the nursing faculty, it was decided that what is most needed is
upgraded, technology-enhanced classrooms and a skills laboratory. For that reason, the
Board is pleased to announce the launching of a three-year, $1 million, campaign for the
construction of a new Learning Resource Center (LRC), a high-tech facility that will
include wireless computers, a multimedia and a demonstration classroom, plus simulation
models, thus bringing this already fine program in line to compete with some of the best
in the country [see page 2 for updates on the renovation of the LRC]. Board members
were informed from the beginning that their commitment to contribute generously to
this total amount is crucial to the overall support and success of this project.
This past March, I had the honor of traveling with Dr. Jeanne Novotny, Dr. Suzanne
Campbell, assistant professor, and Noël Appel, advancement liaison for the School of
Nursing, to present at a conference in Washington, D.C., hosted by the American
Association of Colleges of Nursing Advancement Professionals. We spoke about the
design and implementation of the Advisory Board, how to nurture and grow a devoted
group of leaders, and the steps we are taking to meet its financial goals for the School.
The incredible feedback gave us the validation we needed to confirm that the Board is
on the right track with our fundraising and development efforts. It was a thrill for me
to play a role in this extremely interesting and educational conference. I came away
knowing that what we are doing is absolutely “right” for Fairfield University and some-thing
other larger institutions can only aspire to implement. We are truly on the cutting
edge of this new idea!