The Harris College Magazine
- Winter 2008 ·
19
18
· Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
T
CU’s kinesiology department received grant
funding fromthe Gatorade Sports Science Institute
to provide support for an in-depth lab study to
examine how sodium levels in high performance
athletes are afected by extensive exercise under high
outdoor temperatures.
This is the second time Gatorade has contributed
funding to kinesiology research projects at TCU. Gatorade has
also contributed smaller grants for more than six independent
research studies aiding graduate research at TCU.
Dr. Joel Mitchell, chair of the kinesiology department, is
directing this study with the assistance of six other faculty members
and several TCU kinesiology graduate students. Kimberly Hubing, a
kinesiology master’s degree student, will be using this study as part of her
thesis project.
The TCU study surrounding the sodiumbalance issues afecting athletes
developed after the Hotter ‘N’ Hell 100 cycling event which took place in the
blistering summer heat of Wichita Falls, Texas, in August 2006. The event is one
of the nation’s most popular 100-mile cycling events attracting more than 9,000
cyclists per year.
Dr. Mitchell and several of his TCU colleagues were stationed at a medical tent
that provided care for riders experiencing a variety of ailments. At the tent, Dr. Mitchell
analyzed the sodium levels of riders who appeared to be sufering from hydration problems
by using a portable sodium analyzer.
“Because of the extreme 100-degree-plus temperatures, we had to keep the portable
analyzer in a cooler full of ice in order for it to function properly,”Dr. Mitchell said.
The new lab study conducted will provide accurate scientifc data explaining the sodium
control mechanisms that can contribute to problematic sodium imbalances among athletes.
“By the implementation of various controls on the participants, we can accurately monitor
their progression throughout the course of the study,”Dr. Mitchell said.
The group of 10-12 participants in this study will primarily include highly trained cyclists and tri-athletes
selected from a variety of of-campus organizations and clubs. Each participant will complete four trials, each
consisting of one hour of intense exercise in the heat followed by a three-hour rehydration recovery period.
Participants will be continually monitored throughout this process during the next several months.
Informationgathered through these trialswill includeblood sampling, sweat and repertory variationmeasurements
and sodium concentrations. Also, ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) measurements will reveal how the body responds to
the re-absorption of fuids.
For more information on the study, contact Dr. Mitchell at j.mitchell@tcu.edu.
Social work professors are
national honor recipients
Dr. Harriet Cohen and Dr. David Jenkins, from the
social work department, were each selected as one of
10 to 12 geriatric social work professionals nationally to
be named Hartford Faculty Scholars in 2006 and 2007,
respectively.
The distinction provides selected professionals
with a $100,000 grant to help conduct research, and
ofers benefts and guidance aimed to foster professional
development over a two-year period.
“To have two Hartford scholars in our department
of social work is very much an honor,” said Dr. Paulette
Burns, dean of the Harris College of Nursing & Health
Sciences. “This also recognizes the quality of our program
and its faculty.”
The award, sponsored by the Gerontological Society
of America, is in its eighth year of its commitment to
improving the well-being of older adults in society by
increasing the number of adequately trained geriatric
social workers.
With the help of the grant, Dr. Cohen has continued
work on topics surrounding her research project, “The
Phenomenology of Forgiveness in Older Holocaust
Survivors,” and Dr. Jenkins has continued exploring his
research topic, “Family Relationships in Older Adulthood:
Step-grandparents who are Lesbian or Gay.”
“I am really passionate about my research, said Dr.
Jenkins. “It is exciting to understand that my research was
assessed by numerous individuals and that it continually
passed review at several diferent levels.”
According to the Gerontological Society of America,
by the end of the initiative, the program should have
helped to develop and enhance the leadership skills of
the faculty scholars, thereby increasing the visibility and
desirability of gerontological social work as a feld. - DTS
TCU announces a new director
of nursing
TCU’s Harris College of
Nursing & Health Sciences
recently celebrated the
appointment of a new
director of TCU Nursing
with a reception at the
Kelly Center. Donna Scott
Tilley, RN, Ph.D., CNE was
appointed the new director
and began her duties in the
Fall 2007 semester. Dr.Tilley began at TCU as an associate
professor of nursing in August 2006.
As the director of nursing, Dr.Tilley is responsible for
managing all aspects of the programs in nursing, and is
the primary liaison between TCU Nursing and the Harris
College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Dr. Tilley will work
with faculty, students, and staff to ensure the success of
the nursing programs.
Dr. Tilley hopes for a continued excellence in
undergraduate and graduate nursing education and
continued growth of the accelerated second degree
program through establishing and maintaining
innovative partnerships with clinical partners.
David Jenkins appointed to chair
of social work department
TCU’s Harris College of
Nursing & Health Sciences
appointed David Jenkins
chair of the social work
department in 2007. He
joined TCU in 1991 as an
associate professor.
“I welcome Dr. Jenkins
to the chair positionand look
forward to his leadership
of the well-respected
Department of Social Work,” said Dr. Paulette Burns, dean
of the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. “Dr.
Jenkins’s energy and enthusiasm for TCU students, faculty
and staff are well-known and makes him an excellent
choice for department chair.”
“Our faculty has diverse interests and is highly
productive,” said Dr. Jenkins.“I see us continuing to create
an environment where we can promote scholarship,
teaching, and service in a discipline that directly touches
the lives of people.”
As chair of the social work department, Dr. Jenkins
oversees all components of the department, including
managing the program, and is the primary liaison
betweenTCU social work and the Harris College of Nursing
& Health Sciences. Dr. Jenkins will work with both faculty
and students, and staff to ensure the success of the social
work department.
Harris College of Nursing &
Health Sciences has three
“Great 100 Nurses”
Three faculty from TCU’s Harris College of Nursing
& Health Science were honored as “Great 100 Nurses” for
2007 by the Texas Nurses Association, districts three and
four, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Nurses Executives. The
awardees included Lavonne Adams, Kris Riddlesperger
and Charles Walker.
Lavonne Adams
, Ph.D., RN, CCRN has been an assistant
professor in TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health
Sciences since 2004. She holds nursing degrees from
Kettering College of Medical Arts (AS), Wright State
University (BSN), and Andrews University (MS) and a
Ph.D. in leadership from Andrews University. Dr. Adams
presents and publishes on topics such as leadership,
administration, and disaster preparedness and response.
Kris Riddlesperger
, Ph.D., RN is a clinical assistant
professor in TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health
Sciences since 1994 and teaches classes in maternity
and women’s health. She holds nursing degrees from TCU
(BSN) and Texas Woman’s University (MSN and Ph.D.). Dr.
Riddlesperger has personal interest in clinical hospice
nursing after encountering a hospice nurse who made a
difference with her family.
Charles A.Walker
, Ph.D., RNC is an associate professor
in TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
since 2001. He holds degrees from TCU (BS and BSN),
University of Texas (MSN) and Texas Woman’s University
(Ph.D.). His clinical and research interests include aging
readiness among baby boomers, chronic and disabling
illnesses, elder caregiving, and relocation stress.
Robert Kelsey
, TCU School of Nurse Anesthesia instructor and
human laboratory patient coordinator, was promoted by the U.S. Air
Force from deputy commander to commander of the 701st Medical
Squadron at Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth.
Kelsey’s appointment brings him to the top leadership post in terms
of authority and responsibility for the 701st Medical Squadron.
With this position he will be involved in the administration of the
185-member squadron.
Lynn Flahive
was awarded the Jack L. Bangs Award from the
Texas Speech-Language Hearing Association, the highest honor of
the Association. The Jack L. Bangs Award is presented to individual
speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists who have been
members of TSHA for 10 or more years and members of ASHA for
15 or more years, have contributed signifcantly to TSHA and ASHA,
and have demonstrated outstanding leadership and exemplary
professional excellence. A full-time instructor at TCU’s Department
of Communication Sciences and Disorders since 1991, Flahive earned
both her bachelor and master’s in science fromMarquette University.
Dr. David Jenkins
and
Dr. Harriet Cohen
were selected as two of
15 scholars to attend the Fourth Annual Research Training on Aging
and Social Work, sponsored by the National Institute on Aging.
Notable student accomplishments
Social work major,
Lauren Love
, was selected as the Tarrant County
NASW Student Social Worker of the Year.
Social workmajor,
Deborah Jones
, was selected to the All-American
team for track and feld.
First-year bilingual communication sciences and disorders student
Barbara Fernandes
was selected to be a participant in the
American Speech-Language Hearing Association’s Minority Student
leadership Program at the annual convention in Miami, Fla.
Kim George
, RN, graduate nursing student, was selected as the
national oncology nurse of the year by the National Oncology Nursing
Association.
Dr. Dennis Cheek
and nursing students
Hollie McGehee Smith
and
Janet Good
were recognized for a published manuscript, “New
Respect for the Humble Endothelium,” Nursing 2006 (March). The
published articlewas awarded third prize in this year’s ClinicalWriting
contest sponsored by Nursing 2006. Manuscripts were nominated by
editors and chosen by the magazine’s editorial advisory board.
Notable student facts
All graduate speech-language pathology students (10) found
employment immediately upon graduation; all graduating seniors
who applied to graduate school were accepted.
MSNA, MSN, and BSN graduates had 100 percent employment
opportunities upon graduation.
The nursing state board pass rate last year was 92 percent. A letter of
commendation has been received from the Board of Nurse Examiners.
MSN students achieved 100 percent pass rate on the national
certifying exam for adult clinical nurse specialists and are now
recognized as advanced practice nurses in Texas.
Kinesiology students had a 100 percent pass rate on the teacher
certifcation exam (ExCet) and on the athletic training state
licensure exam.
studies
sodium
among
athletes