Seven Kent State University students were among 24 northeast Ohio nursing students accepted to intern at Akron Children’s Hospital as part of the “Assuring Success with a Commitment to Enhance Nurse Diversity,” or ASCEND program. Kent senior students include Hannah Miller, Samantha Kenney, Brian Cochran, Ryan Dowling, Paige Barnum, Kayla Norris, and Parker Henderson, who attend the Kent, Salem and Stark campuses.
Tom (’69) and Sue Freeman know the true impact a nurse can make on a patient’s life. When Mimi, Tom’s wife of 50 years became ill, Tom was touched by the level of empathy her nurses provided her throughout her care. They showed compassion, caring and understanding which allowed Mimi to spend her finals days with grace and strength. Tom’s current wife Sue had a similar experience with the hospice care her husband Dave received. Dave’s nurse was a “healing angel” according to Sue.
Forging new and innovative pathways in nursing research, Dr. Dana Hansen and Ms. Amy Veney of the Kent State University College of Nursing are contributing new knowledge to the fields of palliative care and family interaction during advanced serious illness (Hansen) and healthcare disparities faced by sexual and gender minorities (Veney).
Trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp has always been on my bucket list. Once I decided to look turning 60 years old straight in the eye, rather than ignore or hide from it, I booked a trek as a present to myself. After all, I wasn’t getting younger! This adventure would push my comfort zone because I had never attempted to take on a challenge this big. Would I have the endurance to hike 80 miles roundtrip, to an elevation of 18,000 feet?
Forging new and innovative pathways in nursing research, Dr. Pamela Stephenson and Dr. Yvonne Smith of the Kent State University College of Nursing are contributing new knowledge to the fields of palliative care and spiritual uncertainty (Stephenson) and service by nurses on governing boards and online nursing education effectiveness (Smith). Working within their respective fields, both are active researchers and educators conducting funded research studies and disseminating their findings through publications, presentations, and classroom interactions.
When Davina Gosnell, Ph.D., first came to Kent State in 1979, she planned to stay for a few years to work with the founding dean of the nursing program, Linnea Henderson, whom she greatly admired. But, the best laid plans do change, and Davina ended up as a faculty member at Kent for 25 years, eventually being named dean of the College of Nursing herself.
Erin Hawley, of Medina, OH, was excited to have a taste of independence and make new friends at Kent State University. But what makes Hawley’s college experience extra special is that she is a member of the first class accepted to Kent State’s Career and Community Studies (CCS) Program post-pilot. Hawley is also the first CCS student to take nursing courses. As a senior, this fall she will continue to learn how to turn her desire to help others into a career.
