April brings numerous month- and week-long observances, many of which build mindfulness for the cultural, academic and research areas of the College of Nursing and Health Professions like Counseling Awareness, Physical Wellness and Celebrate Diversity Month as well as Health Information Privacy and Security Week and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Week. April also brings the beginning of the spring quarter and a few opportunities to which I would like to call attention.

 

On Monday, April 3, as students and faculty return to campus, please look for an email with the link to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion survey prepared by the Dean's Advisory Board on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DABDEI). The Board is committed to reducing inequities in CNHP’s education, research, practice, policy and civic engagement initiatives and is giving you, as a member of our community, an opportunity to make your voice heard. 

 

On April 5 from noon to 1 p.m. in Geary B and Lobby, students and faculty are invited to the kick-off for Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (IPER) initiative. IPER supports the College-wide effort to remain at the forefront of innovative health care education. Critical, not only for a well-rounded education, but also for superior patient-centered care, integrating three or more disciplines to solve health challenges prepares students to better communicate with members of health care teams and participate in decision-making across disciplines.

 

CNHP, in partnership with Mantua and the Powelton Village Civic Associations and Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, officially opens its newest clinical practice, the Community Wellness HUB, in West Philadelphia with the Rally 4 Wellness Health Fair on April 8. Some of the ongoing services at the HUB including health education and screenings, behavioral health counseling, cooking demonstrations, referral services, case management and clinical treatment for residents will be provided by volunteers from the College.

The last event to which I want to bring attention is the spring BAYADA Home Health Care Speaker Series presented by Margaret O’Neil, PhD on April 26. The topic, “Physical Activity, Fitness and Participation in Children with Special Health Care Needs: Intervention Strategies & Outcome Effectiveness” is of wide appeal to clinicians in a variety of specialties who are interested and work with children with physical disabilities and chronic conditions. In addition to O’Neil’s presentation, the 2017 BAYADA Award for Technological Innovation in Health Care Education and Practice will be given. Since 2004, the BAYADA awards play an important part of our College’s and BAYADA Home Health Care’s desire to recognize outstanding innovation in student education and patient outcomes using technology. 

 

I hope you will enjoy reading about outstanding CNHP faculty, students, and alumni in this edition of Off the Charts and hope you will join us at our exciting and meaningful April events.

 

 

Interim Dean