December

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Happy Kwanzaa

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”
~ Maya Angelou

Our wish for this seven-day festival reflects the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

May we be united as a community.

May we show self-determination in our learning and research.

May our collective work and responsibility bring about social justice and health equity.

May we support the fight for economic equality for all.

May we live with purpose.

May our creativity uncover innovation.

May our faith in science and education give us the confidence we need to face uncertainty.

Light, happiness, and peace to all in the coming year.

December 26
Happy Holidays!

“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.”
~ Ruth Carter Stapleton

As we reflect on the past year, may we appreciate all our accomplishments, the care and compassion we've given and the resilience we demonstrated. Our wish for you is peace, renewal and light during the Christmas season and into the new year.

December 23
CNHP professors provide Mindfulness Miniseries at Drexel Graduate College

Jackie Murphy, EdD, assistant clinical professor and chair of MSN Advanced Role and Complementary and Integrative Health, and Michele Rattigan, MA, associate clinical professor in the Creative Arts Therapies department, offered graduate student workshops on mindfulness on December 9 and December 11, respectively. Everyday Mindfulness for Graduate Students and Painted Meditation: Arts-Based Mindfulness Practice allowed both Murphy and Rattigan to demonstrate how to incorporate mindfulness into everyday life, teaching, scholarship and clinical practice in a professional development workshop for students in the Graduate College.

December 21
Postdoctoral Fellowship Awarded

Karolina Bryl, PhD, a postdoctoral research fellow and study coordinator for the Pain Management Support Study in Creative Arts Therapies department, was awarded a Cotswold Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship for 2021.

The award of $50,000 is for Bryl's research "COVID-19, social isolation, and schizophrenia: A mixed methods feasibility study on the effects of telehealth dance/movement therapy to promote activation in chronic schizophrenia."

December 18
PA Department First Virtual Senior Celebration

The first virtual PA senior celebration took place on Friday, December 11, 2020. Certificates of completion were mailed to 74 students. Speakers at the event included President John Fry, Dean Laura Gitlin, PhD, and keynote speaker Michael Barros, PharmD.

Congratulations to all!

December 18
Faculty Authors Article about Jill Biden's Title

Sharrona Pearl, PhD, an associate teaching professors in Health Administration, penned a post for The Lilith Blog on December 15 in response to the recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal about Dr. Jill Biden dropping her well-earned credential from her title.

December 16
Top State Honor Given To Vinci

Leon F. Vinci, DHA, an adjunct faculty in the Health Administration department, was named the 2020 A. Clark Slaymaker honor recipient. Given annually by the Virginia Environmental Health Association (VEHA) at the Annual Business Meeting during their Fall Educational Conference, VEHA President Sandy Stoneman recognized Vinci for outstanding contributions to the environmental health profession and environmental health programs across the state of Virginia. Additionally, he was elected as a vice president of the VEHA.

As an internationally-renowned leader in public health and epidemiology, Vinci is also an ecoAmerica designated world ‘Climate and Health Leader’ and a national ‘Climate Ambassador’ with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). He received his Master in Public Health from Yale University and his doctorate from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

Congratulations, Dr. Vinci!

December 16
Drexel SEPTA Partnership Announced

A new research partnership with SEPTA aimed at enhancing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on public transportation has been announced. The partnership will focus on understanding the role of masks, ventilation, air treatment and surface cleaning in preventing transmission of the virus, developing strategies that SEPTA can deploy in the near future and guiding the agency in communicating these new safety protocols.

It will draw on the expertise of faculty from Drexel’s College of Engineering, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Dornsife School of Public Health.

December 16
Dean Gitlin Speaking with Mandy Moore and Lisa Barnes at Hill Briefing
- December 15
- 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2) hosts a virtual briefing on “What the Latest Science Tells us about Preventing Alzheimer’s and Dementia.” Alzheimer’s is an urgent health equity challenge. Without action, Latinos & Black Americans will see the largest increases in Alzheimer’s and dementia prevalence between 2015 & 2060.

Dean Laura N. Gitlin, PhD, is one of three speakers at this event along side actress and advocate Mandy Moore, and Lisa Barnes, PhD, a professor of neurological sciences at Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center. Register now to join this virtual discussion on Alzheimer’s and equity.

Register here: rsvp@usagainstalzheimers.org.
December 14
Members of CNHP Board Recognized for DEI Work

Drexel University's Office of Equality and Diversity has created a monthly spotlight. Their goal is to recognize different individuals and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committees across campus for their work to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at Drexel.

Their first installment spotlights two people from CNHP. Both individuals have been diligent in moving the College's and the University's efforts ahead. Veronica Carey, PHD, is the assistant dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, chair of the College's board of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and an associate clinical professor in Counseling and Family Therapy department, and Shell Myers, is a member of the College's board of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and a student in the master of family therapy program and the administrative coordinator of the Art & Art History department in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.

Congratulations to you both for this recognition, and most importantly, your contributions.

December 14
Hanukkah Wishes

“Hanukkah is about the freedom to be true to what we believe without denying the freedom of those who believe otherwise. It’s about lighting our candle, while not being threatened by or threatening anyone else’s candle.” —Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l

On this festival of freedom, courage, and peace and throughout the New Year, we wish good health, authenticity and prosperity to all.

Hanukkah Sameach!

December 14
CNHP Students Take Co-op Positions at Drexel's COVID-Testing Center

Three CNHP students take co-op positions on campus assisting in Drexel’s COVID-19 testing efforts. Third-year health sciences students Saznin Chowdhury and Talia DiBonaventura and fourth-year nursing student Sarah Okwuoha worked on the front lines administering tests to fellow students on campus under the supervision of Kymberlee Montgomery, DNP, a clinical professor of nursing and senior associate dean of nursing and student affairs, and Kimberly McClellan, EdD, assistance clinical professor. The University looked to Montgomery and McClellan to head up the its contact tracing and testing efforts.

Read the full story here.

December 11
NAP Selects Montgomery as New Fellow

Kymberlee Montgomery, DNP, a clinical professor of nursing and senior associate dean of Nursing and Student Affairs, has been elected as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in Nursing after a nomination by NAP fellow Rita Adeniran, DRNP, an assistant clinical professor in Graduate Nursing.

A distinguished practitioner, scholar or policy fellow within NAP is an honor that acknowledges outstanding achievement and leadership. The Class of 2021 fellows will be inducted in a ceremony at their Virtual Annual Meeting & Forum entitled “NAP's 40th Interprofessional Celebration: Advocating, Advancing and Thriving Together.”

Congratulations, Dr. Montgomery!

December 9
Apply to Join the Board of Global Health Engagement

The Board of Global Health Engagement is currently seeking board members for a two-year time commitment to start in January 2021 from the following categories: graduate student, nursing faculty, nursing academic advisor and faculty in health professions (outside of Health Administration, Counseling and Family Therapy and Physician Assistant program). As part of your application, please answer this questions:

Why are you interested in joining the board and what do you hope to accomplish over your two year term?

Your response should not exceed one page. Please be sure to highlight your interest in promoting global health engagement opportunities for students, faculty and/or staff and ideas about how to grow and support this type of engagement.

Applicants will then be notified about the second step in the process, which is a 15-minute meeting or phone dialogue with a member of the board to assure continued interest and congruence with the board’s goals. Please send your interest statement to Kate Clark by Friday, December 18 with the Subject line: CNHP Board of Global Healthcare Engagement Application.

Final board member selections will be announced in early January 2021.

December 8
Undergraduate Nursing ACE Alumni Sit on Panel for Current Students

Undergraduate Nursing faculty Maureen Gonzales, MSN, an assistant clinical professor, and Beth Chiatti, PhD, an associate clinical professor, hosted a virtual alumni panel for fifty current ACE nursing students. The five recent alumni shared their experiences with transition to practice, the COVID work environment, tips for entering the job market and action items for their last term.

The ACE alumni who spoke included Haley Toadvine, BSN ’20, Melissa Sage, BSN ’20, Solana Stratford, BSN ’20, Sarah Markus, BSN ’18, and Amelia Bruckman, BSN ’17.

December 7
Three Faculty Received Spotlight on Series Invitations

The Office of Global Engagement has selected three CNHP faculty members as presenters for the 2020-2021 Spotlight On...Series. They will be presenting their global research and pedagogy to the Drexel community in a prepared 5-7-minute virtual flash talk on their topic.

Christina Devereaux, PhD, an associate clinical professor and program cirector for Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling in the Creative Arts Therapies department is presenting Global Dancing in the COVID-19 Crisis: Drexel Dance/Movement Therapy Program Hosts First Ever Global Student Day in Janyary 2021.

Sandra Friedman, CNM, an assistant clinical professor in Undergraduate Nursing is presenting Reducing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Uganda in March 2021.

Maura Nitka, MSN, an assistant clinical professor in Undergraduate Nursing is presenting An International Clinical Experience for Nursing Majors in May 2021.

December 4
Gambescia presents at Navigating the Challenges of COVID-19

Stephen F. Gambescia, PhD, a clinical professor in the Health Administration department presented at a Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine CE course. The theme was Navigating the Challenges of Covid-19 and Gambescia's presentation was entitled Covid-19 Pandemic in the U.S.: How the Founding Principles of Federalism & Public Health Worked, or Did Not Work.

December 3
Kemery Appointed to Emergency Nursing Education Advisory Council

Dana Kemery, EdD, the director of Innovative Course Design and Technological Infusion and an associate clinical professor in undergraduate nursing, has been appointed to the Emergency Nursing Education Advisory Council effective 1/1/2021 through 12/31/2022.

Congratulations Dr. Kemery!

December 3
CNHP Community Read 2021 Announced

The CNHP boards of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Global Healthcare Engagement are launching a community read in January 2021 to explore issues of social and racial justice and promote global health solidarity.

The first community read will be the novel "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas. More information about the book and related community read events will be coming in January.

Please contact Health Administration department associate teaching professors Jess Ballenger, PhD, or Sharrona Pearl, PhD, with any questions.

December 1
Center's Sports Dietitians Hoist MLS Supporters Shield

Center for Nutrition & Performance Sports Dietitians Hoist MLS Supporters’ Shield

Under the direction of Department of Nutrition Sciences faculty member, Nyree Dardarian, MS, an assistant clinical professor, the Center for Nutrition & Performance provides sports nutrition services and programming for the Philadelphia Union. This season, the Philadelphia Union was awarded Major League Soccer’s Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record across all 26 teams in the league.

As support members to the team, sports dietitians Nyree Dardarian, an assistant clinical professor and the Center's director, Kellsey Frank, MS, the assistant director, and Andrea Irvine, MS, were given the honor of holding the Supporters’ Shield.

December 1
Tuesday Topic: Same Story, Different Generation: Barriers to Students in Higher Education
- December 1
- 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Current graduate students and alumni are will share what it takes as marginalized students to navigate the halls of CNHP through to graduation and will discuss strategies and tools they used to be successful. This Tuesday Topic is essential for faculty, professional staff, and students to see and hear how some history should not be repeated.

Register

Check out upcoming Tuesday Topics here.
December 1
Altasan's Dissertation Proposal Defense Scheduled
Please join the Department of Nutrition Sciences for the Proposal Defense of Asma Altasan (Nutrition Sciences Department).
- December 16
- 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Join via Zoom
- Passcode: 378029
The title of her Dissertation is Ethnic, Body Composition and Dietary Factors as Determinants of Vitamin D Status.

Committee Members: Deeptha Sukumar, PhD, (Chair), associate professor, Department of Nutrition Sciences, Jennifer Nasser, PhD, associate professor, Department of Nutrition Sciences, Michael Bruneau, PhD, assistant teaching professor, Health Sciences Department, Arun Ramakrishnan, PhD, director of Research Labs, and Joseph Kindler, PhD, assistant professor, Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia.
December 1