"Weight Loss in Women: An Interdisciplinary Study" - Dr. Karen Estridge

Karen Estridge, DNP, RN

Dr. Karen Estridge, Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences recently presented a poster at the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society Region 10 Conference, “Bridging Nursing Leadership and Research - What Will the Future Hold?” in Ann Arbor, MI.   Karen is the primary investigator for an interprofessional study with Dr. Melissa Snyder, Dr. Beth Patton, and Mrs. Denise Reed titled, Weight Loss in Women:  An Interdisciplinary Study that involves students from Nursing, Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Dietetics.  The students work in teams to design programs that assist participants to meet weight loss goals.

Nursing Faculty Member Billie Maglott MSN, RN along with Junior Nursing Students Kellie Cline (SNA President), Sarah Mormino, and Morgan Lauderbaugh presented a poster entitled Providing Culturally Competent Healthcare: The Student Nurse Journey at the Student Nurse National Convention held in Nashville on April 9-12, 2014. The National Student Nurses Association is a pre-professional organization where nursing students develop leadership skills and learn how to become change agents in their future healthcare profession. Nursing Faculty SNA Co-Advisor Laura Gilmore MS, RN traveled with the group as well. 

Faculty: Billie Maglott, MSN, RN
Nursing Students: Kellie Cline, Sarah Morimino, Morgan Lauderbaugh

RN to BSN Student Receives Nursing Scholarship

Courtney Dill, Linda Nelson, Lynn Friebel, Missy Compton, and Jackie Owens

Ashland University RN to BSN student Melissa (Missy) Compton recently received the Wanda June Humphrey Nursing Scholarship.  On December 23, Lynn Fribel, Director of the Shelby Foundation, presented the award to Missy on her unit at MedCentral Health System.  Missy holds the position of Clinical Leader of the Birthing Suite.  Courtney Dill, Nurse Manager of the perinatal unit, Linda Nelson, Director of Perinatal Services and Jackie Owen, Director of the RN to BSN program were present for the scholarship presentation.  Missy will graduate in May 2014 with a BSN and is exploring options for graduate eduction.

Ms. Friebel also shared the following information about Wanda June Humphrey and the Nursing Scholarship.  Wanda June Humphrey graduated from Shelby High School in 1942.  She went right into war work at the former Autocall plant.  In 1947, she started attending Mansfield General School of Nursing and graduated as a registered nurse in 1950.  Not long after she passed her state board exam, she signed up with the Navy.  She was never on a ship the entire six years.  She was a general nurse and often worked in dependents’ wards, which is where the families of service members were treated.  While at St. Alban’s Navy Hospital on Long Island, New York,  she decided six years was enough and came home to Shelby.  She went to work at Shelby Memorial Hospital as an operating nurse.  She wanted to work in the operating room since she started nursing school.  At Shelby, she got her wish and spent 26 years as an OR nurse.  “I really enjoyed nursing, it was hard work, but very rewarding and had a lot of fun” she said.  On December 31, 1983 she retired. Wanda has been blessed with opportunities and memories through her nursing career and wants to share her passion through granting continuing education scholarships for registered nurses. 

Applicants for the Wanda June Humphrey Nursing Scholarship must hold an active Registered Nurse license in the State of Ohio, reside in Richland County, and be employed while attending school.  The first scholarship was awarded in 2010. 

Navajo Reservation Cultural Immersion Course

Last spring, Ashland University (AU) nursing students and faculty traveled to Window Rock, Arizona as part of the Navajo Reservation Cultural Immersion course.  The Navajo reservation is the size of West Virginia. Window Rock is the capital of the Navajo Nation.  Nursing students Scott Cyders, Samantha Green, Jonathan Horst, Wesley Kyser, and Sara Mull participated in the week long immersion.  Faculty members Sharon See and Nancy Thorne led the students on this cultural journey May 14-20, 2013.  

The week started with the students and faculty meeting Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden.    Jill was staying at the hotel on the reservation then traveling to Navajo Technical College to give the commencement address.

Back: Wesley Kyser, Scott Cyders, Jonathon Horst
Front: Sara Mull, Samantha Green, Dr. Jill Biden, Sharon See, Nancy Thorne

While at the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital, students and faculty learned how the hospital integrates traditional Navajo healing practices into western medicine.  They had the opportunity to see traditional Navajo Hogans and sweat lodges used in patient care.  The students and faculty joined Aaron Sams, a traditional healer employed by the hospital, for two blessing ceremonies.  One was in a Hogan and the other in a teepee.   Students saw both Christian and traditional Navajo beliefs integrated in the blessings.  Herbs, feathers, a bone whistle, singing and praying were part of these ceremonies.  

Students were able to see various types of sweat lodges while at the reservation.  Most sweat lodges were circular in shape and covered with earth.  The Navajo placed heated rocks in the center of the sweat lodge and people would sit around the hot rocks in the dark.  Sweating in the dark is viewed by the Navajo as a purifying type of healing practice.

Left to Right:  Wesley Kyser, Scott Cyders, Sharon See,
Samantha Green, Jonathon Horst, Sara Mull, Nancy Thorne

Ashland University nursing students also hosted a cookout at the Rio Puerco Youth Center for the children.  Students enjoyed playing games with the Navajo children.  After last year’s cultural immersion trip, the AU Student Nurse Association (SNA) began a “Shoebox Christmas” program.  Students and faculty purchased small toys, educational supplies, mittens, hats, gloves, and other items for the children on the reservation.  The College of Nursing sent 50 decorated shoeboxes full of small gifts to the children at the Rio Puerco Community Center last year.  

Left to Right: Jonathon Horst, Scott Cyders,
Sara Mull, Samantha Green, Wesley Kyser

 While at the reservation, students enjoyed hiking Canyon De Chelly, Window Rock, and exploring the White House Ruins.    

The Navajo Cultural Immersion course, HS 380, is offered every spring semester.  During pre-immersion coursework students study the Navajo culture and traditional healing practices.  At the course conclusion, students spend a week on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona in May.  For more information on the exciting opportunity please contact Sharon See ssee@ashland.edu or Nancy Thorne nthorne@ashland.edu .