"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.

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. 

2013 National Senior Games - Cleveland, Ohio

Jackie Owens gives a runner a glass of water.

The 2013 National Senior Games were held in Cleveland, Ohio from July 19 through August 2.  Nursing faculty members Karen Estridge, director of the Ashland University Gerontology program, and Jackie Owens, director of the RN-BSN program represented the College of Nursing and Health Sciences as volunteers at several events.  

On July 25, Karen and Jackie were results runners for the men’s volleyball tournament held at the new Cleveland Convention Center.  

On July 29 and 30, they volunteered as track assistants for various men’s races and as hydration team members for the 1500 meter race walk.   The National Senior Games, held every two years, features athletes from ages 50 up in various sports and attracted a few athletes from other countries. 

Karen Estridge reports volleyball game results.

Dr. Owens presents at 2013 Ethnographic Qualitative Research Conference

Dr. Jacqueline Owens, assistant professor of nursing, presented at the 2013 Ethnographic Qualitative Research Conference held June 7-8, 2013, at Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH.  In the oral presentation, "Participant Recruitment Strategies: Meet Challenges and Increase Rigor," Owens discussed barriers and strategies for novice qualitative researchers in the context of conducting interviews and focus groups. Specific strategies related to accessing informants from a distance and seeking members of selected vulnerable populations.

Nurses Day at the Statehouse 2013

On February 20, 2013 faculty and students from the Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences joined nurses from across the state for “Nurses Day at the Statehouse” (NDASH) in Columbus, Ohio.

Throughout the day, sessions were held addressing legislative news and information pertaining to nursing and the healthcare community.  Participants learned how to effectively communicate with legislators and heard success stories from nurses in action.  One in every fifty voters in the U.S is a registered nurse.  There is power in nursing!

Ashland University traditional nursing students and RN to BSN students attended the day-long event.  RN to BSN students attended NDASH as part of their senior capstone course in “Legal, Ethical & Political Perspectives in Nursing.”  These students also attended a prearranged meeting with an elected official while at the Statehouse as part of their capstone experience.  

Faculty and students enjoyed the various informational sessions and were able to take a behind-the-scenes look at the Ohio Statehouse and its history.  

RN to BSN students with Program Director Jackie Owens

Lauren Hale and Caitlin Jones

Governor John Kasich