Thursday, April 24, 2003 TODAY
School of Nursing news
- School of Nursing names alumni of the year and other awards at banquet
- School of Nursing celebrates 98th year with alumni weekend
School of Nursing names alumni of the year and other awards at banquet
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| Marilyn Christian Smith Gearing, EdD, MSN, PHN, FAAN, former dean and professor emeritus of the School of Nursing received the Lifetime Achievement Award. |
During the School of Nursing alumni banquet “2003: Nursing is Timeless” the
lifetime achievement, alumni of the year, and other awards were presented. The
banquet was held April 5, in Wong Kerlee International Conference Center.
The awards were presented by Katty Joy Fenton French, PhD, RN, associate professor,
School of Nursing; June Jepson Hibbard, MPH, PHN; and Eva Goodlett Miller, MS,
RN, associate professor, School of Nursing.
Lifetime achievement
The School of Nursing Alumni Association honored one of its honorary members,
Marilyn Christian Smith Gearing, EdD, MSN, PHN, FAAN, former dean and professor
emeritus of the School of Nursing, with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Marilyn Christian was born in Trenton, New Jersey to Pastor and Mrs. R. J. Christian
who had recently returned from mission service in British Guiana [now Guyana].
Her mother often told the story of how Marilyn was born in a taxi on the way
to the hospital while her father was speaking at a nearby Seventh-day Adventist
church.
“ Marilyn has been in a hurry to proceed with life ever since,” her
mother used to say. As a young girl, Dr. Gearing recalls seeing her mother driving
a
black county car marked “public health nurse” while visiting patients
in their neighborhood. Dr. Gearing was fascinated and impressed with this type
of community health program.
Inspired by her family, she enrolled in the nursing program at Columbia Union
College in Takoma Park, Maryland. She received her baccalaureate degree in nursing
in 1954. She continued her education at Catholic University of America and was
awarded the MSN degree in nursing administration and community health in 1957.
During these years, she served as an instructor in public health nursing at Columbia
Union College, Takoma Park, Maryland.
Before leaving Columbia Union College she was appointed associate chair of the
department of nursing. She later worked as supervisor and tuberculosis nursing
consultant for the City of Richmond health department, Richmond, Virginia.
 |
| Michael E. Galbraith, PhD, RN (right), professor, School of Nursing, Graduate School, and alumnus of the class of 1978, receives his Alumnus of the Year Award from Eva Goodlett Miller, MS, RN, associate professor, School of Nursing. |
In 1963, Dr. Gearing moved westward and began her academic and research
career at Loma Linda University. She was associate professor of community
health nursing
and administrator of the new Loma Linda University Medical Center home care department.
In 1968, she was selected as dean-elect and continued as professor of community
health nursing until her appointment as dean and professor of Loma Linda University
School of Nursing in 1969.
During her 12-year tenure as dean, Dr. Gearing served in a variety of professional
organizations and national taskforces on Federal health legislation. She chaired
the preparation of a report for the U.S. Congress titled “Analysis and
Planning for Improved Distribution of Nursing Personnel and Services.” She
organized and presented workshops for nursing leaders in a number of national
and international settings. These were focused on improving nurse-patient relationships
and teaching and administration in nursing.
Along with her responsibilities as dean and her national and international efforts
for nursing, she majored in higher education and obtained an EdD degree in 1974
from University of Southern California. In 1979, she became a fellow in the American
Academy of Nursing.
After her years as dean, she married Maurice Smith. Her professional interests
were focused on nursing staff development and nursing research aimed at improving
patient outcomes in the operating room setting at Loma Linda University Medical
Center.
In 1990, she returned to teaching and curriculum development for LLUSN. She worked
with Loma Linda University Church of Seventh-day Adventists to create a parish-nursing
program as part of the community health nursing experience for School of Nursing
senior students. She was active in community organizations. One major accomplishment
of these groups was the development of an immunization tracking system for San
Bernardino and Riverside counties.
A committed scholar and educator, after her formal retirement in 1998, she continued
to serve the School of Nursing in various assignments. She leaves a legacy of
excellence in nursing education and practice. Nursing students, faculty, administrators,
researchers, and their patients continue to reap the benefits of her life-long
devotion to the nursing profession and health for all peoples.
 |
| Class of 1953 alumna Colleen Buchanan Ackerman, RN (right), receives the Alumna of the Year Award from Katty Joy Fenton French, PhD, RN, associate professor, School of Nursing. |
Dr. Gearing is married to Walt Gearing and they live in Loma Linda.
Dr. Gearing’s plaque reads: “Loma Linda University School of Nursing
Alumni Association honors Marilyn Christian Smith Gearing, EdD, MSN, RN, PHN,
FAAN, an honorary member for visionary leadership, excellence in teaching and
mentoring faculty and students, clinical researcher, and community servant while
professor and dean of LLUSN. Alumni are indebted to you for Loma Linda University
School of Nursing’s national recognition and commitment to excellence in
nursing education. Lifetime Achievement Award April 5, 2003.”
Alumnus of the Year
Presented with the School of Nursing Alumnus of the Year Award was Michael E.
Galbraith, PhD, RN.
Dr. Galbraith, professor of both the Loma Linda University School of Nursing
and Graduate School, department of psychology, graduated from the Loma Linda
University School of Nursing graduate program in 1978 with a major in mental
health nursing. He began his professional career as a urology team coordinator
in 1975 and developed a urology nurse aide certification process.
A year later he changed his professional focus to psychiatric nursing, in which
he has maintained his clinical skills. He is a psychiatric nurse specialist and
consultant for Loma Linda University Medical Center Home Care Agency since 1993.
Dr. Galbraith began his academic teaching career at Loma Linda University School
of Nursing in 1980. Since that time, he has taught psychiatric/mental health
nursing at the sophomore and senior levels as well as research in the senior
level. His current teaching assignment in the Graduate School are research courses,
health psychology, and grant writing at the master’s and PhD levels.
He holds a PhD degree from Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, in social psychology
granted in 1989. He also completed a post-doctoral preparation in social support
with the University of California, San Francisco, in 1993.
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| School of Nursing undergraduate student Stephanie Simon receives the Meritorious Scholarship Award from Dr. French while Ms. Miller looks on. |
Dr. Galbraith has a strong commitment to the development of the science
of nursing. His early scientific exploration related to men in nontraditional
occupations,
and he has published articles about the factors that attract men to nursing.
More recently, his research interest relates to quality of life issues with men
diagnosed with prostate cancer and their spouses. As primary investigator, he
has been the recipient of a number of federal and foundation grants supporting
this research. He has made presentations and authored numerous publications on
these issues.
As president of the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the
honor society for nursing, he was a strong supporter of the development of an
annual competitive research grant for members as a way of supporting and encouraging
members as they pursue their programs of research.
In his faculty role in the School of Nursing, he is a strong voice for faculty
governance and professional development. He actively supported the development
of the doctoral program, the School’s newest program.
The School of Nursing commends Dr. Galbraith for advocating the essential role
of the empirical process in the development of nursing science and his modeling
of nursing scholarship.
Dr. Galbraith’s plaque reads: “Loma Linda University School of Nursing
Alumni Association honors Michael E. Galbraith, PhD, RN, innovator, educator,
researcher, author, consultant for extraordinary commitment to the scholarship
of nursing and the development of nursing science related to men’s health
and quality of life issues and attracting men to the nursing profession. Alumnus
of the Year Award April 5, 2003.”
Alumna of the Year
Also presented with the Alumna of the Year Award was Colleen Buchanan Ackerman,
RN.
Ms. Ackerman graduated from Loma Linda University School of Nursing in 1953.
During a long and satisfying nursing career, she accepted the challenge of being
involved in a wide variety of roles in diverse settings. In the early years of
her career she did office nursing in a general practice office, and clinic and
home visit nursing at Kaiser Permanente. In 1957, she entered the field of occupational
health nursing. It was to this specialty field that she devoted her time and
energy for the next four decades.
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| Ms. Miller poses for a photo with nursing graduate student Georgina Manning after she was presented with the Meritorious Scholarship Award |
Ms. Ackerman is a pioneer who was on the cutting edge of change in the
evolving field of occupational health nursing. She worked in widely
different environments,
from a General Motors plant to the world’s largest semi-conductor company,
Intel Corporation. During her career she experienced such divergent activities
as assisting with medical exams for food handler crews in the salmon industry
on their way to Alaska for the season and working for a company engaged in research
and development related to nuclear warheads.
As an occupational health nurse she has monitored lead workers, handled trauma
cases, dealt with management and union issues, carried out safety inspections,
and developed and monitored ergonomic assessments of employee workstations in
the modern era of computers.
She has done nursing exams for repetitive injuries, developed infection control
plans and pregnancy policy manuals, dealt with the issue of breastfeeding for
new mothers in the workplace, health promotion, and counseling. While engaged
with these responsibilities, she studied and became a licensed X-ray technologist
to provide X-ray procedures at the worksite.
In addition to demanding work responsibilities, Ms. Ackerman found time to perform
mission service at Monument Valley Hospital and Buff Bay, Jamaica, in the West
Indies. And she was a secretarial volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Perhaps
most importantly, she is a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
During retirement she continues to seek out opportunities for public service.
She launched a parish nurse program
at Orangevale Seventh-day Adventist Church and is engaged with the Friends of
Folsom Library. She also contributes her talents as a docent for the Folsom Power-house
State Historic Park.
In recognition of her distinguished nursing career the School of Nursing honors
Ms. Ackerman for meritorious service and recognize her leadership as a pioneer
in the field of occupational health nursing.
Ms. Ackerman’s plaque reads: “Loma Linda University School of Nursing
Alumni Association honors Colleen Ackerman, BS, RN, ARRT, for extraordinary commitment
to professional nursing in ambulatory, occupational health, mission, and church
settings. She is commended for innovation in promoting health and safety of America’s
workforce and their families. Alumna of the Year Award, April 5, 2003.”
Merit scholarships
For many years, the alumni association has had as one of its goals to recognize
excellence in students and alumni through awards. Alumni of the Year awards have
been presented to deserving alumni since 1967, but the alumni board was concerned
that the organization’s goal was not being fully met, as students achieving
excellence were not being recognized.
A committee was formed and the description, criteria, eligibility, nature of
the award, and procedures for application were created in 1995. The first merit
scholarships were given in 1996. The School of Nursing Alumni Association merit
scholarship is conferred annually to one undergraduate student and one graduate
student who best demonstrate excellence in their respective programs. The award
criteria are based on the purposes of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor
society of nursing.
Undergraduate nominees for the award must have completed 20 units in residence
of their respective programs, have achieved a grade point average of 3.7 or higher,
be committed to completing their respective programs, and be able to meet the
award criteria. This criterion is intended to identify students who demonstrate
excellence in their academic professional preparation.
The two merit scholarship awards were presented during the alumni banquet to
graduate student Georgina Manning, and undergraduate student Stephanie Simon.
Ms. Manning received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at
El Paso in 1995. She currently works as an RN in the pediatric intensive care
unit at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.
Ms. Manning is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, and has consistently maintained a
GPA of 3.7 or higher while attending the School of Nursing’s graduate program.
Ms. Manning’s plaque reads: “Loma Linda University School of Nursing
Alumni Association honors Georgina Manning, BS, for superior academic achievement
during her graduate education and commitment to her professional goals and those
she serves with the Meritorious Scholarship Award, April 5, 2003.”
Ms. Simon is currently a junior at Loma Linda University School of Nursing.
“ I have learned more than I anticipated in attending nursing school at
Loma Linda,” Ms.
Simon recounts.
“ I have learned that nurses are not just seen as supportive medical personnel,
but that they are the day-to-day emotional support, the positive attitude, the
person that provides the constant smile to make a dying person’s existence
worthwhile.”
Ms. Simon is on the dean’s list and maintains a 4.0 GPA.
Ms. Simon’s plaque reads: “Loma Linda University School of Nursing
Alumni Association honors Stephanie Simon, for superior academic achievement
during her undergraduate education and commitment to her professional goals and
those she serves with the Meritorious Scholarship Award, April 5, 2003.”
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School of Nursing celebrates 98th year with alumni weekend
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| Members of the 50-year class of 1953 examine a photo collage of pictures from when they attended the School of Nursing. |
The School of Nursing celebrated its 98th year with an alumni weekend
held April
5 through 7 on the Loma Linda campus.
The honoree vespers program was held Sabbath afternoon in the Campus Chapel of
University Church. More than 100 alumni and family members attended the program.
During the vespers program, each honored class was invited to the front of the
room for a picture and to share with the rest of the classes some of their memories
from throughout the years.
No representatives from the classes of 1973 and 1978 were available, but the
classes of 1943, 1953, 1968, and 1993 were represented.
Attendees were treated to several stories, including one from an alumna of the
class of 1943 that biked up to the Artic at the age of 75.
The class of 1953 told the attendees that Loma Linda University had made them
independent-thinking problem solvers. Their class had the largest turnout.
The class of 1963 shared that it was the first class to live in Kate Lindsey
Hall.
“ I want to thank all of the participants for making vespers such a special
moment
for us,” says Zelne Zamora, MSN, RN, instructor of nursing, School of Nursing.
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| Attendees gather in the foyer of Wong Kerlee International Conference Center for registration and refreshements prior to the School of Nursing homecoming banquet. |
Following the vespers program, each honor class had their picture taken
by a professional photographer, and then a short reception was held in
the foyer of
Wong Kerlee International Conference Center prior to the alumni banquet.
“ Homecoming is always a special time for alumni from the School of Nursing
to
get reconnected with their classmates and with their alma mater,” says
Diana Fisher, MA, director of development, School of Nursing.
The alumni banquet, titled “2003: Nursing is Timeless” began with
a welcome, devotional, and invocation from
Dr. Hart.
Banquet attendees were treated to a lavish dinner featuring a Mediterranean cuisine
of eggplant, falafel balls, and tabouli salad. School of Nursing students were
available to help usher alumni and their family members who had difficulty walking.
Dr. King presented an update of the School of Nursing, including current faculty
research, outreach in foreign countries, and student enrollment.
After Dr. King’s update, Ms. Zamora offered the House of Thrift (HOT) volunteer
report. The School of Nursing offered its thanks to House of Thrift volunteers
and employees for their continued support of the program.
Two Meritorious Scholarship Awards were then presented. The undergraduate award
was given to Stephanie Simon. The graduate award was given to Georgina Manning.
Alumni of the year awards were presented by Katty Joy Fenton French, PhD, RN,
associate professor, School of Nursing; Eva Goodlett Miller, MS, RN, associate
professor, School of Nursing; and June Jepson Hibbard, MPH, PHN, to Michael E.
Galbraith, PhD, RN, professor of the School of Nursing and the Graduate School,
and alumnus of the class of 1978; and class of 1953 alumna Colleen Buchanan Ackerman,
RN.
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| Alumni homecoming organizers (from left) Dynette Hart, DrPH, RN, assistant professor, School of Nursing, and president, School of Nursing Alumni Association; Zelne Zamora, MSN, RN, instructor of nursing; and Hazel Wood, School of Nursing Alumni Association secretary, pose for a photo following the homecoming banquet. |
(For more information on these award winners, see “School of Nursing names
Alumni of the Year and other awards during banquet” story in this issue
of TODAY).
A special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Marilyn Christian Smith
Gearing, EdD, MSN, PHN, FAAN, former dean and professor emeritus.
Dr. Gearing was unable to attend the banquet due to illness but Marilyn Herrmann,
PhD, RN, associate dean of the undergraduate program, School of Nursing, accepted
the award on Dr. Gearing’s behalf and read a statement from Dr. Gearing.
“ Just 40 years ago this month I received a phone call from Dr. Godfrey
T. Anderson,
then president of the newly named Loma Linda University,” Dr. Gearing
wrote.
“ He was passing on a ‘call’ to me to come to the LLU School
of Nursing from Virginia where I was then a public health supervisor. LLU wanted
me to chair
and teach public health nursing in the School of Nursing.
“ Hesitantly I accepted, sensing God’s calling to a ‘needy
field.’ Little did I think I would stay here longer than a year or two!
Little did I realize
what a blessing this would be to me. God has blessed abundantly.
“ Now you have granted me a Lifetime Achievement Award tonight. Humbly
and very most gratefully I accept. But I must quickly hasten to add that this
award should not be mine but rather to God Himself and to all the students,
alum, and faculty who have made these past years such a joy and such a challenge.
You
are the individuals who made this School of Nursing great! My sincere thanks
to each one of you.”
The class gifts for 2003 were then presented by representatives from each class.
The 50-year class of 1953 gave $20,000 for the School of Nursing Centennial Fellowship
Campaign.
The 40-year class of 1963 provided more than $3,400 for student scholarships,
Learning Resource Center, and the School of Nursing annual fund.
The 30-year class of 1973 gave more than $3,700 for an ongoing scholarship for
students in nursing practitioner training to be given in memory of Robin B. Rogers,
an alumna of 1973.
The class of 1993 provided $768 for skills lab equipment.
“ The honor classes were incredible with their support of the School of
Nursing,” responds
Ms. Fisher. “This weekend was their time to shine, but they wanted to
give back to their alma mater. We are so grateful for their generous gifts.”
The School of Nursing was established in the fall of 1905, graduating its first
class in 1907. Two years ago, the School graduated its 6,000th student. In 2005,
the School will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
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Thursday, April 24, 2003 TODAY
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