Month: September 2023

College of Nursing and UTMC Hold Ribbon-cutting Ceremony to Celebrate BSN Scholars Facility

The University of Tennessee Medical Center and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing celebrated the opening of the BSN Scholars Facility with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 25.

The new state-of-the-art simulation and learning lab were funded by the medical center for the BSN Scholars partnership, a groundbreaking academic-practice partnership that provides nursing students with an unparalleled opportunity to learn at a respected academic medical center. The newly established satellite location at UT Research Park symbolizes the commitment of both institutions to advancing nursing education, preparing future nursing professionals for the challenges of the field, and meeting regional workforce needs.

“This innovative program will allow more students to pursue the health care career they want—changing not only their lives but the lives of patients they care for and the communities they serve,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman, “It’s a testament to what’s possible when you have a partner like UTMC that shares our vision and mission of making life and lives better for Tennesseans.”

Victoria Niederhauser, College of Nursing dean, spoke at the event, telling the crowd how the partnership was formed.

“We knew that the old tactics were not going to solve today’s nursing workforce issue, so together we built a new approach to increase the recruitment pool — the BSN Nurse Scholars Program,” she said. “This program not only accelerates academic learning but also bridges the transition from classroom education to the clinical setting. I commend the commitment of UTMC for providing financial support and enabling nursing students to gain valuable experience at the very institution they will eventually serve.”

Also speaking at the ceremony were Joe Landsman, CEO of UTMC and Sandy Leake, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at UTMC.

As attendees looked on, representatives of both institutions came together for the ribbon cutting that symbolically inaugurated the new facility. The gesture underscored the unity of purpose driving the endeavor and marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in nursing education.

Following the ceremony, attendees were invited into the facility for tours and refreshments.

—

CONTACT:

Kara Clark (865-974 9498, [email protected])

Knoxville Runners: College of Nursing’s Precious Prints 5k will be held October 28 through November 4

For the eleventh year in a row, UT’s Student Nurses Association will host its annual Sprint for the Prints 5K Run and Walk.

This event will support the Precious Prints Project, which provides free fingerprint charms to families who are grieving the loss of a child. The project aims at helping families channel their grief in a healthy, compassionate way.

This year’s run will once again be held virtually. The virtual format allows participants to complete the 3.1 miles at any time from October 28 through November 4.

There will also be an in-person Kick-off Celebration on October 28 at UT Gardens. The celebration will feature fun family activities, maps of sample courses, and t-shirt pickup. There will also be a time of remembering children through a fingerprint board, time of reflection, and an official start for those who choose to participate on their own.

UT nursing students manage the project in its entirety. They collect funds year-round to buy materials to produce the charms, and train nurses in area hospitals on obtaining fingerprints and caring for the families during their devastating loss.

“As nursing students, we have a passion to help heal others,” said Sophia Vlattas, senior nursing student. “Being a part of the Precious Prints Project gives us this opportunity as we help grieving families in the most difficult of times. Through fundraising events like the Sprint for the Prints, we can provide silver pendants with a child’s fingerprint completely free of charge to families who have lost a child in the hospital. Seeing the community of strong mothers and families these prints have built is why we truly love this project. We are honored to be able to plan events like the Sprint for the Prints to continue to raise money and help serve as many families as we can.” 

Since January 2011, more than 2000 families have received a pendant.

“The effort and dedication that have gone into organizing this event is truly commendable,” said Lynne Miller, program director. “This annual event is a manifestation of unity, compassion, and the unwavering support we provide to families through the Precious Prints Project. I am truly honored to be a part of the Sprint, and I invite everyone to join us in making a meaningful impact.”

Registration for the run is open online now!

—

CONTACT:

Kara Clark Cardwell ([email protected], 865-974-9498)