College news
Physician Assistant Program
PA faculty, students attends MAPA conference
Physician Assistant students and faculty attended the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA) Fall CME Conference at the Grand Traverse Resort, Oct. 11-14. Students participated in the quiz bowl and PA Associate Professors Sharon Moser and Suzanne York presented at the conference. York, UDM's PA Program chair, also participated as a member of the MAPA Board of Directors.
UDM PA group at MAPA conference in October.
Allison Kupets receives Michigan PA Foundation scholarship
The Michigan Physician Assistant (PA) Foundation provides annual scholarship awards to PA students attending one of five PA Programs at Michigan universities. This year, Allison Kupets, UDM PA student class of 2008, was awarded the Michigan PA Foundation scholarship at the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA) Fall CME Conference at the Grand Traverse Resort, Oct. 12.
2007 graduates celebrate completion of their studies
The PA class of 2007, pictured below, celebrated completion of their studies with a ceremony and champagne on Friday, Aug. 17. American Academy of Physician Assistants President Gregor Bennett gave the keynote speech and Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants President Jime Kilmark was present to congratulate the graduates. Tamara German, MS, PA, president of the class of 2007, gave the closing remarks and the celebration toast.
The PA class of 2007
Nurse Anesthesiology
Memorial Fund
Nurse Anesthesiology faculty and alumni raised $16,000 this year for the Russ Morrison Nurse Anesthesia Fund. The fund was named in memory of Russ Morrision, CRNA, a consummate professional who was very involved in the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Fall graduation
Twenty-four nurse anesthesiology students are scheduled to graduate this fall. A graduation celebration is planned for Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Detroit Yacht Club.
Health Services Administration
Enrollment
This fall, the Health Services Administration program welcomed 24 new students to the graduate program and 38 new and transfer students to the undergraduate program. As a result of the new five-year Physician Assistant program, HSA faculty members are teaching two introductory courses to undergraduates this term. The new graduate students are from a variety of health care backgrounds and bring a wealth of experience to the program.
Accreditation
A consultant and vice president from the Commission on Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) met with the HSA faculty to review the program and offer advice for gaining accreditation. The faculty are in the process of revising the curriculum and responding to the visitors' suggestions. A full report is expected by the end of October. The faculty will meet throughout the academic year to respond to the report and to make improvements as suggested.
Student activities
The students are in the process of electing officers for the Health Services Administration Student Chapter. Students may also apply for membership in the professional organization, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Graduate students will also be participating in the annual Job Shadow Event to be held in February 2008.
Nursing
Grand Rapids program to expand
The collaborative program in nursing between UDM, Aquinas College and St. Mary's Health Care in Grand Rapids, which has shown marked growth, has received approval to increase the number of students admitted to the program every year. Currently, more than 150 students are in the program.
Nursing scholarship
The Grand Rapids Nursing Program also recently received a $105,000 endowment from the Keeler Foundation for scholarships specifically for the nursing students enrolled in the UDM/Aquinas/Saint Mary's Health Care collaborative program. Three students each year will receive a $1,500 scholarship; the recipients of the scholarship this year are: Johanna Kessel (sophomore), Mollie Mervenne (junior) and Katherine Haisma (senior).
The scholarship is based on grade point average, financial need, and student characteristics that demonstrate Catholic values. The recipients of the scholarship are asked to work for two years at Saint Mary's Health Care upon graduation. Faculty members determine the recipients of the scholarship. The donor created the endowment as a small attempt to assist with alleviating the nursing shortage and keeping nurses in West Michigan. She also values Catholic education and supports Saint Mary's Health Care.
