School of Nursing happenings

Aug. 5 — Leadership alumna named NBNA Under 40 Award winner
Sheree Criner, an alumna from the Class of 2018 master’s-degree leadership program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, was named an Under 40 Award winner from the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). When handing out awards at the NBNA national convention in Atlanta, President Martha A. Dawson said, “These nurses are our present and our future. They are the next generation of nurse leaders.” Sheree is a director of surgical specialties at Kaiser Permanente. She, along with fellow School of Nursing graduates, helped found the Capitol City Black Nurses Association, the Sacramento NBNA chapter. Founded in 1971, NBNA is a professional organization representing 308,000 African American registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and nursing students in 108 chapters and 34 states.

Aug. 1 — Professor emeritus publishes chapter on mentoring LatinX nursing students
Mary Lou de Leon Siantz, a professor emeritus at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, published “Transforming the Compass: Mentoring LatinX Psychiatric Nursing Students for a Multicultural Society” in Mentoring in Nursing through Narrative Stories Across the World. Mary Lou shares one story of mentoring focusing on the how these students experience unique barriers and challenges, which, she says, include the need for culturally sensitive mentors to help them achieve success. Mary Lou is internationally respected for her research in migrant population health. The book addresses mentoring trajectories of more than 300 mentor and mentee nurse authors from all continents.

Aug. 1 — Doctor of Philosophy graduate publishes article to advance race equity
Holly Thurston, from the Class of 2016 Doctor of Philosophy Program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, published “Is my work racist? Critical thinking and critical discourse in social work research” in the Children and Youth Services Review. As the corresponding author, Holly led a team arguing for researchers to re-examine their own past, current and future work through a race equity lens. The article offers suggestions for considering research in the context of social justice. Holly is a research analyst at the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. The review is international, multidisciplinary journal that focuses on disadvantaged or otherwise vulnerable children, young people, families and the systems designed to support them.

July 27 — Doctor of Philosophy alumna receives NIH grant for caregiver tool
Michelle Camicia, a 2018 graduate of the Doctor of Philosophy at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, was on a team recently awarded a $275,000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) grant. This grant funds Michelle and her colleagues’ development of a mHealth app to digitize the Preparedness Assessment for the Transition Homeã (PATH) and the associated PATH2Caregivingã program. Michelle developed and validated the PATHã tool for her dissertation project at the School of Nursing. This tool is used to assess family caregivers’ commitment and capacity for the caregiving role and used to develop a plan of care to prepare caregivers for their role.

July 22 — Assistant professor presents at international health care simulation conference
Alex Fauer, an assistant professor in the Family Caregiving Institute at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, presented his collaborative research, “Association of Financial Hardships and Area Deprivation in Long-term Survivors of Childhood Cancer,” at the 34th Annual Sigma International Nursing Research Congress. Alex, who serves as principal investigator and partnered with The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for the study. They examined social determinants of health and financial hardships in long-term survivors of childhood cancer. The Congress, held in Abu Dhabi this year, brings together nurse scientists and leaders from around the world to disseminate their research and connect to broaden the impact of nursing science.

June 15 — Assistant professor presents at international health care simulation conference
Jennifer Edwards, an assistant professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, presented “An Evacuation Shelter Simulation - Increasing Confidence with Nursing Roles During a Disaster” at the annual conference of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL). The session shared grant-funded work to develop, validate and pilot test an evacuation shelter simulation. The simulation learning activity was designed to increase students’ knowledge of the roles of nurses in disaster shelters, and motivation and willingness to work in these settings. Jennifer serves as the school’s director for clinical simulation. INACSL is an association dedicated to advancing the science of healthcare simulation.

June 14 — School of Nursing magazine website wins PR Daily national award
The marketing and communications team at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis won a 2023 Social Media and Digital Award from PR Daily for the 2022 issue of its annual magazine, “Mapping Out Tomorrow’s Health Care.” The magazine is published each fall and serves as a vehicle to engage alumni and donors. It includes features on innovative education programs, current research projects, alumni and student contributions to research, leadership and practice. Presenters said this year’s winners are “an impressive group of finalists who, during a year when social media’s legitimacy and business utility were called into question, demonstrated the power of a sound digital and social strategy.” PR Daily is the preeminent brand for public relations professionals, delivering news, advice, opinions and benchmarking.

June 7 — Assistant professor named inaugural fellow in wound care society
Charleen Singh, an assistant professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, was named an inaugural fellow in the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN). She is one of 12 fellows honored for their significant contributions to the profession and who continue to seek ways to advance the practice of wound, ostomy and continence care for future generations of patients and clinicians. Founded in 1968, WOCN is the largest and most recognized professional nursing community dedicated to advancing the practice and delivery of expert health care to individuals with wound, ostomy and continence care needs.

June 5 — Professor publishes article on cognitive behavior therapy in relation to social anxiety disorder
Philippe Goldin, a professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, is one of several researchers who published “Baseline Severity as a Moderator of the Waiting List–Controlled Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With Symptom Change in Social Anxiety Disorder” in JAMA Psychiatry. The systematic review examined if the baseline severity of social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms moderate the waiting list–controlled association between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and symptom change among adults with SAD. This study suggests that patients who had SAD with higher baseline severity had a larger decrease in symptoms when treated with CBT. Philippe is a clinical neuroscientist who uses functional neuroimaging in the context of randomized controlled trials.

May 19 — Associate professor co-authors editorial on forensic nursing
Jessica Draughon Moret, an associate professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, co-authored the guest editorial in the April/June issue  of the  Journal of Forensic Nursing. In “Forensic Nursing Is a Vehicle for Health Equity,” Jessica demonstrates the multiple ways forensic nurses provide person-centered trauma-informed care. The articles highlight providing forensic nursing care in a gender-affirming manner, care for incarcerated persons, and experiences of historically marginalized populations. Jessica is a forensic nurse and a member of the 2023 cohort of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators.

May 16 — Nursing students inducted into national honor society
Future nurses from the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing were inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. These Master’s Entry Program in Nursing students were among the 49 inducted to the Zeta Eta-at-Large Chapter. The Sac State chapter celebrated the 30th anniversary of its charter in 2012 and became a chapter-at-large in partnership with the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis in 2013.

May 4 — Professor joins team investigating stress from heart disease
Julie Bidwell, an assistant professor in the Family Caregiving Institute at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, serves as an investigator on the new UC Davis PRECISE Center. The team received a $13 million grant from the American Heart Association to study the impact of chronic stress on cardiovascular disease and health. Julie employs dyadic theory and methods to understand how patients and family caregivers manage chronic cardiovascular illness together across the adult lifespan

May 1 — Doctoral student named public scholar fellow
Aron King, a first-year Doctor of Philosophy student at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, has joined the second cohort the Public Scholars for the Future fellowship. This fellowship program of UC Davis Public Scholarship and Engagement prepares the next generation of public scholars to integrate community-centered theories, methods and techniques into their disciplinary field of study, research design and methods. Aron is a graduate of the School of Nursing’s master’s-degree leadership program and an assistant nurse manager at UC Davis Health. 

March 15 — Doctoral graduate and assistant professor publish case study
Jonathan Trask, a Class of 2021 graduate of the Doctor of Philosophy Program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, published “Agitated Delirium Contributes to Missed Testing and Delayed Diagnosis of Gastric Perforation,” on the Patient Safety Network, an online publication of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Jonathan and Assistant Professor Kathleen Carlsen’s spotlight case examines indications and complications associated with nasogastric tube insertion. Take-home points include routinely reassessing the necessity of invasive tubes.

March 15 — School of Nursing doctoral alumnae, professor publish study on COVID-19 and Hmong Americans
Kao Kang Kue “Kaykay” Vang, a Class of 2022 doctoral alumna of Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, and Professor Sheryl Catz published "COVID-19 mitigation behaviors among English-Speaking Hmong Americans" in the BMC Public Health journal. The study investigated Hmong Americans’ contextual and personal characteristics to understand acceptance, adoption and adherence to COVID-19 mitigation behaviors, such as masking and social distancing. The study, which is the focus of Kaykay’s dissertation, found that those characteristics do, in fact, influence COVID-19 mitigation behaviors. Authors conclude there is a need for identifying and implementing culturally appropriate health messages for this population. Catz served as Kaykay’s research mentor. Others who worked on the study include UC Davis’s Christiana Drake and Lorena Garcia, as well as Dian Baker, a nursing professor at Sacramento State.

March 15 — School of Nursing faculty, post-docs publish chapter in physician assistant journal
Brent Luu, a pharmacist and associate professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, led a team who published “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Associated Infections” in Physician Assistant Clinics. The chapter explores epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS). The authors conclude that despite advancements in vaccines and antimicrobial development, life threatening pathogens continue to emerge and re-emerge globally. In addition, pandemic preparedness plans should be developed at all levels to facilitate rapid responses, prevent spread and reduce morbidity and mortality. The publication provides an authoritative and continuously updated clinical information resource that covers all of the relevant PA specialties. School of Nursing contribuors include Virginia Haas, a retired nursing professor, along with alumnae Teuta Kadiu and postdoctoral scholar Victoria Ngo.

March 1 — Faculty publish study on simulation training
A team of faculty from the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing published a study on simulation training on the Patient Safety Network, an online publication of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Associate Deans Amy Nichols and Deb Bakerjian, along with SON simulation director Jennifer Edwards, argue that anyone participating in the design and facilitation of simulation activities be familiar with, and trained in, recently established evidence-based best practices. Deb serves as co-editor in chief of the publication.

Feb. 22 — Professor publishes article on UC Health response to unaccompanied minors
Mary Lou de Leon Siantz, a professor emeritus at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, is one of several University of California Health researchers who published “Academic Health Centers and Humanitarian Crises: One Health System’s Response to Unaccompanied Children at the Border” in Academic Medicine. The article explores the systemwide, rapid response to the humanitarian crisis of unaccompanied children crossing the southern U.S. border in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. The authors report experience demonstrates that health system collaboration resulted in optimal outcomes for unaccompanied children. Mary Lou is internationally respected for her research in migrant population health. The publication is the journal for the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Feb. 2 — Heather M. Young Postdoctoral Fellow, nursing faculty publish research letter
Becca Howe, a Heather M. Young Postdoctoral Fellow, and two Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis faculty recently published the research letter, “Association of social isolation and loneliness with telehealth use among older adults during COVID-19,” in the online Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The letter highlights Becca’s analysis of the 2020-21 National Health and Aging Trends Study to examine relationships between the use of telehealth and social isolation and loneliness among older adults during the first wave the pandemic. This contributes to a broader goal to identify strategies to improve care for high-risk older adults. According to the results of the researchers’ analysis, socially isolated older adults were less likely to use telehealth during the first year of the pandemic, which they felt may have compounded poor health outcomes in an at-risk group. Becca, who is a physician in the UC Davis Health Family and Community Medicine Department, is also a Heather M. Young Postdoctoral Fellow supported by the School of Nursing. Associate Dean for Research Janice Bell and Assistant Professor Julie Bidwell contributed to this letter, along with Family and Community Medicine physicians Joshua J. Fenton, Grace P. Amadi and Alicia L. Agnoli.

Feb. 1 — Nursing professor appointed to national journal board of editors
Jessica Draughon Moret, an associate professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, was appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of Forensic Nursing, a journal of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). The journal is dedicated to the advancement of forensic nursing scholarship and publishes articles that create, translate and disseminate knowledge relevant to forensic nurses and other disciplines. Over the course of her five-year appointment, Jessica is responsible for reviewing and recommending manuscripts that are suitable for publication, recruiting relevant submissions and referring colleagues to serve on the review panel. She is also expected to submit her scholarship for publication in the journal at least annually over the course of her appointment. A forensic nurse herself, Jessica’s research focuses on structural and independent factors contributing to women’s health disparities. She has previously published manuscripts in the Journal of Forensic Nursing.

Jan. 12 — Doctor of Philosophy alumna appointed faculty at California State University
Gennifer Holt, a Class of 2020 alumna of the Doctor of Philosophy program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, was appointed to a tenure-track assistant professor position at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). Her appointment in the School of Nursing includes teaching baccalaureate and graduate nursing students. As part of her commitment to the CSUS School of Nursing, Gennifer is involved in scholarly work including research as well as engaging in activities that promote the well-being of the community and elevate the nursing profession. She also represents Sacramento State as a board member for the Sigma Theta Tau Zeta Eta-at-Large Chapter; a chapter of the international nursing honor society dedicated to developing and empowering nurse leaders with the goal of improving health care. The Sacramento area chapter is a partnership between Sacramento State and UC Davis.

Jan. 10 — Adult-gerontology textbook named third place in Book of the Year Awards
A textbook written by a team of Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing faculty and UC Davis Health clinicians, Textbook of Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing, was recently awarded third place in the Adult Primary Care category in the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Awards 2022, which honors exceptional print and digital texts for advancing health care quality. Published in March 2022, the book is considered the first-ever adult-gerontology textbook. According to Deb Bakerjian, interim associate dean for practice at the School of Nursing, the textbook provides comprehensive, evidence-based practice approaches to both common and complex health issues advanced practice nurses may face in primary care. She edited 16 of 28 chapters. Several of those chapters were written by School of Nursing faculty, including Amy Nichols, Jennifer Edwards, Gordon Worley, Kathryn Sexson, Hannah Spero, Laura Van Auker and Sumathi Sankaran-Walters. Several UC Davis Health practicing clinicians also contributed. “Their expertise is an essential contribution that integrates the best available evidence with a current clinical practice application and a focus on high quality, cost-efficient, person/family-centered, safe care,” Deb said. The Book of the Year program includes first, second and third places across 20 categories, including adult primary care, advanced practice nursing, informatics, and nursing management and leadership.