5.6 

To a packed house at the Jefferson School in Charlottesville, associate professor Ishan Williams—joined by fellow UVA scientists and researchers George Bloom, biology, Jaideep Kapur, neurology, Carol Manning, neurology, and psychologist Jack Van Horn—presented their 15-minute graphical film, "Animating Alzheimer's" followed by a question-and-answer session with community members.

The film screening was the first in what the scientists hope is a series of highly graphical, narrative films about Alzheimer's disease and dementia meant to begin a dialogue for individuals who have been newly diagnosed with the disease and those who care for them. Williams, a 2023 Shannon Fellow at UVA, is a social and behavioral scientist and community-based researcher who specializes in interventions for underserved populations of people struggling with dementia. 

Williams is also co-investigator on a $5.9 million NIH grant with Dr. Randall Moorman, MD, a UVA School of Medicine professor, investigating the fair and equitable use of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

5.15 

Interim associate dean for academic programs and associate professor Shelly Smith (BSN ’99, DNP ’12) has been elected to the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority's executive board (VHWDA), a group established by the General Assembly to identify and address health workforce issues across the state. A fierce advocate for nurse practitioner autonomy, Smith has frequently lent her voice and expertise at the Virginia General Assembly, providing expert testimony during legislative sessions, at caucus, subcommittee, and committee meetings, and, ultimately, helped shape House Bills 793, HB 1600, and Senate Bill 170.

6.26 

More than 60 alumni RSVP'd for a June 26 alumni-only "What can a graduate nursing degree do for you?" Zoom info session. Kicked off with a welcome from Dean Marianne Baernholdt, and personal stories from alumna Shelly Smith, and fellow alumni Richard Ridge (PhD ’01), Melissa Gomes (CERTI-PMHNP ’12), and Beth Quatrara (MSN ’97, DNP ’12), the virtual meet-up also debuted the School's new guaranteed alumni admissions for applicants to its MSN, RN to CNL, certificate, and DNP programs.

Given the event's success, another similar alumni only Zoom will be held this fall.

6.28 

Assistant professors Beth Quatrara (MSN ’97, DNP ’10) and Richard Ridge (PhD ’01) were interviewed by several news outlets for their determination to teach graduate nursing students key business and financial concepts. “Everything involves the dollar, and healthcare is a business. To really understand the dollar helps us to make the case for it," Quatrara told WVTF, Virginia's NPR station.

7.7 

Nurse scientist and poet Virginia LeBaron (BSN ’96), the Kluge-Schakat Professor of Compassionate Care, has been selected as a National Cancer Institute Academy Health Visiting Scholar, only the fourth academic to be so honored. In this role, LeBaron will work NCI mentors, attend conferences, make presentations, and network with fellow NCI Fellows. 

LeBaron, who earned a $3.4 million NIH grant in 2021 to improve understanding of cancer pain and help patients and their family caregivers both anticipate and ease it, was also named an Irene Moore Foundation Fellow last spring and is working on a smartwatch prototype conversation assessment tool called "CommSense" that aims to improve bedside care and communication.

7.17 

With 39 faculty peers from colleges and universities around the U.S., associate dean Melissa Gomes (CERTI-PMHNP ’12) recently completed the yearlong American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Diversity Leadership Institute. After taking part in workshop intensives and completing and presenting their capstone projects, participants return even more ready to deploy high-impact DEI strategies and practices.

8.1 

Prof. Meghan Mattos (MSN ’09) was selected by the provost's office to be part of UVA's 2023-24 Research Communications Fellowship, one of 33 UVA faculty members who will take part in the media training and writing intensive over the next 11 months. Earlier in 2023, she also earned the Lucie Young Kelly Award winner for her student support and faculty mentoring and leadership.

9.9 

Dean emerita and research associate professor Pam Cipriano—current president of the International Council of Nurses and two-term president of the American Nurses Association—will be honored as one of six designated "Living Legends" by the American Academy of Nursing at its fall 2023 gala in Washington, D.C.

Academy president Kenneth R. White (CERTI-AGACNP ’13), professor emerita and dean of the nursing school at Massachusetts General Hospital's Institute of Health Professions in Boston, said, "Recognizing those who have transformed the work we do, particularly during the Academy's 50th anniversary year, is a truly special honor. This year's Living Legends have championed equity, diversity, and inclusion to collectively improve the public's health."

This September, Cipriano will also receive the Virginia Nurses Association's Nancy Vance Award.