The UNT Health Science Center’s (UNTHSC) Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and School of Health Professions will expand its geriatrics program and partner with the UNT System College of Pharmacy, along with the Texas Christian University Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Department of Nutritional Sciences, to develop and implement a partnership to improve the ability of physicians to work in teams among health care disciplines. A four-year, $1 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation will fund the new NEXT STEPS Program, which is under the direction of Dr. Janice Knebl, Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians Endowed Chair in Clinical Geriatrics, and professor of internal medicine at UNTHSC. Three major innovations will provide better team care for older adults: expansion of the Seniors Assisting in Geriatrics Education (SAGE) program for students of various health professions, including physician assistants, physical therapy, pharmacy, nursing and nutrition; creation of an inter-professional, Web-based Team Capstone (ITC) geriatrics experience for all senior-year health professions students at the participating institutions; and development of inter-professional e-learning modules in collaboration with the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners for residents and practicing physicians. UNTHSC will collaborate with Donald W. Reynolds Foundation grantee Virginia Commonwealth University to adapt its Virtual Classroom as the model for ITC geriatrics experience, which matches older Fort Worth metro patients with students studying medicine, physician assistance, physical therapy, pharmacy, nursing and nutrition.
Texas Wesleyan nurse anesthesia, law programs earn top rankings For the third consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked two Texas Wesleyan University graduate programs among the best in the nation. The Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia and the part-time law program both were listed among “Best Grad Schools” for 2014. “Our faculty is committed to excellence in the classroom and provide the personal student experience for which Texas Wesleyan is known,” President Frederick G. Slabach said. “Our educators work tirelessly to create programs that reflect the skills that today’s employers expect: critical thinking, analytical reasoning and practical experience. “Our graduates and the employers who hire them already know a Texas Wesleyan degree provides tremendous value, but it’s nice when external entities validate what we know to be true – that our programs are among the finest in the country.” Texas Wesleyan University is one of more than 600 graduate-program institutions that is surveyed by U.S. News & World Report. Nearly 45 percent of Texas Wesleyan students are enrolled in graduate programs.In overall university rankings, which are released each fall, Texas Wesleyan has been ranked in the top tier of regional universities in the west for three consecutive years.
UT Arlington nursing video a winner The University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Nursing has been named a Bronze Winner in the 34th Annual Telly Awards, a national competition for video production. UT Arlington’s winning entry was in the Internet/Online Video-Editing category. The instructional video on IV Therapy was produced by the College of Nursing’s Learning Resource Center using footage shot at the on-campus Smart Hospital, a 13,000-square-foot simulation center with computerized patients and actors in realistic hospital units. Dominique Anderson, audio visual education specialist for the College of Nursing, led the filming and editing of the IV Therapy video. Anderson produces recruitment, instructional and informational videos for the College of Nursing. The nursing college has received a total of 17 Telly Awards since 2006. The award-winning video IV Therapy video was used for undergraduate education. See it at: http://shangrila.uta.edu/telly.m4v.
Texas Health Fort Worth receives national award for cancer care Based on on-site surveys performed in 2012, the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer honored Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth with an Outstanding Achievement Award for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. Texas Health Fort Worth ranks among 79 outstanding programs nationwide. The hospital’s program was evaluated on 29 standards within cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services and quality improvement, along with eight rigorous commendation standards. “What makes our patient care exceptional is that we personalize it to meet our patients’ individual needs and treat the whole person – mind, body and spirit,” said Sue Shields, director of cancer services at Texas Health Fort Worth. “Patients can expect to receive high quality, evidence-based care in line with standards set by the commission.” The Texas Health Fort Worth cancer care program includes: cancer detection and treatment through a multidisciplinary, team approach; nurse navigators who help with care coordination and patient advocacy; a cancer health kiosk that uses a touch screen to guide patients through information about cancer diagnosis, medication, and treatment options; a Cancer Boutique and Resource Center with tools and information that assist cancer survivors with their specific needs; advanced technology, including 3D mammography to better detect breast tumors and abnormalities; and the Wellness for Life mobile medical unit that offers the community easy accessibility to many types of screening and early detection services. For more information on cancer care at Texas Health Fort Worth, visit TexasHealth.org/fortworthcancer.
