CONTACT - Volume 8, Number 2
Wellness Day, 2001

Faculty and Students Display Health Promotion Topics and Research

Excitement, fun, food and the latest information on health promotion and health policy issues were creatively displayed and discussed by the Division of Nursing's (SON) faculty and students at the Wellness Day Celebration on February 20, 2001. The Wellness Initiative Network (WIN), a university committee that is dedicated to the mission of Barry University, sponsors the celebration. WIN, chaired by Shannon Foster, with Dr. Joan Efinger representing the SON, seeks to provide a FUN and creative learning environment which challenges students, faculty and the entire university family to accept "intellectual, personal, ethical, spiritual and social responsibilities; to provide community service;" to stimulate "continued personal and professional growth," and to recognize the value of "experiential learning of adult students."

Mother Nature and our prayers gave us a beautiful, sunny, perfect Florida day for the multifaceted challenges, information and services WIN organized and provided. Sr. Jeanne O'Laughlin, President, opened the event, and hundreds of students enjoyed the dynamic experiences provided.

The SON faculty and students presented 13 areas for the participants. Our presentations focused on education, health promotion, disease prevention, health policy issues, addictions risk identification, care in pregnancy, end of life decisions, heart disease assessment and prevention, breast cancer prevention, and depression support. Many SON faculty supported the WIN Wellness Day by incorporating the goals into the educational objectives of their classes.

Once again, the SON was recognized as a major contributor to this enjoyable, educational, health promotion day. The students who were primary participants and presenters felt exhilarated, as did the dedicated faculty, Dr. Kathleen Papes, Dr. Shirley Schantz, Dr. Sue Ann Charron, Dr. Joyce Washington, Merryle Parns, and Claudette Spalding. Students who gave endless hours were Alyson Tobin, Barbara Sutton, Genivea Tennent, and the 18 students in the MSN's Situated Context of Nursing course.

Dr. Judith Balcerski, the SON Dean, Dr. Janyce Dyer, Associate Dean for the Graduate Programs, and Dr. Linda Perkel, Associate Dean for the Undergraduate Program, supported the event from the very first Wellness Week. They provided encouragement, support, time, talent, and space to the entire SON to participate in this multidisciplinary caring event. This is another example of the Division of Nursing's contributions to the university community and the reciprocal respect for the SON's caring philosophy and knowledge. Really makes you proud to be part of the new paradigms in nursing."nurses caring for nurses."

Next year, Wellness Day will be in March 2002. Come join us and present your interests. Contact Dr. Efinger at 305-899-4066, jefinger@mail.barry.edu .

Joan Efinger, DNSc, RN, CS, HNC