CONTACT - Volume 9, Number 1
Letters to the Editor

The announcement of Dr. Balcerski's pending retirement generated a number of emails and letters from alumi updating the dean on their activities and wishing her well. Here is a sampling.

Leslie (Bannerot) Leopold (BSN, 1982) wrote: "Congratulations on your thirty-two years of dedication to Barry. I love reading about the University in the Alumni newsletters. Since graduation I have worked at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and later at Mariner's Hospital. I am currently living in Tavernier, in the Upper Keys. As mother of 2 girls, ages 5 and 9, I am fulfilling my duties in family life and not employed in the nursing field at the moment. Soon I think it will be time to go back to work part-time as my children are getting to be very grown-up and independent. I am on the board of the Montessori Island Charter School."

Dr. Sharon McGuire (BSN, 1984) sent the dean a copy of her dissertation for the Barry University library and wrote about her friendships from her days at the University of Texas, El Paso and now at the University of San Diego where she joined the faculty in May 2001. This past summer McGuire worked for six weeks as resident nurse at a camp for Junior High and High School age children where she faced behavioral issues teachers/parents and children themselves deal with. It also gave her the opportunity to resume the long distance bicycling she once did in the 1970's and in her pre-nursing life.

Dixie Scelsi (BSN, 1969) responded to the dean's summer editorial: "Radical changes in nursing sound appropriate, and it's about time. Nursing is indeed in danger and we see it every day. I graduated BSN in 1969 and lived through the 'BSN entry' wars! Some minds still wage that one today. I frequently lament having to address the same issues (care planning or the lack thereof, documentation, etc., etc.) and ask myself why nursing does not ever move on. Wouldn't it be refreshing to tackle new issues and move forward? Thank you for the courageous editorial. I wish you well in retirement."

Dr. Kathleen Ann (Winchell) Ladner (BSN, 1970) who is currently Vice President of Patient Care Services at Princeton Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama wrote about the journey of her life that began with active duty in US Navy, marriage, motherhood, graduate and doctoral education, teaching positions, and into the ten and one-half years in her current position. Dr. Ladner wrote: "I have tried hard to be sure where ever I have worked and the role I functioned in that I always tried to elevate and support my profession. Once my younger son asked me why didn't I study to be a doctor since I was a smart mommy? I responded to him that I wanted to help people in a way that doctors didn't.and nurses were very intelligent people whom doctors relied on. I think he understands this now.

"It's hard to believe you are retiring soon. I can't help but think Barry will miss you greatly and your achievements during the years have been due to your leadership and your faculty plus the students! Take care and may God keep us always in the palm of His loving hands."