Dean's Spring Newsletter: Building for the Future
Dedicating our new academic building, celebrating nursing research, more...
Happy Spring!
It has been busy at University of Michigan School of Nursing. We welcomed U-M's president, 
provost, and good friends to a groundbreaking ceremony for our beautiful new academic building. Then at Dean's Research Day, we installed rising nurse scientist Dr. MinKyoung Song as our first Feetham Professor of Nursing, listened to the annual Brouse Lecture, and discussed "Improving Family Health Through Practice-Changing Research."
provost, and good friends to a groundbreaking ceremony for our beautiful new academic building. Then at Dean's Research Day, we installed rising nurse scientist Dr. MinKyoung Song as our first Feetham Professor of Nursing, listened to the annual Brouse Lecture, and discussed "Improving Family Health Through Practice-Changing Research." Celebrating these events while launching our new Clinical Research Management certificate program has led to reflection on where we're headed in higher ed. With its technology-rich clinical learning center and classrooms, our new building will support active learning and collaboration. We'll provide students with what they need to practice, research, engage, learn, and succeed. That's also the focus of our Clinical Research Management certificate. Although its material is delivered online, the program benefits from University of Michigan faculty, resources, partnerships, and high standards.
I believe that online versus on-campus is no longer a useful either/or distinction for higher education. There has been a lot of confusion about this--and some fear. Online coursework isn't just about convenience, because technology can advance and enhance the depth of learning. This is also true on campus; it's a two-way street. We are flipping the classroom, structurally and metaphorically. We have to, because it's what our students want and what they need.
I cannot close without recognizing some amazing achievements at UMSN so far in 2013. Students have been winning service and poster honors, and faculty accolades have included national researcher of the year awards for Dr. Beatrice Kalisch (from the American Organization of Nurse Executives) and Dr. Laurel Northouse (Oncology Nursing Society). The Institute of Medicine named Dr. Antonia Villarruel to chair its important Roundtable on Promotion of Health Equity and the Elimination of Health Disparities. Dr. Ellen Smith's breakthrough findings to ease nerve pain during chemotherapy were featured in video and print in JAMA April 3. More info.
