School of Nursing happenings
Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing faculty, students and scholars continually participate in lectures, speaker series, symposiums and other special events that reflect the school's vision and mission to transform health care through nursing education and research. This frequently updated list is a sample of the breadth of such activities.
2024 Happenings
Faculty from the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis and the UC Davis School of Medicine contributed to the new textbook, Geriatric Medicine: A Person Centered Evidence Based Approach. Deb Bakerjian, the School of Nursing’s associate dean for practice, served as co-editor in chief, while more than a dozen faculty from the School of Medicine contributed chapters. Geriatric medicine revolves around providing personalized care that prioritizes function and quality of life. This book presents over 40 freshly reviewed chapters, augmented with new references and a diverse set of practical tools contributed by interdisciplinary and interprofessional specialists in the field of geriatric medicine.
April 2 — Nursing students sew blankets for hospitalized babies
Students from the Master’s Entry Program in Nursing at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis sewed 40 blankets for babies receiving treatment at UC Davis Medical Center. Students say they wanted to continue a tradition started a few years back and the donations coincided with their clinical experiences in maternity and pediatrics. The handmaid goodies were delivered for use by babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, children in the pediatrics and pediatric intensive care unit, those that lacked social support or needed a bit of extra comfort.
April 1 — Professor teaches new course on climate change and resiliency
Philippe Goldin, a professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, serves as co-director of the new University of California course, Transforming Climate Distress to Action. The class starts spring quarter 2024 and aims to fill a critical gap in climate education and well-being, building on the science of personal and social resilience and climate change action, building a sense of belonging and motivating empowerment and self-efficacy via actionable projects. Philippe is an expert in mindfulness and meditative practice and research as well as sustainability education. Jyoti Mishra of UCSD and Elissa Epel of UCSF, two leaders at the intersection of climate change and mental health, also serve as lecturers and facilitators.
A group of students from the physician assistant program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis created Easter baskets for teenagers in the hospital during the holiday. Student and faculty donations resulted in 20 baskets that included games and activities for teens at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Program Director Teresa Thetford said students had experienced having a child admitted to a hospital during holidays and wanted to make the stay a bit better.March 20 — Associate dean awarded for positive change in health care
Deb Bakerjian, associate dean for practice at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, was awarded the 2024 Bridging Health Care Needs Award from the California Association for Nurse Practitioners (CANP). The prestigious award is presented to a nurse practitioner who is an active catalyst for positive change in the health care system and who demonstrates the value of the care that nurse practitioners provide to their patients. Deb leads the School of Nursing’s leads the school’s clinical enterprise, including community strategic partnerships and advocacy. She currently serves as director of the nurse-led mobile clinic and several workforce enhancement grants funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Deb received the award on March 20 during CANP’s 46th Annual Educational Conference. CANP is solely dedicated to advocating for nurse practitioners (N.P.s) in California and works to protect and expand the critical roles filled by N.P.s.
Elenitsa “Nitsa” Sebat, a physician assistant (P.A.) and assistant clinical professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, presented “Exploring Dermatology's Latest Insights: Unveiling Key Findings from JAAD's November 2023-January 2024 Editions” at a recent webinar hosted by the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA). Nitsa discussed the findings on surgical excision approaches, margin status in melanoma prediction and how the findings can be applied to enhance daily practice in the field. SDPA composed primarily of P.A. members who provide dermatologic care or have an interest in the medical specialty of dermatology.
Sandra Calderon, a member of the Doctor of Philosophy Class of 2025 at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, is named to the Brain Health Equity Nurse Fellowship Class of 2024. An initiative of the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Center for Brain Health Equity, the fellowship program focuses on empowering nurses with the knowledge and public health skills needed to promote brain health in African American and Latino communities. The Fellowship is led by the center in collaboration with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) and the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). Sandra is a founder and past president of the Sacramento NAHN chapter. She is also a graduate of the School of Nursing’s master’s-degree family nurse practitioner program.Feb. 1 — Alumni and students join black nurses on Capitol Hill
Several alumni and current students of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis joined the 36th Annual Black Nurses Day on Capitol Hill. Aron King, master’s-degree leadership graduate and current Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) student, along with master’s-degree leadership alumna Sheree Criner and Ph.D. student Calene Roseman, joined hundreds of others in the yearly event dedicated to congressional health issues and policy. They are members of the Capitol City Black Nurses Association, a local chapter of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) founded by School of Nursing alumni.
Jan. 1 — Professor emerita reappointed to diversity board
Professor Emerita Mary Lou de Leon Siantz has been reappointed to the National Advisory Committee to the American Nurses Association Minority Fellowship Program. The program was in response to the lack of mental health and substance abuse nurse professionals who could provide culturally competent care to an increasingly diverse population. Members address the needs for mental health and substance abuse disorders services, research, advocacy and policy development. She will serve a two-year term.
Past Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing Happenings
