Three international visiting professors join School of Nursing this fall

The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis welcomes three international visiting professors who will teach, contribute content to courses and serve as a resource for students and faculty beginning this fall.

"It is an honor for the School of Nursing to host three accomplished international scholars so early in our development," said Heather M. Young, associate vice chancellor for nursing and founding dean of the school. "These visiting professors will broaden the perspectives of our students, staff and faculty as we work together to advance health and improve care."

Visiting Professor Molly Courtenay

Molly Courtenay joined the school in August as a visiting professor. She received her doctorate in Infection Control from Reading University and has served as a lecturer and independent consultant at multiple universities in the United Kingdom. She is currently a professor of Prescribing and Medicines Management at the University of Surrey in the U.K., where she is also the director of studies for the doctorate/Master of Philosophy program in the School of Health and Social Care.

Her research focuses on the development of advanced nursing practice and new models of care delivery, specifically the development of independent prescribing authority by advanced practice nurses. Courtenay previously worked as the national Prescribing and Medicines Management adviser at the Royal College of Nursing. She was also a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council group responsible for designing the prescribing training program and setting national standards for medicines management and prescribing education and practice throughout the U.K. She is currently the chair of the Nurse Prescribers' Advisory Group, a national organization in the U.K. that monitors non-medical prescribing practice.

Visiting Associate Professor Leehu Zysberg

Courtenay will contribute content to three Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership courses, provide guest lectures, serve as a mentor to graduate students and collaborate with School of Nursing faculty on research projects.

"I am delighted to join the School of Nursing and to have this opportunity to contribute to the school's mission to transform health care through nursing research, education and leadership," Courtenay said.

The School of Nursing also welcomed Leehu Zysberg as a visiting associate professor beginning Sept. 1. Zysberg received his doctorate in psychology from the University of Haifa in Israel. He is currently a senior lecturer with tenure at Tel Hai College in Israel, and he has taught at the University of Haifa, Seattle University and Lake Washington Technical College in Kirkland, Wash.

Zysberg will co-teach this fall's doctoral seminar and provide guidance as a methodology expert to students on study design and data analysis. Zysberg will continue with his research investigating emotional intelligence and its connection to health outcomes.

Visiting Associate Professor Anna Zisberg

Anna Zisberg also joined the School of Nursing team Sept. 1 as a visiting associate professor. She currently teaches in the Department of Nursing at the University of Haifa. Zisberg received her doctorate from the University of Washington School of Nursing.

Zisberg's research focuses on mechanisms that account for older adults' changes in functional status across the lifespan and especially at the time of health challenges, including hospitalization. Her research contributes to improving quality of care for older adults across systems of care. She also conducts research in the area of instrument design and the validation of assessment tools.

Zisberg will contribute to the School of Nursing core courses and she will serve as a guest lecturer and a resource for faculty and students.