Legacy Mass to Celebrate Mount Carmel West

With the scheduled demolition of Mount Carmel West hospital approaching, all students, faculty and staff are invited to celebrate the rich 133-year history of the hospital with a Legacy Mass on Wednesday, February 6, at 9 a.m. in the Medical Staff Building (MSB) Auditorium. Seating is limited. Attendees must RSVP to collegerelations@mccn.edu by noon on Tuesday, February 5.

Mount Carmel West was originally founded by Dr. W. B. Hawkes as Hawkes Hospital of Mount Carmel. Before the hospital was completed, Dr. Hawkes passed away. Dr. John W. Hamilton, a colleague of Dr. Hawkes, called on the services of Mother M. Angela Gillespie from the Sisters of the Holy Cross of Notre Dame, Indiana, to help complete the hospital, which opened in 1886. In 1903, the Sisters of the Holy Cross started the Mount Carmel School of Nursing, which is now Mount Carmel College of Nursing. In 1906, an adjoining building to the original, containing a chapel and 120 additional private rooms, was built. Mount Carmel Hall, which consisted of recreation halls, a library and classrooms, was built in 1921.

February Message from the President

February is a great month for staying focused on studies as the cold weather keeps most of us indoors. Try not to allow Valentine’s Day with its bounty of chocolate treats and the fact that spring break starts February 25 distract you. I will not let it distract me from moving forward on our wonderful Journey to Transformation!

This month, we do have a few significant milestones to celebrate, as well as significant news that tempers our joy:

• Our SDAP (Second Degree Accelerated Program) celebrates occasions: On February 8 the 12th SDAP cohort will graduate, and on February 22 the sophomores of the 13th cohort will receive their sophomore pins, beginning their transition from academic to clinical studies. Congratulations to all!
• On February 6 a special Mass to celebrate the Legacy of Mount Carmel West will be held in the MSB Auditorium at 9 a.m. All students, faculty and staff are invited to attend, if you wish, but you must RSVP to collegerelations@mccn.edu by noon on Tuesday, February 5, because seating is limited. This special Mass will recall when the Sisters of the Holy Cross arrived in Columbus in 1886 to administer the then new facility. It will also help us reflect on memorable milestones along the way before all inpatient services relocate to Mount Carmel Grove City.
• As you may know, MCCN has two upcoming accreditation visits. Students, during the Ohio Nursing Board’s site visit on Feb.14 and 15, I appreciate your being prepared to answer questions about your experience of the College, should you be asked by the OBN representative. Also, this month all students will receive a survey via email, which I am asking you to complete by Feb.13 for our upcoming site visit from the Higher Learning Commission in April. Thank you for your collaboration on these important events.
• Our hearts go out to the families and friends of our partners with Survival Flight who lost their lives in the service to others when their helicopter crashed on January 29. In addition, we are all very saddened over recent news coverage about the patient deaths at Mount Carmel West that are currently being investigated by Mount Carmel Health System and authorities. Our hearts go out to the patients’ families. Should you have any questions, please contact me directly at abrooks@mccn.edu. For updated details, please see the MCHS website: https://www.mountcarmelhealth.com/about-us/facts/. Students, please remember to check your email for periodic updates from the Health System.

I know you will join me in welcoming Robert Vaughn, JD, our new director of Compliance, and other new faculty and staff members – all of whom you may read about below – and I hope you will make time to attend the special Black History Month presentation, also listed below.

I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day and invite you to mark your calendar for a special Valentine’s Day party – I think everyone knows how I feel about chocolate, and I’m predicting it will be raining chocolate that day! Watch for details as we get closer.

Sincerely,
Ann Marie

Getting to Know You: Dr. Kathleen Williamson, Academic Dean

Curious about our new Academic Dean? Learn more about Dr. Kathleen Williamson below:

• At MCCN, I’m most excited about: Meeting and learning from everyone. Working with the faculty, staff and students at MCCN to create opportunities for meaningful instruction, so students can construct their own meaning, apply that knowledge, learn from others, and are motivated to be life-long learners and stay in the profession of nursing.
• I chose a career in nursing/nursing education because: As a third-generation nurse in my family, I always knew I wanted to be a nurse and teach. I am privileged to do both.
• My very first job was: Bridgeport Hospital staff nurse on a medical teaching unit.
• People would be surprised to know that: I am a Disney, NASCAR and football fan.
• My favorite food is: Steak and potatoes.
• I’m currently reading: Lots of work materials to understand the new system that I have the honor to be a part of.
• So far, what I love best about Columbus is: The people I have met and there are so many restaurants to choose from.
• The best advice I’ve ever received was: Life is a journey… enjoy the ride.
• If I could have dinner with any four people - living or not - they would be: My Dad, my grandmothers, Walt Disney, Mr. Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports.
• My vision for nursing 20 years from now is: It is essential to mentor and encourage inquiry by promoting a change in practice using the best evidence. Knowing that I make an impact on the education and provide learning opportunities for students who want to be nurses and those who are advancing their nursing career. The ability to provide students a place where they can be engaged in the learning process, express their ideas, connect with others, develop a deeper understanding of concepts, think critically and reflect. The best part of being a nurse educator is finding ways to help students develop the necessary skills to be successful in nursing school and in the profession of nursing.

College Closings and Delays

As a reminder, below is MCCN’s policy on closings and delays:

• During extreme weather conditions, MCCN administration will make a decision about closures or delays (which also includes clinical experience cancellations) before 5:30 a.m. on the day of the closing, or by 10:30 p.m. on the night before closing the College. For afternoon and evening classes, an announcement will be sent by noon, if possible.
• MCCN-Lancaster campus administration may also determine closures or delays exclusive of the main MCCN campus, given local weather or other specific issues.
• Road conditions may also vary substantially throughout central Ohio; personal judgment should be utilized when deciding to commute to class/clinical when the College is not closed.
• Notification of the closing or delay will be sent via text message and email through Rave Mobile Safety, reported on local television and radio stations, and posted on Facebook and Twitter.

MCCN Scholarships Open Today!

Through the generosity of our MCCN donors and supporters, we are happy to provide these opportunities to our students. These funds can help students in defraying their educational expenses at MCCN and provide supplemental funding.

The scholarship process opens on Friday, February 1. Completed applications need to be submitted by Sunday, March 3, at midnight. The link to the scholarships will be emailed to students’ MCCN accounts. The instructions for applying for these scholarships will also be provided at this time.

Students will be selected by the Scholarship Committee and will be notified of the award via a revised email award notification in early July. There will be an annual dinner for both donors and recipients in September. Additional information will be sent to students from the MCCN Advancement Office.

If you have any questions, please contact the MCCN Financial Aid Office at financialaid@mccn.edu or by calling 614.234.1842.

Upcoming Events to Celebrate the Second Degree Accelerated Program (SDAP) Students

Our SDAP students have plenty of reason to celebrate this February. The 12th cohort will celebrate its completion with a graduation ceremony on Friday, February 8, at 5 p.m. in the MSB Auditorium. The 13th cohort of SDAP students will receive their sophomore pins to signify their transition from academic to clinical studies on Friday, February 22, at 3 p.m. in the MSB Auditorium. Join us to celebrate these milestones!

Welcome, New Faculty & Staff

Please join us in welcoming our new faculty and staff members:

• Timothy Kuebler - Special Instructor
• Kolbie Alexander - Special Instructor
• Rebecca Fares - Special Instructor
• Pat Bartoe - Special Instructor II
• Evan Czok - Special Instructor
• Roxanne Oliver - Assistant Professor
• Jan Noice - Special Instructor
• Michelle Seibold - Finance Clerk
• Robert Vaughn - Director, Compliance
• Dr. Kathleen Williamson - Academic Dean

Ann E. Schiele Presidential Endowment Application Period Now Open

Do you have a big idea that you think could move healthcare to the next level, improve the academic experience at MCCN, advance nursing research or enhance the community? If so, please consider applying for funding of your idea from the Ann E. Schiele Presidential Endowment fund. The application period – for funding in three key areas – is open from February 1 to 28. The application will be emailed to all faculty and staff.

Ann E. Schiele, PhD, RN, president and dean emeritus, was employed at the College for a total of 50 years, serving as president and dean for 28 years. In honor of Dr. Schiele’s incredible vision and impact on the College, the MCCN Board of Trustees established the Ann E. Schiele Presidential Endowment Fund in 2014. The fund recognizes her unparalleled commitment and dedication to the field of nursing education with focus on four key areas: Collaborative Initiatives, Academics & Research, Community Partnerships and Student Scholarships.

Examples of projects that were awarded funding last year include:

Academics and Research – An Ann E. Schiele Senior Writing Award was established to emphasize the importance and priority of improving writing skills, to create motivation and provide student recognition.

Academics and Research – Money was provided to fund a program to create Peer Advisors for First Year Experience Class. This program embraces student-centered education for students and positively impacts student academic performance, retention, self-efficacy and satisfaction.

Community Partnerships – Funds were provided to implement evidence-based interactive health education programs for students at Cristo Rey High School. MCCN students enrolled in the Second Degree Accelerated Program were also positively impacted through their engagement with the high school students and by learning about “Population Management related to Student Centered Education.”

Student Scholarships – At the Scholarship Dinner in September 2018, 11 students received scholarships of $5,000 each.

MovieMonday@MCCN

On select Mondays throughout the academic year, the Multicultural Education Committee, the Office of Student Life, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will offer a feature film or documentary that highlights the commemorative theme of the month. Upcoming themes are Black History Month (Feb), Women’s History Month (Mar), and Earth Day (Apr). Movies will be in CLE 103 and pizza and popcorn will be provided. In celebration of Black History Month, the Academy Award winning film Hidden Figures, will be shown Monday, February 18, at noon in CLE 103. Gather, relax, and enjoy pizza with the MCCN community for the first ever MovieMonday@MCCN. Free for all MCCN students, faculty, and staff.

FREE Wellness Programs

View the attachments for upcoming FREE programs offered by the Mount Carmel West Healthy Living Center. The Healthy Living Center – just steps from the Columbus campus – offers free programs aimed at preventing and managing chronic medical conditions, encouraging healthy habits and promoting wellness. The Mindfulness Practice Group Sessions are offered every Thursday for those who would like to learn how to meditate and be more mindful.

MCCN Students Enjoy Free Taco Bar

Thanks to the Office of Student Life, on Thursday, January 17, more than 200 MCCN students enjoyed a free taco bar and the chance to visit with fellow classmates or play games. Vicki Neal, LISW-S, Behavioral Health Counselor, also handed out stress relief survival kits.