Breaking News
Retirement Receiption for Dr. Clare Houseman
On January 24th, the College of Health Sciences had a retirement reception for Dr. Clare Houseman. Faculty, staff, students and the community came out to wish her farewell after serving ODU for 30 years.
Joyce Downs, BSDH, MS(c) at the Third Annual Graduate Student Research Forum
Representing the College of Health Sciences at the Third Annual Graduate Student Research Forum, Joyce Downs, degree candidate in the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Program presented her research titled, 'Bisphenol A Blood and Saliva Levels Prior To And After Sealant Placement In Adults: An Exploratory Study.' Graduate students participating in the event embodied the valuable contributions to discovery, teaching and engagement of Virginia universities. Attendees included legislators and their staff; and officials and staff from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, businesses, organizations, and local, state and federal agencies. The Virginia Council of Graduate Schools coordinated the forum to provide a glimpse into the world of graduate research, and a better understanding of the impact graduate students have on the growth and sustainability of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The event was held at the State Library of Virginia in Richmond, VA on February 5, 2008.
Ms. Downs was one of six graduate students selected to represent Old Dominion University. Graduate students enrolled at Virginia universities come from all states in the nation and over 60 nations throughout the world. Joyce will defend her thesis during the Spring 2008 semester, and pending this event, is scheduled to graduate with her Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree in May 2008.
Dental Hygiene National Board Review Continuing Education
The School of Dental Hygiene and the College's office of continuing education held the annual 20-hour continuing education course Dental Hygiene National Board Review January 18 - 20, 2008. Ten faculty members from the School presented over the course of the weekend. This year's event attracted 90 participants from 14 colleges and universities, including Old Dominion University, Northern Virginia Community College, Virginia Western Community College, Germana Community College (Virginia), Cape Fear Community College, Halifax Community College, Guilford Technical Community College (North Carolina), Howard University, Georgia Perimeter College, New Hampshire Technical Institute, New York City College of Technology, New York University, Farmingdale State College (New York), and St. Cloud State University (Minnesota). In addition to students preparing for the national examination, this event continues to attract faculty from other schools who come to Old Dominion for information that they can bring back to their programs. The 2009 event has been scheduled for January 16-18. Check the Web site: www.odu.edu/dental for more information.
Dental Hygiene Care Facility Renamed for Sofia and David Konikoff
On September 19, 2007, the Dental Hygiene Care Facility was officially named after two Old Dominion University graduates, Sofia '84 and Dr. David Konikoff '77.
Over the next five years, the Konikoffs have pledged $250,000 for the purchase of high-tech instrumentation for the facility.
The Dental Hygiene Care Facility is staffed and overseen by licensed dental hygienists and dentists; the facility trains future hygienist and provides services to students, faculty, staff and the local community.
On hand for the ceremony was Dr. David and Sofia Konikoff, President Roseann Runte and College of Health Sciences Dean, Andrew Balas.
The College of Health Sciences and the American Red Cross Signs Agreement on Joint Health Education Initiatives
The College of Health Sciences and the Southeastern chapter of the American Red Cross signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Nov 6. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will lead to community health initiatives, prevention training and outreach, and unique collaborative learning experiences.
Present at the signing ceremony were Andrew Balas, dean of the College of Health Sciences; Mary Jo Rothgery, chapter executive director of the American Red Cross; Thomas Isenhour, provost; and C. Thomas Vaughn, board chairman of the American Red Cross.
Congratulations to Dr Qi (Harry) Zhang on winning the National Institute of Health (NIH) Award
Dr. Zhang, assistant professor in the school of Community and Environmental Health, leads the research team along with other members from John Hopkins University and the University of Chicago on a two year grant titled "Price Effect on Diet and Obesity Risk of Food Assistance Program Recipients"
The $135,555 grant will link data from three national surveys to study three specific points: the effect of local food prices and cost of living on food assistance program (FAP) participation; the effect of local food prices on FAP participants' dietary intakes and the effects of local food prices on FAP participants' body mass index.
The research supports the National Institutes of Health's mission that encourages a multidisciplinary approach for studying factors that contributes to obesity, the results will help to design and implement FAPs that will tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the U.S.
The research is important because it will make it possible to determine the relationship between local food prices and FAP participants' body weight status and risk of obesity. Identifying the price effect on FAP participants' diet and health outcomes will have important policy implications.
ODU College of Health Sciences and Operation Smile Forms a New Partnership
Old Dominion University and Operation Smile announced a new partnership on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 to help improve the lives of children by helping nurses receive advance training provided by the Norfolk-based medical charity.
Old Dominion University Health Sciences Dean, Andrew Balas and Dr. Bill Magee, CEO and Co-Founder of Operation Smile, Tom Isonhour, ODU Provost and Kathleen S. Magee, President and Co-Founder of Operation Smile presided over the signing ceremony. As part of the agreement, ODU faculty and resources will be available in various capacities.
There were more than 60 physicians and nurses from more than 20 Operation Smile partner countries were in attendance. Nurses from all over the world will visit the ODU campus to take part in workshops, observe nursing classes and receive advance training.
Nursing Faculty Ann Campbell Received the Operation Smile's Volunteer of the Year Award
Ann Campbell, RN, MSN, CPNP, nursing faculty, received Operation Smile's Volunteer of the Year Award. Campbell's first Operation Smile mission was to Brazil in 2002 and she's been hooked every since. Ann has not only served as a nurse volunteer on missions, but she also volunteered for Operation Smile in other capacities. She has participated in with Operations Smile's World Care program as a coordinator and she and her family served as a host family for a World Care patient from Iraq. Ann has worked hard on Operation Smile's behalf to form a university partnership with ODU. For the first time since 1987, nurses are part of Operation Smile annual physician training program that began bringing medical doctors to Norfolk for training.
Marian Wright Edelman and Denise Quattlebaum Address Graduates
On May5, nearly 1,800 students received their degrees and were given words of advice by speakers Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. Denise Quattlebaum, Medical Technology graduate with a 3.99 GPA served as the banner carrier for the College of Health Sciences.
Continuing Dental Hygiene Education Winter Weekend 2007
The Old Dominion University Office of Alumni Relations helped to sponsor a hospitality supper at the 3rd annual School of Dental Hygiene Continuing Dental Hygiene Education Winter Weekend held at the Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel in Virginia Beach February 23-25. During the supper break on Friday night, approximately 70 dental hygiene alumni, dating back to the class of 1973, enjoyed camaraderie with fellow classmates and reminiscing with faculty who were in attendance.
Physical Therapy "PLUNGERS" Raise $1200
On February 3, 2007, the Physical Therapy Club participated in the Polar Plunge, a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics. Thirteen PT club members "took the plunge" into the Atlantic Ocean, joining thousands of others who also raised money for the cause. In order to have the privilege to plunge each team must raise $1,000. This year the PT Club raised $1,200 making their two-year donation total over $2,300. Each year the team gets bigger, and the club hopes to raise even more money next year! The PT club also anticipates having two teams this year for the American Cancer Association's Relay for Life in April, a 24-hour walking relay held on the ODU campus. Besides raising money, the PT club will be volunteering at this year's Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach in March. Many members will be helping pass out water and monitoring the racecourse. There will be many club members helping on the sidelines, along with multiple members doing the marathon, 1/2 marathon, and 5K race distances. In addition to community service and fund-raising, the PT Club participates in ODU intramural sports in both the fall and spring semesters and hosts social events for all of its members.
2006 Medical Technology Program Graduate Commissioned
ESN Colleen Knaus, a 2006 Old Dominion University Medical Technology Program graduate, was commissioned into the Navy on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, at Navy Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP). She was inducted by CDR Jean T. Scherrer (left), also an ODU Medical Technology Program graduate (1984). CDR Scherrer is Director of Clinical Support Services at NMCP. ENS Knaus will be stationed in Oak Harbor, WA, where her husband Kevin is also stationed.
Ann Marie Kopitzke presents at Statewide Graduate Student Research Forum
On February 6, Doctoral Student Ann Marie Kopitzke travelled to Richmond to represent the School of Community and Environmental Health at the Graduate Student Research Forum. The Graduate Student Research Forum is a yearly event to which members of the Virginia General Assembly are invited to view the research projects of a highly selected group of Graduate Students. Old Dominion's representatives are pictured below with PhD student Ann Marie Kopitzke second from left.
Dental Hygiene Students Come Face-to-Face with the Legislative Process
Influencing legislation that affects healthcare delivery can be intimidating, particularly when it means discussing controversial legislative issues, attempting to change a practice act, or crafting a bill to expand access to healthcare for poor children. On January 19, 2007, 41 students in Professor Michele Darby's Administrative Leadership and Professional Development course went on a field trip to Capitol Square in Richmond, Virginia to observe the General Assembly in action and to participate in the legislative process. There students and Professor Darby from the School of Dental Hygiene, Old Dominion University were formally welcomed on the senate floor by Senator Frank Wagner during "morning hours". "Senator Wagner's kind introductions demonstrated to the students that our legislators welcome constituents who take the time to learn and participate in the legislative process", said Professor Darby. Students also were required to visits their delegates' and senators' offices to discuss bills of interest, and to observe a committee meeting and the house and senate in session. The annual trip is in conjunction with the Virginia Dental Hygienists' Association and Virginia Dental Association's Legislative Rally Day. The objective is to introduce students to the legislative process and the leadership roles they can play as informed citizens and healthcare providers. Darby added "this experience should enhance their willingness to serve as dental hygiene leaders advocating for laws and public policies that ensure access to quality oral healthcare for all of our citizens". The Virginia Dental Hygienists' Association 's Educational Foundation provided a small grant to pay for the chartered bus for the trip.
The College of Health Sciences Welcomes Dr. Brenda Stevenson Marshall as the New Assistant Dean in the College of Health Sciences
Dr. Brenda Stevenson Marshall comes to the College of Health Sciences from Cleveland State University, there she was the Associate Professor and Director of the MBA in Health Care Administration and Master of Public Health Programs in the College of Business Administration. As director at Cleveland State University, Dr. Marshall was responsible for the administration of the MPH program at Cleveland State University. This program, a collaborative effort with six other universities, is the largest MPH partnership in the nation with the entire core taught through distance learning.
Dr. Marshall joined the College of Health Sciences on January 3, 2007.
Francesca Roverto, Italian Student from the University of Genoa, Italy Joins the Medical Laboratory & Radiation Sciences Department.
Francesca Rovereto B.S., a graduate student from the Department of Communication Computer and System Science at the University of Genoa, Italy joined the Medical Lab & Radiation Sciences Department in September.
Miss. Rovereto is scheduled to graduate in Biomedical Engineering at her own university in February 2007 with a research study focused on the use of technology in medical education. More in detail, she is working on the design and development of an automated telephone info center for Chlamydia education.
The goal of the info center is to help 1) increasing the knowledge and awareness about Chlamydia among ODU student population, 2) overcoming some of the psychosocial barriers that students face when they have to ask about Sexual Transmitted Diseases, 3) providing valuable, easy to access and certified health information.
This project is part of the ongoing collaboration between the College of Health Science and the Student Health Center at ODU. Francesca is working on her dissertation thesis together with Dr. Gianluca De Leo.
The automated telephone info center will start accepting calls in mid December.
The College of Health Sciences Welcomes Dr. Gianluca De Leo to the Medical Laboratory and Radiation Department.
Dr. Gianluca De Leo joined the Medical Lab & Radiation Sciences department in July. Before joining ODU he was a senior researcher in the Department of Chemistry at Washington University in Saint Louis. Dr. De Leo completed a post-doctorate with the School of Public Health at Saint Louis University in August 2005. During his post-doctorate programs, he directed the SUN Centre of Excellence, the Diabetes Educational Automated Call Center and the information technology component of the Integrated Advanced Information Management System (IAIMS) at Saint Louis University. He was a visiting scholar at the Center for Health Care Quality at the University of Columbia-Missouri from November 2001 to August 2002, working on the development of a clinical contact center that can manage multiple channels and several patients in the administration of home health services. He has published articles in refereed journals, peer-reviewed conference and he has delivered invited presentations. Dr. DeLeo was involved in several projects related to health and biomedical informatics and virtual reality, which were funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, the Italian Ministry of Research, the European Commission and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. De Leo has Ph.D. in Bioengineering and Bioelectronics from the University of Genova (Italy) in 2003, an MS in Electronic Engineering from the University of Genova (Italy) in 1999 and an MBA from Saint Louis University (2005).
Governer Kaine's Commission on Sexual Violence
Stacey B. Plichta, Old Dominion University associate professor of community and environmental health, has been appointed to the Governor's Commission on Sexual Violence. The commission is tasked with making recommendations to improve the treatment of victims of sexual violence and to prevent and respond to related crimes.
The commission will review the state's current plan regarding sexual violence, seek comment through public hearings and design strategies for best practices across the Virginia.
"The physical and emotional trauma suffered by victims of sexual violence, often compounded by silence and stigma surrounding the crime, calls for special attention in our response and prevention efforts," said Gov. Tim Kaine. "The commonwealth has made considerable progress in the management of sexually violent predators. We now need to focus the same level of energy and attention on the treatment of victims and the prevention of future acts."
The Governor's Commission on Sexual Violence will be co-chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn B. Tavenner and Secretary of Public Safety John W. Marshall. The commission, which consists of 38 members, includes representatives of state agencies, law enforcement officials and health professionals.
Plichta earned her doctorate from The Johns Hopkins University and completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute for Social and Policy Studies at Yale University. Her area of expertise is in health services research, with a focus on domestic violence and women's health.
View the PDF here.
Infusing Geriatrics into the Curriculum Award
Old Dominion University (VA)
Faculty: Karen Karlowicz, EdD, RN
Dean: Richardean Benjamin, PhD, MPH, RN
The infusion of geriatrics into the baccalaureate nursing curriculum at Old Dominion University utilizes a model that anchors geriatric content in two 'anchor' courses at the beginning and end of the curriculum. Information emphasizes healthy aging and health promotion across the continuum of older adulthood. The primary objective is for students to acknowledge older adults as a unique, and often vulnerable, segment of our population for whom nursing intervention can make a significant impact in promoting health care practices that support long-term functional independence. A variety of innovative experiential learning activities is used to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and exposure to behaviors and attitudes regarding older adults and aging. Students interact with older adult clients not just in the acute-care or long-term care environments, but also in wellness-focused environments such as rehabilitation, home, and community settings. Upon completion of the program, students are able to demonstrate the competencies necessary to compassionately provide quality care to older adults and their families while serving as resources for other health providers and seniors in the community.
Congratulations to Drs. Tom Somma and Scott Sechrist on their Grant Award
The College of Health Sciences congratulates Drs. Tom Somma and Scott Sechrist in the School of Medical Laboratory & Radiation Sciences on the successful funding of their grant submission to Lifescan, Inc.
The grant entitled "
Exercise Timing and Maximal Glycemic Benefits for Type 2 Diabetic Individuals" was awarded $9,750. This study was a collaborative effort with Drs. Sheri Colberg (PI) and David Swain from the ODU Dept. of Exercise Science and will examine if timing of moderate and intense bouts of aerobic exercise around a meal can effect the glycemic effect of the activity in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Postprandial exercise of moderate intensity decreases glycemic and plasma insulin levels after breakfast, but this effect does not persist during or after the following lunch meal. Moreover, postprandial high intensity exercise does not deteriorate glucose homeostasis, but rather reduces both glucose concentrations and insulin secretion, suggesting that the effect of exercise is related to energy expenditure rather that peak exercise intensity. The goal of the Lifescan Ultra 2 blood glucose meter is to allow individuals to compare before meal glycemic control with after meals to achieve overall better control of postprandial peaks. The study's objectives are to examine the differing effects of a single bout of pre- or postprandial exercises on the glycemic responses to a standard dinner in subjects with type 2 diabetes and to determine whether moderate exercise done later in the day has a positive effect on glycemic balance. Blood samples from subjects will be analyzed for plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels. In addition, the Lifescan meter will be used to compare blood glucose measurements at the same time points.
Congratulations to Drs. Tom Somma and Scott Sechrist and Prof Faye Coleman on their second Grant Award!
The College of Health Sciences congratulates Drs. Tom Somma and Scott Sechrist and Prof. Faye Coleman in the School of Medical Laboratory & Radiation Sciences on the successful funding of a collaborative grant submission to the Virginia Center on Aging/Virginia Commonwealth University.
The grant entitled "The Relationship among Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, Diabetes and Physical Activity Status" was awarded $30,000. The study is a collaborative effort with Drs. Sheri Colberg (PI) (ODU Dept of Exercise Science) and Anastasia Raymer (ODU Dept. of Special Education) and will examine the relationship among cognitive status, exercise status, and type 2 diabetes or impaired fasting glucose. Diabetes increases an individual's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other forms of dementia (e.g., vascular), while regular physical activity has been shown to lower this risk. The investigators will study 150 people, ages 50-85, half with and the other half without diabetes, using a battery of tests including two cognitive tests (Mini-Mental State Exam and the St. Louis University Mental Status exam), a depression scale (the Even Briefer Assessment Scale for Depression), physical activity (Harvard Alumni Physical Activity Questionnaire) and activities of daily living questionnaires(the Modified Barthel Index), and various metabolic tests (fasting insulin, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, C-peptide, cholesterol, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and more). The primary goal is to determine whether regular exercisers have a better cognitive status compared with non-exercisers, and more importantly, if subjects with diabetes who are regular exercisers have better cognitive function than sedentary diabetic (and even possibly non-diabetic) subjects. Such findings would indicate that an enhanced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia due to diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism can be, at least partially if not fully, offset by the AD risk reduction conferred by regular physical activity.
The College of Health Sciences Welcomes Dr. Karen Kott to the School of Physical Therapy
The College of Health Sciences welcomes Karen Kott, PT, PhD to the School of Physical Therapy. Dr. Kott is an experienced teacher and clinician with an emphasis in practicing pediatric physical therapy. She is also an active researcher. She and colleagues have developed a standardized walking obstacle course (SWOC) for assessing pediatric gait. She plans to extend her research in this area, and is also developing a system to assess upper extremity mobility in children.
College of Health Sciences Grand Opening
On October 3, 2006, Governor Timothy Kaine joined the College of Health Sciences, Dean Andrew Balas, President Roseann Runte and guests in celebrating the renaming of the Technology Bldg to the Health Sciences Bldg with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The building underwent a $9 million renovation that started in 2004 and funded by the higher education bond referendum, which was passed in 2002 when Governor Kaine was lieutenant governor.
The Health Sciences Building now houses all of the College of Health Sciences in one building, with new state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, offices spaces, student meeting and study spaces and a dental hygiene clinic.
Volunteer Receives National Award for Dental Clinic Program
Congratulations to Sharon Stull, a volunteer dental hygienist since 1992, who received the 2006 Colgate/American Dental Hygienists' Association Community Outreach Award. The award recognizes the volunteer efforts of an ADHA member who has conducted a significant outreach program that focuses on preventive oral healthcare.
When Stull started volunteering she noticed on dental clinic days, the line for dental cleanings was the longest. She then designed a preventive dental hygiene access day called "Creating Great Smiles," which took place in October 2005 at Chesapeake Care's dental clinic. The volunteers saw 75 clients in a nine-hour time period which totaled $12,000 in donated preventive dental hygiene services and $6,300 worth of volunteer service.
In addition, Stull received a commemorative gift of $2,000 to continue the preventive oral healthcare program.
Dr. Han-Sun Chiang of Fu-Jen University Medical School Tours the New Technology Building
Representatives of a medical school in Taipei visited with Old Dominion faculty members in health sciences, sciences, education and engineering on Monday, July 24, to explore working together.
Dr. Han-Sun Chiang of Fu-Jen University Medical School in Taiwan was invited by President Roseann Runte and was coordinated by the ODU Board of Visitors member Pat Tsao.
Chiang toured the new Technology Building with Debbie Bauman, Assistant Dean, Patricia Hentosh, Dean of Research in the College of Health Sciences.
New Chairs in the College of Health Sciences
The College of Health Sciences has appointed Deborah Blythe Bauman, BSDH, MS, as the new Chair of the Dental Hygiene Department and Martha Walker, PT, PhD, Chair of the Physical Therapy Department.
Deborah Blythe Bauman, BSDH, MS, has been a valued faculty member of the Dental Hygiene Department, teaching dental hygiene skills at ODU for 25 years! She has worked with German Dental Students and traveled on two mission trips to Nicaragua with the organization Physicians for Peace. In the current academic year, she has served as interim Assistant Dean with energy and enthusiasm.
Martha Walker, PT PhD, has been a much respected faculty contributor to Physical Therapy Department education for 20 years. She has also been on the forefront of energizing physical therapy research. Her past achievements and visions for the future are well substantiated reasons for her enthusiasm.
Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital Foundation Presents Four Local Institutions with $25,000
Old Dominion University was among four local institutions to receive $25,000 donation from the Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital Foundation presented on May 12, 2006. Each donation will be used towards healthcare education and/or training programs exclusive to each school.
This donation was the first official donation by the recently established Lake Taylor Foundation to further the mission and focus of the Hospital. Tidewater Community College, Norfolk State University and Eastern Virginia Medical School also received $25,000 donations.
ODU AWARDED GRANT TO PARTICIPATE IN BIOSURVEILLANCE PROJECT
Read this article (.pdf)
Nursing Department Awarded Research Grant
Congratulations to Dr. Richardean Benjamin, PI and co PIs -Phyllis Barham, Phyllis Eaton, Kay Palmer, Carolyn Rutledge and Lynn Wiles on their research award! This $249,285 award is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services-Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for their project "Educating Culturally Competent Baccalaureate Nurses." A major focus of the project involves incorporating Standardized Patient encounters to the cultural competency preparation of student nurses. Cultural competency of health care providers has been identified by the Institute of Medicine Report as a critical factor related to the health disparity of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Approximately $240,000 will support the project over the next three years.
ADHA Announces Recipient of 2006 Distinguished Service Award
The 2006 ADHA Distinguished Service Award was awarded by the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) to Jackie S. Perry, RDH, MSDH, of Portsmouth, VA.
The award recognizes outstanding achievement and dedication to the profession of dental hygiene.
Ms. Perry has received three degrees from Old Dominion University. Her Association Degree in Dental Hygiene, her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and her Master of Science in Dental Hygiene. Ms Perry is employed at the Norfolk Naval Dental Center/Portsmouth Naval Hospital Dental Clinic.
Ms. Perry was honored on June 24, 2006 at the 83rd annual session in Orlando, FL.
College of Health Sciences Expands Partnership with Physicians for Peace
According to the agreement signed May 19, 2006, ODU and Physicians for Peace (PFP) will work together to develop evidence-based research focused on health sciences education and training missions in developing countries. The benefits of this collaboration will include joint research publications, cultural training of volunteers, joint development of external funding for missions and follow-up research, graduate and undergraduate student and faculty involvement in missions and PFP support for international public health efforts and educational outreach.
In the College of Health Sciences, Associate Professor Gail Grisetti PhD provides energetic leadership for the successful and expanding collaborations. ODU and PFP are collaborating in the areas of global health sciences education and training in underserved and un-served populations of the world, and seek to create an on-going strategic collaboration in initiating long-term, replicable, sustainable and evidence-based health education, research and training programs with developing countries.
Dental Hygiene's Michele Darby, Invited to Jordan University of Science and Technology to Give 3 Presentations
Eminent Scholar and Graduate Program Director, Michele Darby was invited to make 3 professional presentations at the Jordanian Dental Congress May 9-12, 2006 in Amman Jordan. She also spent one day teaching at the Department of Dental Hygiene at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) IN Irbid, one day working in the community (Ajlune) with their dental hygiene students and faculty at a grade school (1-12 levels) providing dental health education.
Ms. Darby was also invited by the planning committee for the Jordanian Dental Congress and the dental hygiene faculty of JUST, three of whom are graduates of the Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Program.
Currently, the Dental Hygiene Program has two more JUST dental hygiene faculty coming to ODU to earn a MSDH degree and Ms Darby has also met two students while in Jordan who are in various stages of application to the MSDH program. Most of these students were or will be funded by JUST.
Ms. Darby has been invited to return to JUST to teach for a 3-4 week session, which she hope to do some time this year and continue to consult with them on curricular issues.
Nuclear Medical Technology Student, One of The First in Her Country with a Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology
Returning to her home country of Kuwait, Aishah Alboloushi, 23, has a job already lined up. She will be one of the first, if not THE first, person in her country with a degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Apparently, Kuwait has big plans for her to work as a technologist and to possibly become a chief technologist and hopefully teach others how to perform nuclear technology procedures. Old Dominion's highly selective nuclear medicine technology program, which admits only 12 juniors each year, is a clinical imaging specialty that utilizes radioactive materials for diagnostic, therapeutic and research purposes. Students learn to operate equipment (gamma camera and PET Scanners) that aid physicians in diagnosing various medical conditions and disorders. Ms. Alboloushi recently passed the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, a national exam that medical technologists must pass to work in the United States.
ODU Study Says School Nurses Can Play Key Role In Preventing Steroid Use
Two Old Dominion University professors warn of the dangers of steroids, sports supplements and performance-enhancing drugs in a recent article in the Journal of School Health, and suggest that school nurses have a unique opportunity to prevent the use of these often harmful supplements.
The article, which appears in the journal's May 2006 edition, was written by Laurel Garzon and Carolyn Rutledge, associate professors of nursing, along with ODU alumni Rebecca Ewald and Teresa Meadows, who work as nurse practitioners.
Performance-enhancing drugs and supplements, while often used to boost athletic performance, ward off fatigue and enhance physical appearance, can also produce a variety of undesired side effects, according to the authors.
For example, the popular over-the-counter supplement creatine, known for building muscle, can cause stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and muscle cramps. High doses of the supplement may even be linked to kidney, liver or heart problems. Another popular chemical, ephedrine, found in supplements like Metabolite, can provide energy and enhance fat burning but also can cause dizziness, headache, irregular heartbeat, stroke, seizure or even death, Garzon said.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that there has been a 50 percent increase in the number of teens who have tried steroids in the past 15 years.
Garzon and Rutledge contend that school nurses have the opportunity and the ethical responsibility to educate both students and parents, many of whom may be unaware of the long-term effects of certain over-the-counter supplements, and to provide information to parent-teacher associations and school administrators.
During a physical examination, nurses can assess the physical indications of steroid use, including hypertension, sudden increase in weight, increased acne or vocal changes, the authors suggest. Other physical symptoms nurses should look for are headache, gastrointestinal distress, change in hair, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, and decreased appetite.
School nurses can also talk to students to gauge changes in mood, such as increased restlessness or aggression, and to check on memory decrease and difficulty in sleeping.
Garzon and Rutledge note in the article that partnerships with key figures in a student's life - parents, teachers, coaches and athletic trainers -can also be helpful: "These partnerships can be vital in identifying at-risk adolescents, providing information, decreasing the pressures to use supplements and developing programs to combat the problem."
ODU Alum and Dental Hygiene Faculty Member To Receive a National Award
Ms. Sharon C. Stull, an ODU alum and dental hygiene faculty member, will receive a National award from the American Dental Hygienists' Association during its annual session in June in Orlando, Florida.
Ms. Stull completed an Associate in Applied Science (Dental Hygiene) from Coastal Carolina Community College and received a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene from ODU in 1996 and a master's degree in dental hygiene from ODU in 2002.She was a full-time instructor at the time she led the School of Dental Hygiene's activity for Dental Hygiene Month,"Creating Great Smiles", conducted on the University's Community Care Day.Free preventive oral hygiene services were offered to community participants at the dental access day, which was held at Chesapeake Cares in Chesapeake, Virginia.The Technology Building was under renovation so a community site was used to provide care to 74 clients valued at over $12,000.Three faculty members and 24 students participated along with volunteers from other area organizations belonging to the Oral Health Improvement Coalition of Southampton Roads (OHICSHR).Old Dominion University School of Dental Hygiene was the lead agency in this dental access day.
Ms. Stull presently is an adjunct assistant professor and teaches applied dental materials and clinical dental hygiene courses.
Medical Technology Blood Drive
This was the 18th year that the MEDT students have sponsored this service learning activity. It is a requirement in the junior year Blood Bank course. It is the course in which they learn about donor requirements, preparation, and therapeutic components. This year the MEDT enlisted the participation of Nursing, DNTH, ENVH, and PT students. The goal was surpassed - 63/60 completed units. There were 74 shows; 11 were either deferred or incomplete draws.
Additional Med Tech News
Human Diagnostic Research Lab is now offering clinical testing.
Kamilla Abramnova, an MT Student, completed a student funded research project in DNA crime scene profiling with Dr. Somma.
Drs. Scott Sechrist, Faye Coleman and Tom Somma were co-authors on a grant involving the effects of exercise on diabetes and alzheimers.
