The Pulse

This past weekend time changed. We set our clocks back and gained an hour as we entered Eastern Standard Time for the next four and a half months. Some like the change and others do not, but until legislation is changed, the practice of setting clocks forward or back will continue. Change is not embraced by most people. Change usually brings about apprehension, frustration and fear because of the unknown or because of a disruption to our status quo. Some individuals may feel unsafe or insecure during times of change. The anticipation of change can cause us to remain silent when circumstances otherwise call for us to advocate for improvements or justice. I would challenge us to think a bit differently about change by realizing that the status quo can have as much or more devastating effects on an organization than can change. The mindset of “we’ve always done it that way” or “that’s not the way we do things here” are often the most difficult things to overcome, even when the need for change is evident. If it’s not broke, then why tamper with it? Perhaps the outcome has been good. But why wouldn’t we strive for better . . . or best! “Good is the enemy of great” (Collins, 2001, location 73). And even if our goal is not greatness, times change and the new times call for new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking. The budget cuts that we are experiencing now is a perfect example. Trying to find creative ways to continue to expand and grow in a time of financial constraint is necessary. I am not suggesting a change in the foundational core values on which you build everything else. But change in the structure or in some process(es) are necessary to prevent the death of an organization. Depending on legislation time may change back in late March, and if so, we will lose an hour that weekend, make adjustments as needed, and we will appreciate the daylight lasting longer. Regardless, change is imminent. We can only control our responses to it. Make it your best response!

Collins, J. (2001). Good to great. HarperBusiness.

At a meeting on what concerns residents—a gentleman from Oconee Heights, Milledgeville, once asked Dr. Damian Francis if he'd be like all the others—doing one thing to help the community, then disappearing.

"I said, 'No, we're here for the long haul.' That was 2½ years ago, and we're still here. We're showing some benefit now, and residents are appreciative," said Francis, an epidemiologist and director of Georgia College & State University's Center for Health & Social Issues (CHSI).

"It gives us credibility. We're now seen as a credible entity when it comes to health, and people take us seriously. The county takes us seriously. The county knows we're not just here to cast blame and say the government is not doing enough. When it really matters, we'll put our money where our mouth is. We'll put our hands and feet on the ground to make this work."

– Dr. Damian Francis

Read the Front Page story by University Communications here.

Fourteen faculty and staff in exercise science went through a two-day training conducted by Innovative Sports Training on The Motion Monitor system - Vicon motion capture system, Ascension trakSTAR motion capture system, XSENS motion capture system (Inertial Sensor Modules), Noraxon EMG system, and JumpPro force plate analysis (AMTI force plates).

Congratulations to Athletic Training Program Director Dr. Sarah Myers on her recent publication, "Meaning Making Among Professional Master's Athletic Training Students," here.

Two groups of exercise science students from an applied research class participated in the undergraduate research critique competition at the International Organization for Health, Sports, and Kinesiology October 1 –4, 2022. One group received the “Outstanding Research Critique Presentation” with $200 scholarships.

Group 1: Receiving the award from left to right: Alexis Vallianatos, Maddie Johnson, Lainey Thomas, and Evan Rees

Group 2: From left to right: Kaitlyn Smith, Elizabeth Hayes, and Mackenzie Fife

Public Health Senior Seminar class students participated in a professional development and networking dinner this month. Thank you to the COHS Leadership Board for their participation and support.

Public Health has recently assembled an Advisory Board as we progress toward seeking national accreditation (Council on Education for Public Health/CEPH) for the undergraduate program. As we gather information and comprise data, the Advisory Board will provide us with professional expertise and guidance to best educate our students in the field of public health. We are incredibly grateful for these volunteers and look forward to a fantastic working relationship. The Advisory Board (thus far) includes:

Karen Ebey, Tessendorf Georgia Department of Public Health

Abbigale Clifford, Georgia Department of Public Health and Alumna

Dr. Jeremy Aguinaldo, Physician, Georgia Department of Public Health

Henry Craig Chairman, Baldwin County Commissioner

Gloria Wicker, Baldwin County Georgia School Board

Charlotte Petonic Robbins, Department of Health Promotion & Wellness, University of

Alabama and Alumna

Madeline Conlon, GCSU Public Health Student Association President

Dr. Mandy Jarriel, GCSU Professor and Assistant Director School of Health &

Human Performance

Dr. Beth Sundstrom of the College of Charleston visited Georgia College & State University October 6th and Friday, October 7th. She presented the annual Begemann-Gordon lecture through the Women's and Gender Studies program. Her lecture titled "Sometimes a private matter needs public support: Reproductive justice in comparative context: Ireland/US" was delivered to 160 participants.

The following day, Dr. Sundtrom led a workshop co-sponsored by MURACE titled "The Women's Health Research Team as a Model for Engaged Pedagogy in Undergraduate Research." The workshop was for faculty members who mentor undergraduate research.

Thanks to all who participated in our 1st "Trick or Treatment" patient safety escape room October 21 at our Simulation Center. Students in all nursing cohorts were invited to participate in this fun learning event. Once students made their way through all scenarios, they could have their team's photo made in our "I Survived" photo booth. Even President Cox & Provost Spirou joined us for some "Spooktacular" fun!

The Georgia College School of Nursing will start offering a one-year Healthcare Simulation Certificate Program this upcoming spring semester.

This program is in response to the increasing need to prepare healthcare educators in academia and healthcare practice settings to conduct simulation education following national and international best-practice standards. Despite being from different healthcare disciplines, those certified as healthcare simulation educators share the goal of ultimately reducing errors in patient care using multi-modal simulation methodologies. Such modalities include task trainers, patient simulators, virtual reality, screen-based simulation and standardized patients.

The program will offer three graduate-level courses as a part of this certificate to prepare post-baccalaureate students for simulation roles. This program will make Georgia College the first academic institution in Georgia to provide a simulation certificate.

Georgia College & State University is expanding its Medical Reserves Corps. Faculty, staff, and students are all invited to join our MRC!

Our unit is one of a few located on university campuses across the country that supports the MRC with a unit comprised of its students, faculty, and staff.

Many MRC volunteers assist with activities to improve public health in their community – increasing health literacy, supporting prevention efforts (such as vaccine clinics), and reducing health disparities.

Read more about this Front Page Story here.

Contact Dr. Fowler at catherine.fowler@gcsu.edu or Dr. Kaninjing at ernie.kaninjing@gcsu.edu for more information.

The student-led organization GCANS (Georgia College Association of Nursing Students) meets monthly with nursing and pre-nursing students. The meetings’ focus is to gain insight into nursing-related careers with their guest speakers, fulfill donation needs around the community, and create a social and stress-free environment for nursing students. The members have also volunteered with the Cottages assisted living home to help with their events. This past month, GCANS members got to volunteer for the Cottages’ October Fest Block Party and a birthday party they offer their residents.

Upcoming events for GCANS:

11/09: GCANS fundraiser at Shima sushi — from 11:00-9:00 PM. To support, order your food and say you’re there for GCANS.

11/10: GCANS is partnering with GCMiracle to fundraise for BKO Children’s Hospital. Join them on campus at the A&S fountain from 1:00-2:00 PM to pie some of the nursing program’s favorite professors.

11/15: Last monthly meeting of the semester @ 6:00 PM in Peabody Auditorium.

Follow GCANS on Instagram: @gcsu_gcans

The College of Health Sciences is now accepting COHS Hall of Fame nominations. Please use the link below to submit nominations.

Nomination Link: https://forms.office.com/r/FsqP2SAAty

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