The Pulse

Thanks for all who participated in the GCSU giving challenge! We were able to raise over $14,000 toward the College of Health Sciences mission.

Your gift to the College of Health Sciences will not only make a difference in student learning and field experiences but will also have a tremendous impact on the health and social well-being of residents throughout Middle Georgia.

We are extremely grateful for your continued support and interest!

• Damian Francis: Granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor

My name is Katelyn "Katie" Hale, and I am a senior undergraduate student at GCSU. I graduate in May with a degree in public health, and have spent this last semester participating in an internship opportunity with the Alzheimer's Association in Macon, Georgia.

By the end of the semester, I will have completed over 480 hours over the span of 16 weeks with this global non-profit. The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to, “[Lead] the way to end

Alzheimer's and all other dementia—by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.”

In the state of Georgia, there are four program managers. I had the privilege of being mentored by the program manager for Central Georgia, which covers major cities such as Macon, Savannah and Augusta. The role of the Program Manager is to recruit and mobilize community educators/volunteers, assess gaps in resources in the respective region, create connections to bridge detected gaps and deliver a wide variety of education programs to local communities.

The ultimate goal is to spread awareness and connect people to what resources are available to them. This work is not exclusive to those at risk for Alzheimer's Disease and other Related Dementias (ADRD). A huge population of focus for the Alzheimer’s Association is caregivers of those living with the disease. Program managers aid in the organization and long-term establishment of caregiver support groups and related resources.

I am proud to say I have been able to significantly contribute to the cause through my internship. My main responsibility was the management of a grant the non-profit received from Navicent Health Foundation H.E.A.T. Fund & Navicent Health Center. This grant-funded project’s goal was to be a pilot program that gauges effectiveness and interest in more non-traditional seminar formats.

We renovated an existing Alzheimer’s Association curriculum and paired it with a heart- and brain- healthy cooking demonstration. My job was to create and prepare all program materials, scout sites to schedule programs, coordinate with each site, deliver each program and submit a written grant report.

According to the survey data we collected before and after this program series, we found significant improvement in knowledge and attitudes among participants regarding competency areas tested for. Some competency areas assessed included “I can recognize how Alzheimer’s affects the brain,” “I know what foods are good for my heart and brain health,” and “I know what healthy behaviors will help prevent Alzheimer's.” The Georgia Alzheimer’s Association intends on replicating this program and our success using the materials from this program statewide, and the findings from our program

analysis indicate it will help increase both participant engagement and knowledge retention.

This by no means was the extent of my work during my internship! I regularly had the chance to be a community educator and deliver many awareness programs in Macon, Forsyth and Milledgeville. I also spent a great deal of time asset mapping, particularly regarding gaps in elder LGBTQIA+ care. This population is uniquely impacted by Alzheimer’s, yet there is a significant lack of programs available to suit their unique needs, especially in Central Georgia.

The Association will use this database to help establish connections and resources to improve health outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community. I also had the opportunity to join other members from across the state for advocacy day at the Georgia capital. We were recognized in the chamber, and I got the chance to speak with my representatives to support HB1123, which ended

up getting passed! This bill, in short, helps create judicial infrastructure to protect against elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This in addition to attending countless educational seminars regarding different intersections of ADRD has made this internship beyond fruitful!

Every day with the Alzheimer’s Association teaches me something new, gets me connected with people making a big difference in this world, and gives me the opportunity to become an advocate for this cause. After a full semester of discovering intersections between aging and other public health issues, I am excited to continue my exploration of this field at UGA this fall, where I will pursue my Masters in Public Health, specially working closely with the UGA memory center.

I cannot thank the Alzheimer's Association enough for all of the support and opportunities they have given me this past semester. It has truly been the experience of a lifetime, and the beginning of many great things for me!

If you or someone you know is in need of Alzheimer’s or caregiver related resources, visit The Alzheimer's Association website or call the 24/7 helpline 800-272-3900.

Undergraduate Cloey Brown, minoring in public health, presented at the Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

• The relationship between privatization and the quality of patient-centered care in the United States. Cloey Brown, Georgia College & State University; Jeff Turner, Georgia College & State University; Stephanie McClure, Georgia College & State University.

• Catherine Fowler: Granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor

The School of Nursing celebrated a truly remarkable milestone, retirement, for Dr. Deborah MacMillan. Fondly known as "Dr. Mac" by many, her impact has been nothing short of exceptional.

Since joining GCSU in 2004, her dedication and expertise have left an indelible mark on our institution. Her versatility as an educator shone through as she taught across the curriculum in the BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Her leadership was instrumental in navigating the complexities of CCNE and ACME accreditations, ensuring our programs met the highest standards of excellence.

Her visionary spirit was evident in the implementation of a third cohort into the SON undergraduate program, a testament to her commitment to advancing nursing education. Her background as a certified nurse midwife brought a unique perspective, culminating in the successful launch of the first nurse midwifery program at a public university in Georgia.

Dr. MacMillan’s leadership, mentorship, and thoughtfulness have touched countless lives throughout her tenure. We are forever grateful for her tireless dedication to the School of Nursing and the nursing profession as a whole.

As she embarks on this new chapter, we know that her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us.

Congratulations Dr. Mac! We wish you well!

As a token of appreciation for his leadership, Kevin Carter, Leadership Board Chair from 2022-2024, received a plaque for his unwavering support to the College of Health Sciences.

Additionally, as a former GCSU baseball player, he received a commemorative jersey with his baseball number #9. So here’s to you, Kevin – Thank you for your leadership and dedication!

Pictured below: Kevin Carter and Dean Will Evans