2014-2015 Innovations Magazine

i nnovations • 15 Marcia Derby-Davis, Ph.D., M.S.N., R.N. Professor, Entry-Level Nursing Program Dr. Derby-Davis, who joined the NSU nursing fac- ulty in 2006, began her health care career in 1987 after earning her associate’s degree in Nursing from Southern University in Collegedale, Tennessee. Fol- lowing graduation, she returned to South Florida to launch her nursing career. Several years later, she resumed her studies, earning her Bachelor of Sci- ence degree in Nursing from Florida Atlantic Univer- sity in 2000. Because she is a dedicated lifelong learner, Dr. Derby-Davis went on to receive a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2006. In 2012, she continued her educational quest by earning her doctoral degree in Nursing at Barry University in Miami, Florida. Over the years, she has presented at local and na- tional conferences on numerous topics, including the nursing predictors of nursing faculty job satisfaction, utilizing simulation to enhance learning, resilience, and nursing leadership, and global nursing strategies. “Teaching is my passion, and I believe every student is created for greatness, Dr. Derby-Davis stated. “My motto is ‘failure is not an option.’” Debbie Diamond, M.S.N., A.R.N.P., FNP-BC Assistant Professor, Entry-Level Nursing Program Diamond received her nursing diploma from the Jackson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida Interna- tional University, and her Master of Science in Nursing from Barry University with a specialization in nursing administration. She also became board certified as a family nurse practitioner. The majority of her career has been spent working in pediatrics, particularly in the pediatric oncology spe- cialty. Diamond, who joined the Baptist Scholars de- partment in 2007, provides instruction to College of Nursing students and has taught courses in pediatrics, leadership, business, medical-surgical nursing, and health assessment. She wholeheartedly believes in the nursing profes- sion and is energized by creating a classroom environ- ment that enables students to learn without pressure. Aline Monique Dowd, M.S.N., A.R.N.P.-BC Assistant Professor, Entry-Level Nursing Program Dowd, who joined the NSU faculty team in August 2008, earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nursing from Florida International University in Miami, Florida, and received her certification as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in adult health in 2006. Currently, she is pursuing her doctor- ate degree in Health Care Education at NSU’s Abra- ham S. Fischler School of Education. Her clinical experience includes adult health, pedi- atric health, and clinical nursing education, while she has taught courses that encompass a range of topics such as Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice, Mathematical Applications for Nursing Practice, Foun- dations for Health Assessment, Primary Concepts of Adult Health Nursing I, Pharmacologic Basis for Nurs- ing Interventions I, and Pharmacologic Basis for Nurs- ing Interventions II. Dowd’s current area of research involves the inte- gration of technology to promote nursing student en- gagement in the classroom. Ana Fernandez, D.N.P., M.S.N., R.N., CNE Assistant Professor, Entry-Level Nursing Program Dr. Fernandez, who joined the College of Nursing in 2011 as its clinical manager of human patient simu- lation, received a nursing diploma from Jackson Me- morial Hospital School of Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Excelsior College. She then earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education and a doctoral degree in Nursing from Walden University. In a career that spans over 30 years, she has worked in various areas of nursing that include med- ical-surgical, burns, trauma, gynecology and oncology, home health quality assurance, and pediatric home health. Her research interests include the evolution of simulation-based learning and its relationship with clinical judgment. She is currently working on research related to the effects of the electronic health record on documentation in the simulation lab. Cynthia Fletcher, Ph.D., M.S.N., R.N. Associate Professor, M.S.N. and Ph.D. Programs Dr. Fletcher received her bachelor’s degree from Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, her mas- ter’s from Hunter College in New York, and her doctor- ate from the University of Miami. She also completed postdoctoral training at Indiana University in Indianapo- lis as well as a genetic fellowship at the National Insti- tute of Nursing Research in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Fletcher, who specialized in critical care nursing and assumed many administrative positions in acute care, has held faculty positions at universities in Ala- bama, Indiana, and New York. Her primary area of research involves improving the quality of life for individuals with sickle cell disease. She is presently investigating the perceptions of stu- dents to clinical experiences in rural and underserved community sites. Joan Frater-Clarke, R.N., M.P.H., M.S.N., A.R.N.P. Assistant Professor, Entry-Level Nursing Program Frater-Clarke, who began her NSU career as an adjunct clinical professor before becoming a full- time faculty member in 2009, obtained her Bache- lor of Science degree in Nursing from Barry University. She then received a Master of Public Health degree, a graduate certificate in gerontol- ogy, and a Master’s of Science degree in Nurs- ing/A.R.N.P. from Florida International University. Currently, she is in the midst of completing a doc- toral degree in Nursing Education at Nova South- eastern University. Her specializations include medical-surgical nursing, adult health care, and adult education and development research. She also serves as chair of the college’s Faculty Affairs Committee. Linda Fritzinger-Hearn, M.S.N., R.N. Assistant Professor, Entry-Level Nursing Program Fritzinger-Hearn, who began working at NSU in the fall of 2009, received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Nursing Education from Nova Southeast- ern University and is in the process of completing her doctorate in Education at the university. Her career has featured a mix of experience that includes working in psychiatric nursing with eating dis- order and chronic pain clients as well as in community nursing with traumatic brain-injured and developmen- tally disabled clients. Positions she has held include case management and rehabilitation admissions liai- son, assistant nurse manager, and nurse educator. Fritzinger-Hearn, who is extremely involved in com- munity initiatives, is working with colleagues on re- search regarding the underserved population in South Florida and is conducting research regarding new nurse employment qualifications. She worked at NSU’s Miami Regional Campus in Kendall until the fall of 2012, which is when she transferred to the main campus in Davie. Kelly Goebel, D.N.P., M.S.N., ACNP-BC Assistant Professor, Entry-Level Nursing Program Dr. Goebel, who has been with NSU since 2010 in- structing students in nursing research, health assess- ment, and advanced medical-surgical nursing, received her undergraduate degree from St. Joseph’s College of Nursing, her Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University Chicago, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of South Florida. Over the past few decades, she has gained expe- rience in critical care/emergency nursing as well as in the aeromedical field and has volunteered overseas to work with refugees in Kosovo and Albania. She cur- rently practices as an acute-care nurse practitioner in Southwest Florida. Dr. Goebel, who is certified as both a critical care and emergency nurse, has an interest in the field of critical care, with a focus on sepsis. As a result, she is working on an education program to increase awareness of sepsis for the medical-surgical nurse. Kelly Henson-Evertz, D.N.P., M.S.N., R.N.-C, CTTS Assistant Professor, Entry-Level Nursing Program Dr. Henson-Evertz received her associate’s degree at Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Metro- politan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota, her mas- ter’s in Nursing at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is certified in inpatient obstetrical nursing and as a certified tobacco treatment specialist. Over the course of her 33-year nursing career, Dr. Henson- Evertz has held many positions, including staff nurse in surgical orthopedics, post-partum, mother-baby, and nursery, perinatal educator, HIV counselor, to- bacco cessation counselor, and nurse educator. Recently, Dr. Henson-Evertz conducted an evi- dence-based practice intervention that educated Meet Our Faculty Members — bios