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Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Mu Epsilon Chapter News
Volume 17, Number 2 Fall 2008
The Mu Epsilon Chapter
was chartered in 1989.
The chartering ceremony
A Message from the President
and first induction took
place on April 29, 1990. Tina DeSmedt-Wells, RN, Consumer expectations and satisfac-
The purpose of Mu Epsilon MS, CPHQ is a Quality tion now drive our health care mar-
is to recognize superior Resource Specialist at
achievement and leader- ket as well as our global economy.
ship, to foster high profes-
ORMC.
sional standards, to en-
We expect to be listened to, to be
courage creative work, taken seriously, to be treated with
and to strengthen commit-
respect, to be told the truth, and to
ment to the ideals and Do onto others….
purposes of the nursing have our needs communicated to the
profession.
When I was a child a friend of my team that is caring for us so that we
parents gave me a red marble with an are treated cohesively. Not really a
Membership in Mu Epsilon inscription that read….”Do onto oth- foreign concept, this is what every-
is by invitation to bacca-
laureate and graduate ers as you would have them do onto one desires, not just the consumers of
nursing students who
you”. This inscribed marble has made healthcare.
demonstrate excellence in
scholarship, and to nurse a profound effect on my life and my
leaders exhibiting excep- Members of Sigma Theta Tau expect
tional achievements in
relationships both professional and
this as well. Our lives have numer-
nursing. personal. Patients and their family
ous demands placed upon us daily.
members desire to be listened to,
When we give of our precious time
taken seriously and treated with re-
to attend a function or to volunteer,
spect…hmmm sounds familiar …”as
Inside this issue: you would have done onto you”. (Continued on page 6)
Annual Meeting 3
Research Day, April 4
Leadership Academy: An Inspiring Experience
Mu Epsilon Officers 7 Representing our Chapter, Andrea they were pleasantly surprised to be
Ackermann, President-elect and greeted and treated with warmth,
Board meeting 7
Debra Hrelic, Faculty Counselor, enthusiasm, and a sense of “we are all
Grant and Scholar- 8 headed for Indianapolis on Thursday, in this together”. They encountered
ship Opportunities
September 25, 2008 to attend the three major highlights. First, they
Sigma Theta Tau Leadership Acad- (Continued on page 2)
emy. Having no idea what to expect,
Page 2 Mu Epsilon Chapter News Volume 17, Number 2
(Continued from page 1) Concurrent sessions were presented on chapter
(Leadership Academy) leadership, service, re-vitalizing the chapter, and
had a chance to meet other Sigma chapter leaders at networking) . As they returned to New York on
the regional get-togethers, at meals, and a formal September 28, they reflected on how rewarding
meeting. This helped them understand how the this trip was for them and how their new ideas will
region is organized and how it can help Mu Epsilon. help the chapter to improve our networking, com-
munication, and participation.
Second, they visited the International Center for
Nursing Scholarship (which is also honor society Jeanette Maliha-Nebus, another member of our
headquarters) and met the CEO and president of chapter, also attended the Sigma Theta Tau Leader-
Sigma Theta Tau as well as finding the Mu Epsilon ship Academy.
brick. Third, they were honored to be recognized
Jeanette felt pride and awe at being among such a
on behalf of our chapter at the Celebration and
large group of accomplished nurses (475 in all),
Recognition Luncheon: Showcase of Regional Ex-
While touring the Center for Nursing Scholarship,,
cellence, which is "a new regional recognition pro-
she was very pleased to discover on display a publi-
gram for chapters and consortia to receive recogni-
cation, Reflections of Nursing: Leadership, of
tion for innovative representation of one or more of
which the Fourth Quarter 2002 issue, contains an
the honor society's three strategic directions--
article that she authored, "Industrial Pollution: A
Knowledge, Service, and Leadership."
Nurse Fights Back," (She is pictured below holding
At the Showcase of Regional Excellence, Mu Epsi- that publication.)
lon received ten awards, more than any other chap-
ter! The following entries were honored: Call for
Abstracts, Call for Nominations, CEUs for
Educational Events, Founders Day Celebra-
tion, Implementation of Guidelines for
Awards, Key Award as Mentoring Tool, Let-
ters to Inactive and Transferring Members,
New Member Orientation, Presentation to
Freshman Nursing Students, and Strategic
Plan as an Orientation Tool.
Sigma Theta Tau Headquarters (Continued on page 3)
Volume 17, Number 2 Mu Epsilon Chapter News Page 3
(Continued from page 2) the neighborhood--you'll find it extremely interest-
ing and beautiful." An additional highlight of
Jeanette is a retired RN, a former nurse-educator, Jeanette's trip, unrelated to nursing, was meeting
supervisor and patient care coordinator, and re- the professional soccer team, the Chicago Fire, who
ceived the New York State Nurses Association 2005 happened to be on the same flight she was taking
Media Award for her advocacy efforts, which are home from Chicago! She was able to obtain their
described in her article and in a poster which she autographs, which mightily impressed her grand-
presented which is now on display at Mount St. son, who is a soccer fan.
Mary College near the office of the Division of
Nursing. About her trip to Sigma headquarters,
Jeanette advises, "Don't miss it if you are ever in
Annual Meeting and Fall Program: October 7, 2008
Mu Epsilon Chapter held its Annual Meeting with
Induction of new officers, chaired by President Tina
De-Smedt Wells, followed by an educational pres-
entation for which attendees received CE credit.
The topic of the evening’s presentation was
“Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behav-
ior.” It was an enjoyable power point presentation
by Derrielle Dorsey, RN, and Francine Gitlin, RN,
with audience participation. Personal safety skills Francine Gitlin, RN, Derrielle Dorsey, RN
were demonstrated, including stance,
proxemics, kicks, punches and grabs.
The objectives of the presentation were to
enable the audience to identify levels of
stress, identify signs of escalating behav-
ior, identify the types of attacks and to
identify and demonstrate personal safety
skills.
The bottom line is to remember that pre-
vention is the key to managing disruptive
behavior. “Given the right set of circum-
Board and Committee members: Front: Christine Feroli, Barbara
stances, ANY person has the potential for Heckman, Andy Ackermann, Jeanne Roth. Back: Sharon Goodson,
violence in order to regain control of his/ Mark Litcofsky, Debbie Hrelic, Beverly Duncklee, Linda Dombroski
her environment.”
Page 4 Mu Epsilon Chapter News Volume 17, Number 2
Research Day: April 15, 2008
Mu Epsilon chapter held its 12th Annual Research Dr. Leighsa Sharoff, EdD, RN, NPP, AHN, BC
Conference, “Toward Vision 2020: Turning Passion presented “Critical Incident Technique: A Qualita-
into Practice” on April 15, 2008 at Villa Borghese in tive Research Methodology for Nursing Practice.”
Wappingers Falls, New York.
She is an Assistant Professor at Hunter College
A distinguished and diverse group of nurses pre- School of Nursing and an accomplished presenter in
sented their contributions to nursing and nursing holistic nursing and pain management. Dr. Sharoff
research. All are members of Sigma Theta Tau In- discussed the use of the Critical Incident Technique
ternational and two received grants for their re- as a qualitative, systematic, open-ended method for
search from the Mu Epsilon chapter. obtaining descriptive data.
Dr. Helen Werner, PhD, RN, an Associate Chief Elizabeth Lee, RN, MSN, CFNP is a Family/School
Nurse at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care Sys- Nurse Practitioner in the Newburgh City School
tem, presented, “Dysphagia Education and RNs’ District.
Intention to Perform Dysphagia Assessment.”
Her extensive studies of the Asian culture have en-
Her work as a member of The Dysphagia Task- abled her to identify nursing needs within that com-
force/EES subgroup and team leader for the Nurs- munity.
ing Tool Development Subgroup led to the devel-
She presented her research, “Achieving Semantic
opment of a VA Directive on Swallowing Disor-
Equivalence between the Chinese and English Ver-
ders, guidelines and educational programs for the
sions of the Postpartum Depression Screening
participating disciplines.
Scale,” on the use of translated tools that enable the
Presenters Leighsa Sharoff, Elizabeth Lee, Andrea
Ackermann, and Helen Werner
Volume 17, Number 2 Mu Epsilon Chapter News Page 5
(Continued from page 4)
(Research Day)
reduction of health disparities in
minority populations.
Dr. Andrea Ackermann, PhD, RN,
CCRN, is an Assistant Professor of
Nursing at Mount Saint Mary Col-
lege.
She has consulted for numerous
Hudson Valley hospitals, teaching
critical care nursing, and incorpo-
rating simulation into staff develop-
ment programs.
She is recognized as a simulation
expert and is an active member of
the NYS Learning Resource Center Research Day poster presenters: From left to right: Christina
Bierling, RN, CNRN, Lisa Schulte, MS, RN, CGRN, Cheryl
group, NLN, and INACSL, pro-
Walker, RN, MS,CS, CWCN, Tasha DeFelice, RN
moting the expansion of simula-
tion in nursing education.
She presented her research, “Acquisition and Reten- Save the date:
tion of CPR Knowledge and Skills for Junior Level Mu Epsilon will sponsor its next
Baccalaureate Nursing Students.” Research Day on April 21, 2009.
Now Accepting Applications for Poster Presentations
Research Presentations Research Utilization Evidence Based Practice
For
Research Day
Date: April 21, 2009
Location: Villa Borghese, Wappingers Falls, NY
Please send poster title, abstract and author curriculum vitae to:
Mark LItcofsky, Vice-President, Mu Epsilon
4 Sycamore Drive, Beacon NY 12508
Email: mlitcofsky@aol.com
All information should be received no later than February 28, 2009
Page 6 Mu Epsilon Chapter News Volume 17, Number 2
(Continued from page 1) I have found that my peers hold a vast wealth of
knowledge, just waiting to be tapped into.
we expect that we will be treated with respect to
Mark Litcofsky has been an amazing President and
our time, money and sense of professionalism.
has been a driving force in moving our Chapter to-
As the new leader of our Sigma Chapter, I am opti- wards our goal of being the organization and chap-
mistic that our Chapter will meet the consumer ex- ter of choice. I hope to continue to build upon the
pectations of our membership. solid foundation that Mark has created for us.
Our Chapter has a strong, creative and dynamic The Officers and Committee members of Mu Epsi-
team. Chapters are only as strong as their mem- lon strive to maintain a Chapter that recognizes the
bers, so I ask each of you to do onto others and par- importance of Nursing Research, focusing on local
ticipate, for without you, we have no future. talent to bring you quality programs with Continu-
ing Education Credits. The efforts taken should not
We need more members to step up and volunteer.
go unrecognized; I would like to express my grati-
New members equal new ideas. I ask each of you
tude to all of them for their hard work.
to remember your induction, and ask of yourself - If
someone had not volunteered to be officers and As I take the position of President of the Mu Epsi-
committee members would you currently be a lon Chapter I hope that I can do onto you, as you
member? have done onto me….You have allowed me to par-
ticipate as a President-Elect, delegate, treasurer,
The experience of serving in leadership for Sigma
newsletter editor, awards committee member, and
Theta Tau has been a wonderful opportunity.
now your President. What a wonderful journey
Friendship, mutual respect, camaraderie and team-
this is.
work are some of the rewards that I have found. I
have had the honor of working with extraordinary I hope that each of you will venture to step into the
individuals and respected professionals. future of volunteerism as a Sigma Theta Tau mem-
ber in our global community.
Get involved!
Serve Mu Epsilon as an Officer or help out on a Com-
Coming up!
mittee. The following positions are coming up for re-
International Nursing Research Congress
election: Vice president, Treasurer, Committee mem-
Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice
bers for Leadership, Governance and Nominating
July 12-17, 2009
Committees.
Cancun, Mexico
For more details, go to:
www.nursing society.org Contact Joby David or Leah Macfarland (See next
page for contact information) for more information.
Volume 17, Number 2 Mu Epsilon Chapter News Page 7
Mu Epsilon Officers and Committee Members, 2008/09
President Tina DeSmedt-Wells 845-344-1059 schebs@frontiernet.net
twells@ormc.org
President-Elect Andrea Ackermann 845-569-3134 ackerman@msmc.edu
Vice-President Mark Litcofsky 845-831-1115 mlitcofsky@aol.com
Leadership Succession Linda Dombroski ldombroski@health-quest.org
Committee
Beverly Duncklee bduncklee@yahoo.com
Barbara Heckman
Secretary Sharon Goodson jgoodson@hvc.rr.com
Treasurer Karen Tice whiteeagle1936@yahoo.com
Faculty Counselors/ Debra Hrelic (Chair) 845-569-3141 debhrelic@aol.com
Governance Committee Jeanne Roth roth@msmc.edu
Nominating Committee Joby David jobydavid@hotmail.com
Leah Macfarland leah.macfarland@va.gov
Christine Feroli feroli@frontiernet.net
Newsletter Editor Stephanie Walker 845-831-5024 stephanie2u@optonline.net
All members are welcome at Board meetings and planning meetings. Meetings take place at Mount
St. Mary College, Aquinas Hall, Room 212.
Prior to attending, confirm time and place by contacting an officer.
Upcoming board meeting dates: January 27, 2009
May 26, 2009
Page 8 Mu Epsilon Chapter News Volume 17, Number 2
Grant and Scholarship Opportunities
Need funding for your pet project?
Research grants and scholarships are available from Mu Epsilon. If interested, contact Debra Hrelic, Chair-
person of the Mu Epsilon Governance Committee (see officers' roster, page 7).
Information about a variety of grants can be found on the Sigma website. Go to:
http://www.nursingsociety.org/Research/SmallGrants/Pages/grants_small.aspx
Full details about grants available, and detailed information about applying for grants can be found at that
webpage.
Are you interested in submitting an abstract and need assistance? Writing Successful Abstracts: A
Nurse Mentorship Program for Research Grants and Presentations is a FREE, virtual mentoring
program that will help you write successful abstracts for research proposals, grants and presentations.
To learn more about Writing Successful Abstracts, go to:
http://www.nursingsociety.org/LeadershipInstitute/Pages/AWMP.aspx
Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation Announces Scholarships & Awards Program
Scholarships and awards (funding for research, educational or community service projects, according to the
terms of each award) are available for the 2008-2009 academic year in the following areas:
• NPHF/Procter & Gamble Endowed Scholarship in Community Service (one $1,000 scholarship awarded
to an NP student)
• NPHF/Procter & Gamble Endowed Scholarship in Gastroenterology (one $1,000 scholarship awarded
to an NP student)
• NPHF/sanofi-pasteur Health Through Immunizations Awards (three awards of $3,500 each, for practic-
ing NPs)
• NPHF/Pfizer Community Innovations Grant Program (eight awards of $3,000 each, to practicing NPs
or NP graduate students)
• NPHF/Alpharma Pain Management Awards (four awards of $5,000 each to graduate NP students)
(Continued on page 9)
Volume 17, Number 2 Mu Epsilon Chapter News Page 9
Grants and Scholarships
(Continued from page 8)
Information about eligibility criteria, deadlines, and applications is available on the NPHF website (http://
www.nphealthcarefoundation.org). Click on Projects & Programs.
Ten teams of nurses throughout the US have received funding to improve the treatment of patients with
auto-immune diseases and cancer, through grants awarded by the DAISY
Foundation. These nurses are conducting research to improve patient quality of
life and clinical outcomes. Grant amounts were up to $5,000.
Applications are now being accepted for the foundation's 2009 J. Patrick Bar-
nes Research Grant, which funds nursing research and evidence-based practice
projects. The deadline for grant applications is March 1, 2009. Additional in-
formation and the grant application are available at
www.DAISYfoundation.org.
Editor’s Corner
After an absence of 10 years from this role,, I’ve once again committed myself to the semi-annual struggle with desk-
top publishing software to be your newsletter editor again.
Help me to make this an enjoyable newsletter! Contact me with news items about your professional activities.
Write a short (1000 words or less) feature article on something you have a special interest or expertise in.
If you have an idea, but have writer’s block or don’t have to time to polish up your syntax, email me a rough draft,
and I’ll edit it and send it back to you for final tweaking. If you’ve read a good professional book and want to let oth-
ers know about it, write a short book review. Share the latest news from your place of employment or facility, about
innovations in technology or patient care. We have many nurse scholars, but our organization is also by and for com-
munity nurse leaders and its mission has many facets: knowledge, scholarship, service and learning.
Your Editor,
Stephanie Walker, RN, FNP
If you change your address, stay on the mailing list by changing your member information on the Sigma
website. Go to www.nursingsociety.org, click on Membership, then click on My Membership. Have your
member number handy.
Save the dates!
December 4, 2008: Induction Ceremony at Villa Borghese
December 7, 2008 Regional Conference in NewYork City
(Download registration from: www.nursingsociety.org/Chapters/Regions/Pages/Regions/Pages/region14.aspx)
March 4, 2009 Sigma Celebration: A new member welcome
and peer networking opportunity
(Snow Date March 18)
April 21, 2009 Research Day
Spring 2009 Suicide Prevention program: jointly sponsored by
Mu Epsilon and Mt. St. Mary College (Date TBA)
Ocrober 6, 2009 Annual Meeting and Fall Program
December 3, 2009 Induction Ceremony
Sigma Theta Tau International
Mu Epsilon Chapter
Division of Nursing
Mount St. Mary College
330 Powell Avenue
Newburgh NY 12550
