The Southern University Schoolof Nursing celebrated its fifth Annual Research Day March 24 -25. The theme wasResearch Initiatives for the 21st Century: Reducing Health Disparities inVulnerable Populations.
The program was in memory of Dr.Lucille Davis, former director of the Southern University School of NursingOffice of Nursing Research, chair of the Graduate Nursing Program, andcommissioner of the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
“I have enjoyed the conferencethoroughly,” said Chanal Brown, a senior nursing major from Baton Rouge. “Thespeakers have assured me of my role as a nurse.”
Motivational speakers, healthseminars and handouts including a 2005 daybook, women’s health and mortalitychart book, a black women’s health passport and pamphlets were available toconference participants.
“We are very excited to havethese great speakers,” said Cheryl Taylor, interim chair of the GraduateNursing Program, and director of the Office of Nursing Research. “We have so many smart people in theSchool of Nursing, so we like to have the best people come and speak.”
The pre-conference speaker onFeb. 24 was Dr. Larry Lowry, co-director of the Southwest Center for PediatricEnvironmental Health at the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, Texas.
At the university, Lowry hasdeveloped and taught courses in occupational and environmental health,industrial hygiene and toxicology. In addition, he teaches at the University of Texas at Tyler School ofNursing.
Lowry spoke at the event aboutthe facts, myths, risk factors, environmental location and precautions to takeconcerning Mercury issues and environmental health.
“Nurses spend more time withpatients than doctors. They are the best patient doctors,” Lowry said. “It isimportant that they be aware of current health issues.”
Yvonne T. Green, director of theOffice of Women’s Health at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention andthe Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, was the keynote speakerfor the conference held on Feb. 25.
Green gave six lessons to liveby for nurses and all individuals: think big and act small; start where youcan, use what you have do what you can; do what you can despite yourcontradictions; never underestimate your ability to influence; do what inspiresyou; and life is not perfect, but there are plenty of perfect moments.
“Choose to feel good, beexcited, and learn,” Green said. “Take this opportunity to learn and learn howto help and assist one another.”
Green also spoke about women’shealth issues such as cervical cancer, the importance of mammograms, high bloodpressure, diabetes, and pregnancy related deaths.
Southern University School ofNursing Scholar, Aimee C. Davis, was also on hand to answer questions and tellof her experiences thus far to her former peers.
“Making a difference issometimes as simple as sharing information,” Green said. “There is still somuch we can do to educate one another.”