Celebrating Nurse Practitioners (guest blog by Dean Laurie Lauzon Clabo)

Dean Laurie Lauzon Clabo (School of Nursing) has provided this contribution to the Provost Blog.  Thanks to Laurie for her thoughts on Nurse Practitioners during this celebratory week!


By Laurie Lauzon Clabo, Dean, School of Nursing


November 13th to 19th is National Nurse Practitioner Week. Nurse Practitioners, advanced practice registered nurses with Master’s level preparation, have been making significant contributions to the health of the nation since 1965, when the role was first introduced by the pioneering Dr. Loretta Ford at the University of Colorado. Since that time, NPs have been serving as pioneers, leading the way in clinical care for people in primary, community and acute care settings with a special emphasis on care for the most vulnerable and underserved. The recently released report on the Future of Nursing by the Institute of Medicine calls for an even more expanded role for the 150,000 Nurse Practitioners in the US, working to the full scope of the their preparation to collaborate fully with other health professionals in leading a redesigned health care system.
The Institute has been preparing nurse practitioners since 1985. In 2007, we also began to offer the highest practice degree in the profession, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Currently our program is recognized as being in the top 10% in the country - and with good reason.
Every day, our expert NP faculty members are making contributions in both practice and scholarship that serve to improve the health of our community and to guide the ongoing reform of the healthcare system, working in true interprofessional teams. From providing care and support to at-risk adolescents; to the diagnosis and management of common and chronic illness across the lifespan; to providing essential mental health services for children and adults; to caring for women and children; to making the health care system safer for older adults with delirium and guiding end-of-life care decisions; to leading healthcare systems across the nation and around the globe, our NP faculty are truly making a difference in the lives of those they serve. And while doing all of this, they are proudly preparing the next generation of their colleagues. From the day they enter our programs students are supported to find their passion in nursing and to determine where they will contribute their expertise to the care of our community. This week, join me in celebrating the many contributions of our NP’s, both present and future, who are leading in ways that make us all healthier!

Laurie Lauzon Clabo, PhD
Dean, School of Nursing
November 13, 2011

Colleagues and Veterans

Today, November 11, is Veterans Day.   Celebrated in the United States since the 1950s, Veterans Day is  "a celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of 

country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good."  These are the words of President Eisenhower who proclaimed the original declaration for Veterans Day.

We are fortunate to have as colleagues several individuals who have served our country as members of the military.  Five of our current faculty members and several current students are veterans.  Additionally, at least two of our current students are active service members.  Today, November 11, those visiting our building will find attractive posters and flags in each of the lobby areas.  President Bellack has asked that these displays be placed in honor of all  veterans and military personnel, particularly those from the Institute community.

I want to express gratitude to those members of our community who are veterans and to those who are actively serving in the military.  Through their dedication and talent, they have contributed to our country in a highly visible and substantive way.  Through their combined dedication to the service of our country, they have set a wonderful example-one of service and caring- that is of great value and represents a model of sacrifice for which I am personally grateful

Please join me in expressing your appreciation to our colleagues who have extended their leadership and talent by serving our country.    Their combined years of service cross several generations, several locations around the world, and several of the wars in which our country has been involved.