Plotnick Endowment Annual Report 2018-2019

The work of the Julia and Harold Global Nursing endowment began in 2017 to promote global health engagement and learning for students and faculty at UMassD. For the academic year 2018-2019, the work of the endowment launched in early fall with the inaugural trip to Glendora, Mississippi for the ABS program. Led by Professor Shelley Lynch, this five-day trip to the Delta region engaged two ABS students in community health needs assessment, health screening and promotion. Professor Street, the Julia and Harold Plotnick Professor of Global Nurisng, mentored Professor Lynch and accompanied her on this trip. (See Itinerary attached.) Further, the CON advanced the model for the inclusion of a DNP student on global community trips, as these licensed and mature students serve as strong human resources for health and mentors for students. Partners in Development (PID) highlighted the trip at their annual meeting as one of the most impactful medical trips, as community leaders and staff saw the impact of the work of this team immediately. ABS students presented their work at their Pinning ceremony in December and noted the importance of service learning as it advanced their nursing practice and commitment to social justice.

A major focus for the global endowment’s mission and vision is the incorporation of global health into the undergraduate curriculum across the University, and at the Dean’s request, a global health minor proposal was developed. Seven faculty volunteers helped design this program of study and assisted in selecting elective courses from the university curriculum for this minor. Dean Christopher guided the university process for this work, and faculty incorporated evidence and expert advisement into designing a global health minor. Four core course proposals were developed, including course objectives and an outline for class sessions and select assessments. The global health minor was presented to the College of Nursing's curriculum committee in February 2019 and received approval. The proposal received unanimous support from the University Curriculum Committee in the subsequent weeks. At this time, the minor is in process and is under review by the Board of Trustees.

The creation and approval of this global health minor is a major step forward for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences as this represents the first CNHS directed minor that will be offered to all university undergraduates. The global health minor will afford the opportunity for the CON faculty to share and spread their expertise across the UMass D community and will support the development of a globally minded citizenry among the undergraduate students population.

The Global Health Summit was held in the spring semester and was open to the entire university community. I led this program and engaged a committee of CON faculty to develop and deliver this special program. Global leaders, including Dr. Julia Plotnick, volunteered their time to speak with students on global health, highlighting emerging trends in health and key components for health system strengthening. Partners in Health (PIH) generously allowed us to show their documentary, ‘Bending the Arc’ to our community. Faculty received key course materials that aligned with the summit. UMassD CNHS’s faculty and students who lead current global public health programs presented on their efforts to advance nursing and health care in the Azores, Haiti ,and Mississippi. Feedback from faculty and students alike was strong. Dr. Plotnick spent the entire day on campus and engaged with faculty and students at a special luncheon following the program.

Inspired by our community engagement, Dr. Joia Mukherjee, chief medical officer at PIH, opened dialogue with the CON to develop partnerships with our faculty and students in Liberia. Faculty and Global Master students who expressed interest in this proposal attended two meetings to discuss this opportunity and are engaged in planning for a needs assessment towards the establishment of a partnership. At this time, a proposal is in draft format and is under review by the Dean.

Three lead faculty from UMass Dartmouth’s CNHS presented at the Global Nursing Caucus annual conference in Boston October, 2018. Additionally, graduate and undergraduate students attended this conference and engaged in active dialogue with international global nurse leaders. Professor Street, the Julia and Harold Plotnick Professor of Global Nursing, attended the CUGH annual conference and presented a poster titled '"International nurse faculty partnerships between Western Universities and Colleges and Programs in LMIC– a scoping review."

UMassD CON was represented at the Massachusetts Association of Public Health annual meeting in Worcester and established a connection with the New Bedford Health Department Director and the Associate Commissioner of Public Health for Massachusetts. This connection led to the securement of a $25,000 grant (Street- PI) towards the accreditation of the NBHD, supported by Associate Dean June Horowitz. This work focused on the creation of a community needs assessment, health improvement plan and strategic plan for the Health department. DNP students engaged in this effort throughout the spring semester.

The Coalition to Advance Nursing in Haiti invited UMass D to participate in their leadership council this past winter. Professors Nancy Street and Paula Walsh attended a two-day conference at Regis with this organization. This strong network of donors and leaders from all disciplines serves as a strong and vital network to our college’s success in our work in Haiti.

This second year of the Plotnick Endowment afforded opportunity for expanded outreach and networking for faculty and students and supported the development and advancement of the global health minor. AY 2019-2020 is set for the launch of the minor within the University curriculum. Program development will continue in the coming years including local, national and international global partnerships. Partnerships will benefit colleagues and patients across the world and provide vital learning opportunities for all levels of our students.