Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing News

Frontier Nursing Service Quarterly Bulletin, Spring 2004 by Stone, Susan

There is much excitement in the air as we confidently prepare for our SACS (regional) accreditation site visit in july. We are making the final touches on the voluminous reports required and have already started preparation for the accreditation site visits by the National League for Nursing and the American College of Nurse-Midwives scheduled for October 4, 2004. These evaluations are critical steps toward our goal of becoming a fully accredited Graduate School offering a Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN) with a specialty in Nurse-Midwifery or Family Nurse Practitioner or both. Most important to all of us here, however, is that we will have fulfilled Mary Breckinridge's vision for the school when she established it in 1939.

The accreditation process has been an arduous, five-year journey. It has been worth all the effort as we have all learned a great deal. Dr. Carol Panicucci, FSMFN Coordinator of Graduate Education, has been instrumental in this process. She has not only been a great teacher but also an enduring source of inspiration and information. The accreditation process has assisted us in evaluating and improving all aspects of the School from curriculum to facilities to accounting.

There are a number of changes in the wonderful Hyden support staff, the most significant of which is the retirement of the school Registrar of 28 years, Jeanette Woods. Jeanette's attention to detail has been at the center of the satisfaction expressed by students and faculty over the years. It is perhaps best stated by a grieving staff: "Jeanette knows everything there is to know about the School. She is like a history book. She knows every graduate. She evens remembers what they look like. She loves Frontier.

She is one of those people that can never really be totally replaced." But Sherri Davis, former Academic Resource Coordinator, has bravely stepped up to the Registrar's plate to learn the ropes under Jeanette's tutelage.

Vicky Riley, Financial Aid Officer for five years, is leaving to pursue the completion of her Social Work studies. judy Pennington, Executive secretary for 11 years, is stepping into the Financial Aid Officers position. Both judy Pennington and Sherri Davis will be attending the training sessions of the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in Florida in june.

Billie Couch, born and raised in Hyden, a graduate of Leslie County High School and student member of the "Future Business Leaders of America", came from the Medical Records Department of Mary Breckinridge Hospital to fill the position of secretary/Receptionist at the School. see photo of Billie on next page.

Justin Rice, another Leslie County native and graduate of Spencerian College in Lexington, is the newest member of the Multimedia Team. he joins Jesse Heseman and Cherie Bunch as a multimedia coordinator under the leadership of Heather East, a resident of Perry County, who holds a bachelor's degree in Radio-TV Communications from Morehead State University. Leslie County resident, Frank Baker, also a graduate of Spencerian College who works as the Computer Technician for all the FNS companies, assists the multimedia team. This talented team has completed the web-based instruction for all courses and is currently working on a greatly expanded communication and information system. see photo of multi-media team on next page.

Jeanna Couch, also a Leslie County native, is replacing Ellen Schellhause as our full-time Librarian. Ellen, who worked very hard for us for one year, has decided to move back north. Jeanna is a graduate student at the University of Kentucky and will complete her advanced library studies in December 2004. Bet Ison of Morehead, Kentucky, assists her in her work. Bet is a Master Librarian who will be assisting Jeanna as she strives to both finish her education and continue the development of library services at FSMFN. see photo of Jeanna on next page.

It is very hard to have some of our devoted and loyal employees leaving us. They will always be considered members of the Frontier family. At the same time, these changes have brought a burst of new energy and ideas to our School. We are excited and look forward to great success as we head toward the future.

by Dr. Susan Stone, President & Dean