The School of Nursing Newsletter

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The School of Nursing Newsletter - From the Office of Dean Patricia Starck


June 17, 2009

Double twins at the 25th anniversary celebration

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For those of you who missed my email of the festivities, here’s a summary:

I started reading Gwen’s new book on Reflective Practice in Nursing today and doing some reflection on the past two days of celebrating that shocking number of “ a quarter of a century” of being allowed to serve as Dean of this terrific School of Nursing.  I appreciate so much the planning and thoughtfulness that went into these two days of festivities.  It was a beautiful blend of dignified celebration and gleeful fun.  The life size cut out was a hit, and I was surprised at the people who wanted to have their picture made with it.  My twin daughters wanted a picture with them, myself, and my “twin” that I’m sure will be a hoot.  The chocolate bars wrapped in paper with my face on it was another fun surprise. Of course, I brought some to the grandkids and my 9 year old said it was the best chocolate he had ever eaten!  And when I got home they all said, “Happy Dr. Patricia Starck Day”.  The proclamation by the City of Houston and Harris County was over the top, which shows that I can still be surprised of what is going on behind the scenes!

A very special treat for me was having Laurie sing “I have a dream”.  I told her I had been thinking of getting an iPod (yes, I am behind the times) just so I could get that song on it.  I’m sure we all agree that she and Kathryn, the fantastic accompanist, could make a professional recording.  We also ought to record Laurie and Renae doing their duet of the “Eyes of Texas” Thursday evening—and acapella!

It was an honor to have Dr. Ken Shine here and Dr. Hanneman did a lovely job of planning and handling that session.  He gave us some terrific ideas to contemplate and run with, including “health homes” and an expanded role for advanced practice nurses. To access the video: mms://vstream.uth.tmc.edu/SON/events/Speakers/05-28-09_Shine_Health_Care_Reform.wmv
 
I was so pleased to have the out-of-town visitors and thanks to those of you who invited, planned, coordinated, and helped things go smoothly.  We had a nice dinner Thursday evening with lots of past remembrances about the history of our School.
 
I was wowed that we had about 330 attendees at the luncheon.  The program was extremely well planned and well done and the magnolias made a beautiful theme and table decorations.  I had told my brother in Georgia, “They are calling me a Steel Magnolia; can you believe it?”  He wasn’t surprised.  How pleased I was when I opened the gift from the faculty and found the lovely “magnolia” bowl.  And so glad it is the new material, and not silver that has to be kept polished!

I want to thank each one of you who participated in the planning and work for these festivities—I know a lot of other things were going on.  And I want to thank those of you who were able to come to the lecture and luncheon, and those of you who had to keep things going at the school, including some important classes.

I had a call on Thursday from Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa who thanked me, etc. and I told him it had been a lot of fun.  He said, “Well, there’s more fun to be had”.  And I believe him.  I look forward to continuing to work with all of you.

At the luncheon, the launching of the campaign to raise $2 million to fund the Accelerated PhD in Nursing program began with the announcement that we have $800,000 thus far.  Plans are underway to achieve the goal so that full time students who will receive a $60,000 per year stipend for 3 years with a 3-year payback in teaching obligation.  The cohort would be admitted in Fall 2010.

I am behind on sending the Starck Truth, mainly because so many good things are happening that we are in a whirlwind.  More to come later……


Dean Starck