Embrace change—and brace for it

It’s been 16 months since I joined Binghamton University as dean of the Decker School of Nursing. When I think about what drew me to this school, it was the idea that I could join an institution that is on the verge of doing some astonishing things. I’m happy to report we have already accomplished — or are on our way to achieving — a number of amazing things at Decker.

Last November, the Kresge Center for Nursing Research welcomed its first visiting scholar, Rosemarie Rizzo Parse, world-renowned nurse theorist. Parse serves as a research consultant and is helping our faculty-scientists enhance research. Four new theory-guided research groups have already been established in the areas of gerontology, telehealth, child wellness and healthy living. These groups are working collaboratively to develop projects and publications related to their areas of focus.

The Kresge Center also launched a lecture series concentrating on nursing science. Our first event was held Sept. 29 and featured Terry Fulmer, president of the John A. Hartford Foundation, a national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults.

We also have a number of curricular changes underway, including increasing our distance-learning offerings, which will bring us in line with other nursing schools nationwide. We’ve spent several months revising our RN-to-BS curriculum, and we’re working to expand our online graduate nursing programs as well.

Another curricular change will take place starting in 2018. To make scheduling easier for our doctoral students, we will hold courses for our PhD in nursing program on Fridays.

In addition, we plan to add undergraduate and graduate programs in areas of applied health and rehab sciences such as health promotion, sports and exercise science, nutrition, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and audiology. At present, we’re designing bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in health sciences and speech pathology.

Future hiring of faculty will be related to these academic programs, especially those associated with the Kresge Center’s research groups.

Finally, planning continues for our move to Johnson City in 2020, when Decker will relocate to the University’s new Health Sciences Campus. Close to this campus is another new Decker initiative, the opening of an eldercare center that will offer primary, podiatric and dental care, among other services, for seniors. This center is also slated to open in 2020.