Tusculum College’s School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Human Services will soon graduate its first class from the Master of Science in nursing program. This new graduate program is part of the school’s emphasis on increasing the number of qualified nurse practitioners in area communities and is a significant milestone for the nursing program and Tusculum College.
Dr. Linda Garrett, assistant dean of the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Human Services, has organized a Graduate Advisory Council to act as a liaison between the new nurse practictioner graduate program and the community. The council is comprised of both prominent members of the local medical field and key community members.
“Our nursing programs at Tusculum College are meeting the community’s needs and serving our students well in preparing them for their medical careers,” said Dr. Garrett, who also serves as chairman of the Graduate Advisory Council. “Our new advisory group will play an important role in providing us with a new and trusted resource for feedback from the community and medical professionals. We thank them for agreeing to serve our students and college in this important way.”
Council members include:
- Dr. Elliott B. Smith Jr., medical doctor
- Dr. Douglas Cobble, pediatrician
- Amy Weaver, nurse practitioner at the Greene County Health Department
- Andrea Daniels, community member and program advocate
- Dr. Phil Roe, U.S. Congressman, acting as a community member and medical advisor
- Crystal Jessee, community attorney and advocate for opioid abuse and addiction programs in the greater Greene County area
- Dr. Elizabeth McCord Duncan, medical director at the Greene County Health Department
- Jackie Church, family nurse practitioner in Johnson City
- Dr. Lois Ewen, dean of the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Human Services
- Dr. Linda Garrett, chairman of the Graduate Advisory Council and assistant dean of the School of Nursing , Health Sciences and Human Services
Two student volunteers will also hold positions on the Graduate Advisory Council to act as the voice of the student body, as well as to communicate council information back to the student body at large. The two current student council members are Heather Brown and Erin Stayton.
Council member Jessee said, “The nurse practitioner program is very important to both the school and the greater Greene County area. I am honored to serve as an advisor to the program.”
At the council’s first meeting in July, the group discussed introducing the new program to the community and provided information about the council goals to attendees.
The School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Human Services is expecting to graduate the first class through their first Master of Science in nursing in December, and are looking forward to growing the program and extending the support Tusculum College provides to the local medical community. The Graduate Advisory Council will help ensure that the programs succeed with support and feedback from the region and its citizens.