Talk to Your Alumni Association

lumni Reunion Weekend '98 was a resounding success. The Dialogue of Generations was amusing and informative as members of the Class of 1948, on campus to celebrate their 50th reunion, answered questions from the Classes of 1998 and 1999. Subjects ranged from the routine of daily student life to the pressing issues of physician-nurse relationships. Undergraduates listened and joined the dialogue - making this a whole school event.

The Executive Board is building on this energy. Alumni Association President Patsy Getz, 54N, 58MN, has declared that being in touch with one another is a priority for the year, and we are already getting connected. Alumni volunteers are working with new graduates to ease their transition into new roles and responsibilities. Coffees and desserts are being held in the homes of Atlanta area alumni to encourage informal conversations among people who share the rich tradition of a nursing education here. Nationally, gatherings are being arranged in conjunction with various groups' annual meetings. As faculty travel, they are telephoning local alumni to learn more about your life after Emory and to share news of our school. Let us know if you would like to help with a gathering in your hometown.

There are many nursing developments to talk about. As you will read elsewhere in this issue, the School of Nursing has been approved for a much-needed new building, it has been okayed to offer the doctoral degree in nursing, and a nationwide search is under way for a new dean. Alumni assistance is critical during this exciting period of transition and growth. We could use your help in recruiting outstanding students for the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs - so please spread the word about your alma mater. Annual alumni giving is essential. An annual gift of just $100 (which can be billed for monthly, deducted as a bank draft, or charged to a credit card), would make all the difference.

Remember, January 1 and the time for making New Year's resolutions are just around the corner. Please add supporting your school to your list of good things to do in the coming year. Thank you.

The Award of Honor

Norma Justus Mash, 57N

Through 40 years of an exceptional career - most of it spent at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Ga. - Norma Mash, RN, BSN, CETN, has brought honor to her alma mater through a dedicated and inventive approach to enterostomal care, wound care, and burn care. In recognition of this, she has received numerous honors, including the William Patton Award for Exemplary Contributions from Smith and Nephew, Inc., several citations in Who's Who, and both the President's Award and Woman of the Year Award from the International Association of Enterostomal Therapy. A member of Sigma Theta Tau, Mash has been a leader in the International Association of Enterostomal Therapy and developed the enterostomal therapy program at Kennestone Hospital.

"Norma Mash continues to lecture and consult at a time when others would seek quiet retirement," said Emory Professor Emeritus in Gynecology and Obstetrics Malcolm G. Freeman, 52C, 55M, in nominating Mash for this award. "I believe Norma's professional life is a superb role model for young women and men in nursing."

Distinguished Nursing Achievement

Linda McCollum, 81MN

Linda McCollum, PhD, RNC, CNNP, is neonatal outreach coordinator for Emory's Division of Neonatology and serves as an adjunct clinical faculty member for the School of Nursing. Active in numerous professional organizations and as a leader and role model in the neonatal community, McCollum has worked as regional education coordinator for the Division of Neonatology to promote excellence in neonatal nursing practice and education.

McCollum is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, is cited in Who's Who, and is a two-time recipient of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses' Distinguished Service Award. She became a regional trainer for the state's Neonatal Resuscitation Program at the program's onset in 1988 and established this standard of care for resuscitating newborns throughout Georgia. Additionally, she developed a course to teach neonatal nurses how to adapt their care to provide better outcomes. She has served with various professional neonate organizations and coordinates the Neonatal Advanced Practice Conference in Atlanta each spring.

NOVEMBER 9, 1998

Cheryl Dittman Potter
Distinguished Oncology Lectureship

DECEMBER 2, 1998

Research Roundtable

JANUARY 14-16, 1999

"Pain and Sleep: A Critical Interface"

The Hugh P. Davis Lecture

FEBRUARY 1999

Regional NAA Gathering

FEBRUARY 3, 1999

Research Roundtable

MAY 1999

Regional NAA Gathering

e invite you to check out our new 12-minute student recruitment video, now available on the Internet at http://www.nurse.emory.edu/WELCOME/ . . . and if you like what you see, please pass the Web address on to a prospective student. If you haven't visited our Web site for a while (or ever!), please take a look around while you're logged on - it's been completely redesigned in the past few weeks. Let us know what you think!