HJNO Jan/Feb 2023

40 JAN / FEB 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   Healthcare Briefs • An increase from 22 to 27 infusion bays. • An increase in clinic exam rooms from eight to 20. • Semi-private bays with TVs. • Common area treatment space for patients to be in the company of others, if they choose. • Additional private rooms for patients who wish to receive infusions in a quieter environment. This renovation also includes the new Elekta Infinity, an advanced radiation treatment system, which reduces both time and radiation expo- sure from radiotherapy. Through sophisticated computer programming, the system can deliver aggressive treatment more precisely to the tar- get area. This will limit the effects of radiation on healthy cells and enhance the quality of life for patients. New and existing support services areas will all be located on the second floor for patient con- venience, including: • Gym for cancer patients who require phys- ical rehabilitation services or exercise pro- grams as a part of treatment. • Lymphedema management service to reduce pain and swelling caused by lymph node damage. • Dietary consultation area to provide patients with specialized nutritional guidance. • Meditation room to provide patients and loved ones with a place of serenity and reflection. • Multi-purpose space to support patients mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through music and art therapy. • Supporter space where loved ones can comfortably wait for patients and step away for a quiet moment. Dillard University Receives SACSCOC Approval to Offer Graduate Education The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) announced that Dillard University has been approved for substantive change to offer graduate education beginning fall 2023. The approval will move the university from a Level II degree offering institution to a Level III. The Level III status grants the University the ability to offer graduate courses and confer master’s degrees. Dillard has plans to commence its graduate program with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). According to Sharon Hutchinson, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing, the college is in the candidacy application process with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), which is the final step on the university’s road to officially offering an MSN. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) is also aware of the University’s intent to offer master level nursing education. The application to SACSCOC to request a level change was submitted in early fall 2022. Although faculty and administrators led this effort prior to President Rochelle Ford’s arrival at Dillard, she said she is pleased that their work is being recognized. The College of Nursing has hit several milestones since its restructuring began in 2017. It celebrated its 80th anniversary this past October. The college is fully approved by LSBN, has continued accreditation with ACEN until 2025, and its 2021 graduates achieved a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN. Additionally, the college has expanded its simulation skills labs to include a women’s health/maternal-newborn lab and a community health lab. The maternal-newborn lab contains birthing simulators and a newborn section; the community health lab has a dual role for both primary care and home health visits. Although an MSN will be the first master’s degree offered at Dillard, additional master’s programs are under consideration. “We will evaluate the effectiveness of our first degree. Our faculty are developing several additional proposals for master’s degrees. They will undergo thorough evaluation by faculty, the University’s review/approval process, including our Board of Trustees, and then determinations will be made,” said Mablene Krueger, interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management. LCMCHealth, LSU Partner for Nursing Scholars Program LSU Health New Orleans, the LSU Foundation, and LCMC Health announced a partnership to launch the LSU-LCMC Health Scholars Program for nursing students. The nursing program, which provides tuition and fee assistance, is available for eligible LSU nursing students who intend to pur- sue employment at LCMC Health. The inaugu- ral application period was open for eligible LSU students from Nov. 28 through Dec. 9. After the first cycle, the application process will open again twice a year for the next five years. “The LSU-LCMC Health Scholars Program is one of the most important and impactful initia- tives we have to address the nursing shortage, hand in hand with LSU,” said Greg Feirn, CEO, LCMC Health. “By developing a nursing pipe- line, providing financial support to nursing stu- dents, and supporting the expansion of the LSU School of Nursing, the entire community wins. Our investment in this effort will benefit nurses and patients for years to come.” According to the Louisiana Health Works Com- mission and Nursing Supply and Demand Council Report, Louisiana could face an expected short- age of 6,000 registered nurses by 2030 — a short- age of more than 40%. The LSU-LCMC Health Scholars Program will help support nursing needs with plans to: • Enroll more LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing students in the Bacca- laureate programs while also enrolling stu- dents into the pre-nursing program at LSU in Baton Rouge. • Graduate more nurses from traditional and Career Alternative RN Education (CARE) programs. • Alleviate the financial burdens of nursing students. • Onboard scholars as LCMC Health employed nurses into high-need critical vacancy areas. “The support provided by the LSU-LCMC Health Nursing Scholars Program will enable more students to enroll in one of the nation’s top nursing schools,” said LSU Health New Orleans Interim Chancellor Steve Nelson, MD. “LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing is ranked the number 10 nursing school in the U.S. and the number five public nursing school in the country. Addressing the nursing shortage with our grad- uates will bring nursing care of the highest qual- ity to LCMC Health hospitals.” n