Dr. Jean Wyman Elected President-Elect of the Midwest Nursing Research Society

Other nursing faculty and students recognized

Contact:
Laura Stroup
Academic Health Center, 612-624-5680, stro0481@umn.edu

Aneisha Tucker
School of Nursing, 612-626-1817, tucke127@umn.edu

University of Minnesota School of Nursing professor Jean Wyman, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, F.G.S.A., has been elected as president of the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS).

"Dr. Wyman's election as president of MNRS is a clear recognition of her national recognition as an outstanding nurse researcher and leader," said Connie Delaney, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., F.A.C.M.I., dean of the School of Nursing. "It also signifies a national recognition of the research strength and reputation of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. It is especially timely that she will serve as president of MNRS during the School of Nursing's Centennial in 2009, during which the school will host the 2009 MNRS Research Conference," she added.

Wyman's two-year term kicked off at the MNRS 2008 conference, March 28 – 31 in Indianapolis. "I am very honored to be elected as the MNRS president-elect," Wyman said. "This is a dynamic organization that has served as an important function in nurturing promising nurse scientists, building connections between nurse researchers and clinicians throughout the Midwest region who are interested in similar research topics or methodologies, and increasing nursing knowledge through the dissemination of research findings."

The Midwest Nursing Research Society advances the scientific basis of nursing practice and promotes development of nurse scientists. Today, with more than 1,300 members, MNRS has moved to the forefront of promoting, disseminating and utilizing nursing research throughout the Midwest, profoundly influencing the enormous growth in quality and quantity of nursing research for more than 30 years. Wyman's role will involve overseeing the Board of Directors and the initiatives that she and they jointly decide to implement.

"I plan to continue to build upon the excellent mechanisms and initiatives that we have developed over the past three years while I have served on the Board of Directors," Wyman said. "In addition, I hope to continue to strengthen MNRS connections to nurse researchers in the practice community, increasing student participation in MNRS organizational structure, and increasing the visibility and importance of nursing research regionally to other health professionals and consumers."

Other faculty elected to positions at the 2008 conference include Donna Bliss, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., F.G.S.A, who was elected as co-chair of the Gerontological Nursing Research Section; Bonnie Westra, Ph.D., R.N., who was elected chair-elect of the Nursing Informatics Research Section; and Karen Monsen, Ph.D., M.S., R.N., who was elected co-chair of the Public Health/Community Health Research Section. Monsen was also recognized with the Ph.D. Dissertation Award from the Informatics Research Section and received a 2008 New Investigator Seed Research Grant. And Ann Garwick, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, was awarded the senior researcher award for her research focused on promoting the heart health of children, youth, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds who are managing chronic conditions.

School of Nursing students were also recognized; Ann Marie Dose received a dissertation award from the End of Life/Palliative Care Section, and Pamela Nelson received a dissertation award from the Health Seeking Behavior Research Section.

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing is ranked among the nation's top nursing schools. It is a leader in nursing research and has a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of approximately 850 students. The school produces 55 percent of the faculty in Minnesota's public and private nursing schools, advanced practice nurses and nurses who can assume leadership positions. It is the oldest continuously-operated, university-based school of nursing. The School of Nursing is one of six schools and colleges in the Academic Health Center, one of the most comprehensive facilities for health professionals in the nation, fostering interdisciplinary study, research and education. For more information, visit www.nursing.umn.edu.