News & Events
The Latest News and Events in the School of Health Sciences
Dr. Sreelekha Prakash Presents at American Public Health Association Conference
Galloway, N.J. 鈥 Sreelekha Prakash, associate professor of Health Science at 黑料社, is also the president of the New Jersey Public Health Association (NJPHA), where she spearheaded the work on racism being a public health crisis. Her work resulted in the poster, 鈥淓stablishing a Policy for Racism as a Public Health Issue,鈥 which she presented at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Conference on Oct. 24 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Prakash, a clinician, epidemiologist, and health science researcher, shared that 黑料社 is an organizational member of NJPHA. For the policy project, she engaged students from the University鈥檚 Master鈥檚 in Public Health (MPH) class she taught on the research work and evidence to support the policy.
鈥淭he NJPHA鈥檚 annual conference, 鈥楶romoting Healthy Neighborhoods through Civic Engagement for the Public鈥檚 Health in NJ,鈥 allowed 黑料社 students to engage in a panel discussion, as well,鈥 Prakash said. 鈥淭he keynote address was by the APHA president, and the panel participation of students Faith Strina, Melissa Ortiz, and Fallon Deully, with other public health students from New Jersey, was well acknowledged and appreciated.鈥
Additionally, Prakash was selected to the Board of Trustees of the First Public Health Institute in New Jersey in October 2023 and is the chair of the nominating committee and works with local prevention coalitions in the state (Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County (PCMC) and New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)). At the national level, she is on the science boardepidemiology caucus and Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Caucus of APHA.
Her primary research work involves community collaboration with Cape Assist on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) grant work related to Drug Use and Misuse in adolescents and young adults. Research work with faculty on 黑料社鈥檚 Community-Based Social Research Collaborative (CBSRC) involves Maternal and Child Health projects with NJ Birth Equity Funders Alliance (NJBEFA) and NJEDA and on Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Project (GWEP) with SCOSA.
Reported by Mandee McCullough
Dr. Phillip Hern谩ndez Approved as Board Certified Specialist in Child Language and Language Disorders
In May 2023, the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders (ABCLLD) approved Dr. Hern谩ndez as a Board-Certified Specialist in Child Language & Language Disorders. Dr. Hern谩ndez's BCS-CL areas of emphasis include Bilingual Speakers, English as a Second Language, and Cultural & Linguistic Diversity. Clinical Specialty Certification enables a speech-language pathologist who demonstrates advanced knowledge, skills, and experience in a specified area of practice to be formally identified as a Board-Certified Specialist (BCS) in that area of practice. The ABCLLD is approved by the Council on Clinical Certification of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dr. Hern谩ndez is an Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences & Disorders Masters Program at 黑料社.
Integrative Health Minor Graduation Ceremony 2023
The Integrative Health Minor (IHM) graduates of 2023 gathered in the Art Gallery on April 6th to celebrate accomplishments and plans following graduation. The ceremony was led by program coordinator, Dr. Mary Lou Galantino, and joined by IHM faculty and Assessment Coordinator, Dr. Anthony Dissen. Dr. Dissen shared his contributions to the program. Our new Assistant Dean, Dr. Lee Bryant, provided perspectives on the urgent need for interprofessional engagement to serve our society at large in the health professions with special emphasis on diverse communities. Student presentations were highlighted by Jennifer Dorval, vice-president of the Holistic Health Club (HHC), who shared her experiences in the IHM journey. Madison Colombo, the president of the HHC, welcomed future classes to continue momentum of the club and live holistic practices as graduates of 黑料社. A special thank you to Nora Kennedy from the School of Health Sciences who planned a beautiful reception for student graduates, family and friends. Congratulations to all the students.
Larider Ruffin Named Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
Galloway, N.J. 鈥 黑料社 Assistant Professor of Nursing Larider Ruffin has been selected for induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. He is one of 225 distinguished nurse leaders in the world to be recognized this year for their contributions to health and health care.
鈥淭his is an elite group, and it is a well-deserved and impressive honor,鈥 said 黑料社
Associate Dean for Nursing and Chief Nurse Administrator Sheila A. Quinn.
Ruffin earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University, Master of Science in Nursing and Tobacco Treatment Specialization from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Wilmington University.
He is the chair of the MSN and Post-Master鈥檚 Certificate programs at 黑料社 and Chairman & CEO at Ruffin Associates Healthy Housecalls where he maintains clinical practice as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist.
A native of Haiti, he lives in Egg Harbor Township.
Why did you want to become a nurse practitioner?
Becoming a nurse practitioner is one of the best decisions I have ever made in life. Investing in the care and treatment of those in need in the most critical times of their lives is beyond a job, it鈥檚 a calling.
I found nursing to be of particular interest to me at the age of 10, when my mother was sick in a hospital and a male nurse took the time to explain everything to her. That was when I learned a boy could become a nurse. That gentleman was the subject of so many conversations in our home as my mother recovered. He was so important to my family, so I wanted to become important into other people鈥檚 lives.
I chose to become a nurse and later a nurse practitioner because this advanced practice role allowed me the freedom to work independently and yet collaboratively to provide individualized holistic patient-centered care to the most vulnerable populations. I take pride in my philosophy to empower patients to be the driver of their care.
Why did you become a nurse educator?
The nursing profession faces the greatest shortage, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The nursing population is aging, and many of the baby boomers are retiring.
The great news that our population is living longer leads to more people living longer with chronic conditions leading to a greater need of health services. Therefore, the older generation of nurses is depending more on the healthcare system rather than being a part of it. Additionally, the average age of doctorally-prepared nursing faculty is 57, which leads to a decade timeline to leave the workforce.
The nursing shortage is severely driven by the shortage of nursing faculty, and this is expected to worsen. There are millions of qualified students interested in becoming nurses that could easily replace the aging nursing workforce, but their applications are being rejected every day because of the faculty shortage.
In following the utilitarianism principle, I asked myself, how can I make an impact? How can I do the greatest good for the greatest number of people in my community? After pondering on this thought for a few months, it became evident that a contribution to reduce the nursing shortage by becoming a nursing faculty would impact the greatest number of people. Hence, my reason for becoming a nurse educator.
What does being named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing mean to you?
Being named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) is certainly one of the highest honors in nursing internationally. The FAAN program is by invitation-only, and candidates are nominated by fellows for which nominees must detail their achievements and show a substantial amount of work that has significantly impacted and enriched the profession.
The invitation to become a fellow is more than recognition of one's accomplishments within the nursing profession. Academy Fellows also have a responsibility to contribute their time and energies to the Academy, and to engage with other health leaders outside the Academy in transforming America's health system by enhancing the quality of health and nursing; promoting healthy aging and human development across the life continuum; reducing health disparities and inequalities; shaping healthy behaviors and environments; integrating mental and physical health; and strengthening the nursing and health delivery system, nationally, and internationally.
Among the national stars who have been recognized as honorary fellows in 2020 is Dr. Anthony Fauci.
What issues in nursing are most important to you?
As a nurse practitioner and Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist caring for patients with chronic diseases related to smoking and vaping, my work has been disseminated through 12 publications, one book chapter, and 31 national and international presentations with a readership and attendance of over 100,000.
My creation of a Smoking & Vaping Cessation program has been implemented across multiple group practices in New Jersey. Due to the predatory nature of big tobacco an