Yale School of Nursing (YSN) hosted Scholars’ Day on April 21, an annual celebration of scholarship from Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students.
Associate Dean of Research Xiaomei Cong, PhD, RN, FAAN, provided welcome remarks.
“Today, we have the opportunity to learn from each other, share our research findings, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of nursing,” Dr. Cong said. “I encourage you all to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with one another, to challenge each other’s ideas, and to collaborate on ways to improve nursing practice.”
Dr. Cong also gave the keynote address “Integrating Biobehavioral, Multi-Omic, and Translational Research in Health Promotion.”
Featured Student Presenters
Samuel Akyirem, MRes, RN, made the featured PhD presentation, “Type 2 Diabetes Stigma and Its Association with Clinical, Psychological, and Behavioral Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”
Associate Dean for Global Affairs & Planetary Health LaRon E. Nelson, PhD, RN, FNP, FNAP, FNYAM, FAAN, serves as Akyirem’s advisor and praised his work.
“Samuel cares deeply about these topics and I applaud his efforts to help clinicians recognize how this stigma acts as barriers to care for persons living with Type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Nelson said.
C. Chime Karkhang, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, made the Clinical DNP presentation, “Increasing Transplant Medication Knowledge Through Implementation of a Medication Education Intervention Algorithm.”
Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Director Laura Kierol Andrews, PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC served as her advisor.
“Chime has executed an exemplary piece of evidence-based, translational work,” Dr. Andrews said. “I am confident that her project will make a difference in the delivery of nursing care for recipients of that care.”
M. Dustin Bass, MHA, BSN, RN, CEN, NEA-BC, made the Healthcare Leadership, Systems, and Policy DNP presentation, “Reduction of Unnecessary Emergency Department Visits Through an ED Initiated Advanced Care Program for Vulnerable Patients.”
Mary Ann Camilleri, JD, BSN, RN, FACHE, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Healthcare Leadership, Systems, and Policy DNP program, served as his advisor.
“Dustin’s project was approached through the broad lens of a systems leader, piloting a novel holistic model of advanced ED care in two emergency departments,” Professor Camilleri said. “He worked across boundaries to develop connections to primary care providers and community partnerships to address socially influenced healthcare needs, improving access to care and reducing costs. By reducing unnecessary overutilization, capacity is created for other targeted programs.
“I am so proud of Dustin not only for his executive leadership of this large multidisciplinary initiative but also for his excellent presentation on Scholars’ Day and his continued dedication to this important work.”
Poster Presentations
Explore all the student posters and topics in the poster gallery.
Photo Gallery
Review scenes from 2023 Scholars’ Day at the photo gallery.
PhD Program in Nursing
YSN’s PhD Program in Nursing educates students in research, scholarship, teaching, and leadership, and emphasizes scientific knowledge development that is consistent with YSN’s mission of better health for all people. Chair of the PhD Program M. Tish Knobf ’82 MSN, PhD, RN, FAAN also serves as Director of Graduate Studies and a Professor of Nursing.
Two DNP Options
The school’s first DNP program is the Post-Master’s Healthcare Leadership, Systems, and Policy DNP. The course of study is designed for working nurse administrators aiming to become innovative healthcare leaders in organizational, governmental, and community spheres as they advance their executive practice and shape policy. Program Director Mary Ann Camilleri, JD, BSN, RN, FACHE also serves as a Senior Lecturer in Nursing.
The Post-Master’s Clinical DNP program graduated its inaugural cohort in 2022, and Director Joanne DeSanto Iennaco ’05 MPhil, ‘09 PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN also serves as a Professor of Nursing. The Clinical DNP program is designed for Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) seeking to enhance clinical leadership skills and develop a scholarly based area of clinical expertise within their practice area.
DNP Chair Joan Kearney, PhD, APRN, FAAN, also serves as a Professor of Nursing.
Upcoming DNP Information Sessions
Director Camilleri is hosting a Healthcare Leadership, Systems, and Policy DNP program information session on June 16 at 12 pm. To join via Zoom, please register here.