June 25, 2026

Dr. Blake McGee's research article has been accepted for publication in Nursing Outlook, which has an impact factor of 3.8. The article focuses on the effects of nursing staff disparities in nursing homes. Dr. McGee has also recently been highlighted for his NIH grant, the national presentation of early results from that NIH-funded work, and his Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators.

Kang, Y. J., Nielsen, K., McGee, B., & Xu, H. (in press). Nurse staffing disparities in nursing homes: Effects of community distress level and COVID-19. Nursing Outlook.

Dr. Langley-Brady recently attended the American Holistic Nurses Association Awards Banquet in Niagara Falls, New York. At the event, she was awarded the very competitive 2026 AHNA Research Grant Award of $5,000 to fund Nursing in Pain: A mixed Methods Study. We can't wait to hear all about it!

With Dr. Elena Dent, our very own Dr. Walters will present her abstract at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Conference this November in Orlando, FL. The presentation is on their work with the lifestyle medicine curriculum and Augusta Locally Grown Food is Medicine program and is titled, Building Trust and Health: A Community Champion Model for Lifestyle Medicine Delivery.

Dr. Glenn presented at the 2026 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions on innovating diabetes care in rural Georgia. This was done in partnership with Emory Global Diabetes Research Center and the Georgia Center for Diabetes Translation Research. Thank you for the important work that you do!

Dr. Martin will be speaking for the PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association of California virtual conference in July! This is a great opportunity for nurses all over the country, and members of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses will receive a discounted rate. The event will take place on July 18th from 8 AM - 3 PM. Thank you, Dr. Martin, for sharing your expertise on a national scale! View the flyer and more information here.

She also recently received the Outstanding Faculty Award from AU's Graduate School. "Her warmth and presence help students feel seen, supported, and motivated to excel."

Dr. Montana Robertson presented her Capstone presentation titled "ADKAR Model: Novice Nurse Faculty Mentorship Program Fostering Retention and Belonging" on June 9th, 2026 at the ACE symposium Pre-Conference in Charlotte, NC and has been inducted into the 2026 Class of Fellows for the Access, Connection and Engagement Leadership Institute at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Drs. Bertrand and Young recently attended the AACN Access, Connection, Engagement Symposium. They had the opportunity to present on Pathways to Educational Excellence: Innovation, Access, and Success in which they spoke on Utilizing a "Student Learning Community" in a Diverse Population of Prelicensure Nursing Students. Thank you for the wonderful representation for our college!

BSN class of 2027 student, Macie Mauldin, was selected to receive an AU Faculty Club Scholarship of $2,000. She was previously named on the Fall 2025 President's List, meaning that she maintained a 4.0 GPA. The scholarship committee was very impressed by her application and Macie is grateful to the faculty who selected her. "The support I have received continues to inspire me to strive for excellence, both academically and professionally. I am sincerely thankful for this opportunity and for the confidence that this scholarship represents in my future as a nurse."

Drs. Colleen Walters and Diane Robillard led an incredible study abroad trip for our DNP students. In partnership with University of the Highlands and Islands, our students listened to lectures from UHI faculty researchers, learned about rural healthcare delivery in this population, and visited various hospitals and clinics in the area. They also had some free time to explore lochs, castles, and museums! View all the photos here.

Even in the summer, our MSN students are busy preparing to be excellent nurses. One component of the summer semester is simulation practice at our SPEAR Center! Check out a recent case they worked on here.

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the Augusta CNL Class of 2027! We had the opportunity to meet around 70 students who will be joining us in the Fall. A huge thank you to interim chair, Dr. Jake Higgins, program director, Dr. Jennifer Broxton, and program manager Jean-Marie Smith.

June 22nd marked the first day of the President's Summer Tour. Starting in Athens, President Keen spent time with alumni, students, community leaders, and healthcare partners. We are so proud of our MSN students for their participation and representing us so well!

Join us as we celebrate the Summer graduates from our Nursing Anesthesia Program. We are thrilled to have Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson as our guest speaker!

Date: August 3, 2026
Time: 10 AM
Location: Maxwell Theater

The Greenblatt Library will be adding additional hours of service to allow students and patrons earlier access to the building at the hours posted below. Students do not have to card swipe as the door will be programmed to open according to the new operational schedule. There are no changes to Reese Library. Security will be present from 6 am - 8 am weekday mornings, and library services will begin at 7 am.

As of June 29th
M-T, 6 am - 1 am
F, 6 am - 5 pm
Sat, 8 am - 5 pm
Sun, 10 am - 1 am

The Costa Layman Health Fair is a gem for service-learning and rural healthcare delivery. This event has achieved local, state, national and international prominence and was part of the university's achievement for Carnegie status this year.

Date: July 10th
Location: 73 Greenhouse Rd, Trenton, SC
Time: 6 AM - 3 PM

PhD students Cheryl O'Connell, Amy Malcom, and Lawanda Greene will be defending their dissertations next month. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the public presentations. Check out the flyer here for more information!

Cheryl O'Connell - 7/13 @ 9 AM via Zoom


Amy Malcom - 7/14 @ 9 AM via Zoom


Lawanda Greene - 7/15 @ 1 PM via Zoom

The Healthy Grandparents Program clinic is a signature community outreach project for the CON. Our students will be working alongside campus-wide interprofessional teams of experts to promote the health and well-being of the families enrolled in the program.

Date: July 23rd
Location: JSAC Ballroom, Summerville
Time: 10 AM - 6 PM

Lynn Glenn, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Nursing Science, is taking her research outside of the College of Nursing to meet patients where they are. Her research focus centers on diabetes prevention, screening and early detection. Her newest interdisciplinary project brings diabetes screenings to high risk populations.

Beth NeSmith, PhD, has been associated with Augusta University and its legacy institutions for 40 years. From starting out as a bedside nurse in the emergency department, which she called some of the most fulfilling work she's ever done, to working with mentors and becoming a mentor herself, NeSmith has cherished every opportunity that's been presented to her.

Nursing students from America are visiting the Highlands to learn about innovative approaches to healthcare delivery in rural and remote communities. Doctoral nursing students and faculty members from AU CON have been welcomed by UHI as part of an international collaboration aimed at strengthening the rural healthcare workforce.

Please send your submissions for Nursing Notes to Nina Sligar by 2 p.m. on the 20th of each month. 

Nursing Notes is a publication of the Office of the Dean of the College of Nursing.

This email was sent to College of Nursing faculty, staff and students.

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