School Notes: School of Nursing
March/April 2020

Conference produces plan for addressing LGBTQI+ health issues

Dean Ann Kurth ’90MSN, faculty, and staff attended the first national Nursing LGBTQ Health Summit at Columbia University last November. Citing research on sexual minorities, Kurth spoke to how “the LGBTQ population is disproportionately represented in adverse health outcomes across the life course. Nursing can, and must, change this trajectory.” A YSN contingent met with other top US nursing schools, the American Academy of Nursing, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the National Institutes of Health at a two-day conference that resulted in a white paper addressing ways to improve LGBTQI+ health and a national health action plan with recommendations for nursing education, research, and practice. 

Professor honored for published work

Associate Professor of Nursing Marianne Davies ’87MSN, ’00PMC, was honored by Yale New Haven Hospital at the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Appreciation Celebration with their publishing award. This distinction honors a clinically practicing APP who has published or implemented research or initiatives to benefit patients or staff. As a clinically practicing oncology advanced practice nurse, Davies has published work on immunotherapy, the management of immune-related adverse side effects from these therapies, and lung cancer. 

Alumnus wins Fulbright scholarship

Jasper Tolarba ’15DNP was recently named a recipient of the Fulbright Award to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the field of nursing research. Tolarba will spend seven months conducting research with the Jordan University of Science and Technology and visit nursing schools throughout the country.

Professor saluted as outstanding mentor

Marjorie Funk ’84MSN, ’92Pbh, ’92PhD—Helen Porter Jayne and Martha Prosser Jayne Professor Emerita of Nursing—has been honored by the American Heart Association with the Kathleen A. Dracup Distinguished Lecture in Exemplary Career Mentoring Award. The award highlights early-career mentorship in cardiovascular and stroke nursing.