Looking to the Future with Villanova's Strategic Plan

Genetics Expert Becomes National Resource for Nursing Educators
Dr. Zamerowski’s broad contributions
reflect her commitment to genetics, which
began at the start of her career after her
son Tommy was born with a genetic disorder.
Through her doctoral studies, her
research, her attendance at numerous conferences
and professional meetings, and
her participation in training programs and
continuing-education offerings, she has
advanced her knowledge of genetics.
“As an educator, I have been able to
use this knowledge toward numerous educational
initiatives to advance genetic
knowledge, change attitudes about genetics
and prepare nurses to be competent in
this field.”
For instance, Dr. Zamerowski developed
the required undergraduate Nursing course
Cell Biology and Genetics and the
elective course Genetics for Health
Care Professionals.
Serving as a faculty genetics champion
in this model national program provides
her with a new arena in which to achieve
her goal of ensuring that nursing graduates
emerge as well-prepared professionals who
can contribute to the promotion of health
and the prevention of disease.
“As the era of personalized health
becomes a reality, genetic knowledge will
be of paramount importance for individuals
and health care professionals,” Dr.
Zamerowski said. “Since nurses are widely
represented in health care, they are in a
key position to provide genetics assessment,
education and care.”
In December 2009, Suzanne Tracey
Zamerowski, Ph.D., R.N., associate
professor, was notified by the Genomic
Healthcare Branch of the National
Human Genome Research Institute of
the National Institutes of Health that she
will be one of its genetics nurse education
experts and an invited member of the
Consultation Directory: Genetics/
Genomics Education Exemplar Resources.
The directory will provide a valuable
resource for faculty to access and facilitate
the integration of genetics into their curricula
and education programs. Her commitment
extends through September 2010.
Dr. Zamerowski, a member of the
faculty at Villanova since 1979, has
been teaching genetics for 40 years and
integrating the content through her
maternal-child health and health promotion
specialty areas.
“Personally and professionally, I am
dedicated to the role of genetics as a key
determinant of health,” she said.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Aid Residents in Haiti
Pediatric nurse practitioners Debbie Wimmer ’83 M.S.N., CRNP, assistant clinical
professor (pictured above treating a dehydrated child), and Geri O’Hare ’85 B.S.N.,
M.S.N., R.N., CRNP, traveled to Haiti as part of a group of nurses, PNPs, physicians
and lay volunteers sponsored by Medicines for Humanity. Other Nursing
faculty and alumni who, through various humanitarian organizations, provided
on-site assistance to victims of the earthquake include Barbara Ott, Ph.D., R.N.,
associate professor; Debbie Abraham ’95 M.S.N., R.N.; part-time faculty Ellen
Boyda, M.S., R.N., CRNP; and Barbara Blanchard Murtaugh ’74 B.S.N.
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